The Special Deputy Receiver for NPS recently reported the company’s “negative net worth” to be just short of one billion dollars. Rightfully, regulators are looking at the NPS fiduciaries for culpability in the losses that will be sustained by consumers and funeral homes in the years to come. In the meantime, Missouri state officials are working
national prearranged services
NPS Providers: Your New Management Team
On June 8th, Donna Garrett, the Special Deputy Receiver for the NPS affiliates, filed with the Texas Travis County Court an application for fees. The application includes a schedule of fees that will be charged by the subcontractors to be utilized by the SDR. The filing would seem to indicate the law firm of…
The NPS Class Action Lawsuit: James & Gahr
The class action lawsuit brought against the NPS affiliates on Friday, June 20th reflects the despair that some funeral directors are experiencing over the situation. Although litigation to recover assets from the Cassity Empire was inevitable, this lawsuit has flaws that need to be corrected through an organized effort brought by the states’ regulators.
Funeral…
The First Salvo: Nixon and the NPS affiliates
In what may prove to be a lengthy legal proceeding, Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon filed suit against Forever Network, Inc., an affiliate of National Prearranged Services (NPS). While the suit may duplicate the injunctions effected by the Agreed Order obtained by the Texas Department of Insurance, consumers should take comfort by the fact Mr. Nixon has begun taking action.
While it…
Suspect Business Practices?
It is not a good sign when our regulators communicate by letter. Friday’s Post Dispatch story underscores the friction that exists among some of the regulatory agencies caught in the NPS fiasco.
In one aspect, the letter is intended to demonstrate that the Missouri Attorney General’s Office is dependent upon the State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors and the…
Say Again? Texas’ Rule 11 Agreement
I will preface this blog entry by stating that I do not fault the Texas Department of Insurance for the Rule 11 Agreement if giving up litigation against NPS/Lincoln Memorial (and the various individuals) was the price extracted for gaining control of the companies and the preneed records. Someone needed to take action, and I…
Waiting for the other shoe(s) to drop
Funeral directors will attempt to leverage the Funeral Service Insider’s report about the NPS contributions to state politicians, but they should do so with caution.
The story does not paint the entire picture of NPS’ efforts to influence the politics that controlled Missouri’s preneed industry. The amount attributed to the Missouri efforts ($168,000) seems low. Granted it…
Texas Hold’em: The Rule 11 Agreement
The Cassitys have a rearguard strategy after all.
The Texas Department of Insurance paid a price for gaining control of NPS and its sister insurance companies: A Rule 11 Agreement. Texas has agreed to not bring litigation against the companies, or various individuals and firms related to NPS. A very steep price, but…
Missouri Preneed Reform: Act 2
As news of the NPS meltdown began to leak last month, several proposals to reform Missouri’s preneed law were hastily drafted. Not knowing the extent of NPS’ problems, some reform advocates felt the need to strike while the iron was hot.
Even as the legislative session ended on May 16th, it was not clear whether…
The Emperor Has No Clothes!
One positive aspect of Texas appointing a “Rehabilitator” for NPS and its sister insurance companies is the emergence of a single authority over the NPS empire, a godfather so to speak. Rather, a Godmother.
Funeral directors have been chasing legislators, regulators, government officials, and judges for help. This is quite understandable when your entire preneed program was…