🎬 Clerked Out: The Heather Benedict Story

One signature. Eight years. Still missing.

I can finally share something I’ve been holding back:
My story is being documented.

That’s right — a filmmaker has picked up the case. For the past several months, I’ve been followed as I fight to get one missing court order entered into the record — and in doing so, expose a pattern of misconduct, obstruction, and institutional betrayal at the highest levels of Pierce County government.

This isn’t fiction. It’s not dramatized. And it’s not over.

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📜 Clerked Out — What It’s About

In 2012, I lost my mom.
In 2016, I stood before the Pierce County Superior Court with a final signed probate order.
But the order was never entered. Never docketed. It vanished.

Since then, I’ve fought alone:

• Filing motions

• Researching statutes

• Uncovering unauthorized government interference in private probate

• Confronting a court system that turned inward to protect itself instead of the public

The Clerk’s Office crumbled around me. Staff quit. Whistleblowers were silenced. State audits revealed financial chaos. Then, a political insider — not publicly confirmed — was installed as interim clerk without any lawful vote.

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🎥 Why Clerked Out Matters Now

It’s not about just one court order anymore.
It’s about what happens when courts won’t obey their own rules — and what it takes for one woman to hold them accountable.

This documentary, tentatively titled Clerked Out: The Heather Benedict Story, follows my real journey — not just in courtrooms, but across every forum I’ve used to demand justice:
🎙️ Pierce County Council
📜 Federal courts
📬 Public complaints
📽️ And now, the public eye

The County can no longer deny what I’ve documented:

• A missing record

• A violated Constitution

• A clerk's office run by political appointment, not public authority

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👀 What Comes Next

The cameras are rolling. The record is clear. The public is waking up.

I’ll be releasing behind-the-scenes updates and early clips from filming as this project develops. Until then, Pierce County should know:

I am still here.
I am still pro se.
And I am no longer alone.

#ClerkedOut
#HeatherBenedictStory
#PierceCountyAccountability #RyanMello #PierceCounty 

#OneSignatureStillMissing

Clerked Out, Called Back

Two orders gone, they thought I’d fade

A silent clerk, a rigged parade

But I got louder every year

I made the truth what they all fear

(Chorus)

I’m not done

I’m not backing down

Clerked out — but I wear the crown

One voice, no robe, no spin

This time I get docketed in

Still standing

Still calling them out

This is the part where I turn it around

Mello Knew. Mello Ignored. — The Song They Can’t Silence

Eight years ago, I stepped into a Pierce County courtroom expecting justice. My mother’s final probate orders were signed by Commissioner Karena Kirkendoll in open court—stamped “Filed.” But they vanished. Never entered. Never recorded. And I’ve been searching for answers ever since.

What followed was a cover-up. Denial. Silence. I was gaslit. Locked out of court. Punished by unlawful orders that never should’ve existed.

This isn’t just about one document. It’s about Pierce County’s failure to protect the rights of the dead—and the living.

In May 2025, County Executive Ryan Mello authorized over $1 million in taxpayer dollars to quietly pay off the Clerk Constance White who failed to fix this mess—without accountability, without transparency, and without justice for the families left in the wreckage.

So I created something they can’t ignore.

🎥 Watch the music video:
👉 “Mello Knew. Mello Ignored.”

This anthem is more than a song. It’s a voice for every family who trusted the courts. It’s a battle cry for every daughter who watched the system erase her mother’s name from history. And yes—it’s personal.

Because I am the great-granddaughter of Elsie Lincoln Benedict, a suffragist who spent eight years traveling the country demanding that women be given the right to vote. I’ve now spent eight years demanding this county give my mother a rightful record in death.

Like Elsie, I will not go home until the fight is done.

Thank you for listening.
Thank you for sharing.
And thank you for standing with me in restoring justice in Pierce County.

#PierceCounty #RyanMello #ProbateCorruption #PublicRecords #MelloKnewMelloIgnored #ClerkCoverUp #WashingtonState #TaxpayerJustice #MissingProbateOrder #JusticeForFamilies  #PierceCountyCouncil #TransparencyMatters #MusicAsActivism

 

Judge Recusal

April 27, 2025: Tonight, I'm not writing about quiet moments of self-care. Instead, I'm writing about the stark realization that true justice might not be possible in Pierce County Superior Court—not without calling out the problematic ties that undermine it.

Today, I formally demanded that Visiting Judge Cadine Ferguson-Brown recuse herself from presiding over the case involving the Estate of Leeanna Ruth Mickelson. Why? Because ethical lines have been crossed, impartiality has been compromised, and the interconnected web of relationships in Pierce County's judicial system is too tangled to ignore.

Here’s the troubling reality:

Back in October 2017, Judge Frank Cuthbertson recused himself from my mom's probate case, explicitly citing impartiality concerns and calling for a visiting judge.  I recall my own ex parte communication with him May of 2016, as then presiding judge, when the final decree of my late mom's went missing; he had never heard of that happening in the clerk's office and promised he would look into it. Later, he would be assigned the matter, rule a visiting judge to be assigned, then recused himself entirely; the issue was never fixed. In March 2025, it was determined by presiding judge Susan Adams that a visiting judge would need to be assigned and as a result, Kitsap County Superior Court Judge Ferguson-Brown was assigned. Yet, despite this clear recognition of conflict, Judge Cuthbertson recently made a campaign contribution to Judge Cadine Ferguson-Brown—the same visiting judge now presiding over the identical, unresolved issue he once stepped away from. This connection creates an undeniable appearance of bias.

Further complicating matters, Judge Clarence Henderson—who succeeded Judge Cuthbertson upon his retirement over Department 21—is overseeing the reassignment of my case, even though he has openly expressed admiration and mentorship ties to Judge Cuthbertson. The court’s own policy calls for impartiality, yet here we are, with layers of personal and professional connections that can't be brushed aside.

How can anyone expect fairness in such a situation?

The Pierce County Superior Court itself acknowledged, through a letter from Judicial Coordinator Cristina Platt, that no local judge could impartially hear this case, thus assigning a visiting judge. Yet, inexplicably, Judge Ferguson-Brown was chosen, despite receiving recent financial backing from Judge Cuthbertson.

These aren’t just technicalities; they're ethical breaches that erode trust and integrity in our judicial system. I'm fighting not just for myself, but for anyone navigating the courts in Pierce County, hoping for fairness, transparency, and genuine impartiality.

Justice isn’t possible when the system itself is compromised by personal connections and campaign contributions. Enough is enough.

So tonight, I'm standing up, speaking out, and demanding accountability—starting with Judge Ferguson-Brown's immediate recusal. The integrity of our courts is too important to overlook these conflicts.

If you've ever felt silenced by a tangled web of connections, know you're not alone. Real change begins when we shine a light on the places where fairness has faded. 

– Heather

Recused Judge Frank Cuthbertson donated $200 to the "Committee to Retain Cadine Ferguson-Brown" on April 19, 2025, to which she presides over a matter in Pierce County that he recused himself in 2017.

Recused Judge Frank Cuthbertson, replaced by Judge Henderson who looks up to Judge Cuthbertson, donated to Kitsap County Superior Court Judge Ferguson-Brown's campaign in April 2023, who in April of 2025 is presiding over the same probate motion he recused himself from and ruled for a visiting judge. There needs to be zero ties to Judge Cuthbertson, as he failed to fix the error in the clerk's office of a hearing failing to demand the public record to show a clerk's minute entry and file two orders from May 16, 2016.  I don't believe Judge Ferguson-Brown can be impartial, sadly, given the $200 receipt.

A Balcony, A Taco, and the First Breath of Peace in 9 Years

Tonight, I made wild-caught cod tacos, poured a glass of white wine, and sat outside on my balcony.

That probably sounds small—but for me, it was monumental. It was the first time in over two years that I’ve sat outside at home, eaten something I made with care, and felt safe enough to be still.

For the past nine years, I’ve been stuck in a relentless loop of fight-or-flight. Probate court battles, attorneys gaslighting me, and the lingering ache of losing my mom turned my nervous system into a battleground. My focus has been survival—mentally, legally, emotionally. Not healing. Not joy. Not dinner on the balcony.

But tonight, I chose different.

I walked to Trader Joe’s. I picked the cod because it looked clean, wild, fresh—like the version of me I want back. I seasoned it simply, crisped it in a pan, and added slaw, avocado, and lime on corn tortillas. Then I stepped out onto the balcony with my plate and a chilled glass of wine, and I just... sat.

I listened to birds. I felt the breeze. My dog Scooter sat nearby, quietly present. My mind didn’t race. My stomach wasn’t clenched. My jaw wasn’t locked.

There was no court hearing. No bar complaint. Just me, a plate of tacos, and a moment that said: you’re coming back to yourself.

I didn’t expect tacos to feel like a personal revolution—but they did.

And I want more of that.

So this post is the first in what I hope is a new chapter of Cabomama.com—one where I start to share the healing after the war. I may still post about probate battles (trust me, some people deserve exposure), but I also want to share the moments that stitch my life back together.

If you’re coming out of your own long fight, I hope you’ll take one moment for you. Eat outside. Light a candle. Choose the good fish.

You deserve to breathe again too.

Earlier today, I received an email from Ken Luce — the 86-year-old attorney who has fought for nine years to bury my mom’s will and exhaust me. He says he won’t attend tomorrow’s deposition. He’s rattled. He’s wrong. And he’s finally feeling the pressure I’ve carried for too long. I didn’t send him fear. I sent him a notice. And then I made tacos.

Healing and accountability can co-exist — one breath, one bite, one court order at a time.

– Heather

Motion for Discretionary Review - Probate Matter

June 5, 2024 - Motion for Discretionary Review 

Source: TV Washington https://tvw.org/video/division-2-court-of-appeals-2024061090/?eventID=2024061090

The Court of Appeals Division 2 heard my motion for discretionary review, which centers on whether Pierce County Superior Court has the authority to scrutinize a personal representative's deed that was executed under the jurisdiction of King County Superior Court.

As the petitioner, I am fighting to overturn the continuance orders issued by Pierce County Superior Court. My argument is straightforward: no proceedings should take place without explicit permission from King County Superior Court, which has exclusive jurisdiction over my late mother's estate.

I firmly believe that Pierce County’s actions are not only invalid but also inappropriate, as they go against the standing orders from King County. All actions related to the estate must be approved by Commissioner Henry Judson of King County.

Supporting my position, my sister shared the personal and financial toll the ongoing litigation has inflicted on our family. She stressed the importance of adhering to King County's jurisdictional orders. She emphasized the need for family reunification and highlighted the detrimental impact of the continued legal battles orchestrated by the opposing counsel.

Christopher M. Constantine, associated with Ken Luce of Luce & Associates, represented the opposing side, the belief the surviving spouse gets everything by defending the interests of James Mickelson. He argued the validity of the community property agreement and the necessity for Pierce County to examine the personal representative's deed.

Mr. Constantine claimed that I misinterpreted the scope of the King County order and maintained that Pierce County has the right to review the deed in question.

I reiterated the jurisdictional error and explained my inability to file electronically due to restrictions in Pierce County.

The commissioner acknowledged the complexity of the case, noting the involvement of numerous judicial officials. The decision will be issued in a written ruling after considering all arguments presented. The court's forthcoming decision will determine the next steps in resolving the estate's legal disputes and will hopefully bring clarity to this convoluted situation.

Complaint: Sharon Rheinschild Unauthorized Practice of Law Washington State May 18, 2024

May 18, 2024

Dear Washington State Practice of Law Board,

I am writing to file a formal complaint against Sharon Rheinschild for engaging in the unauthorized practice of law. Attached to this email, please find my completed Unauthorized Practice of Law (UPL) Complaint Form in PDF format.

On April 18, 2024, during a hearing in the Superior Court of Pierce County, Washington (Cause Number: 16-4-00861-8), Sharon Rheinschild, a paralegal for Kenyon E. Luce, appeared on behalf of Mr. Luce, despite not being authorized to practice law. Audio of hearing below: 

Mr. Luce did not attend the hearing or give proper notice of his absence. Instead, Ms. Rheinschild represented his motion as mine, which the court had to correct. She cited Mr. Luce’s doctor's appointment as the reason for his absence. Proper procedure would have been for Mr. Luce to file for a continuance or make appropriate arrangements, rather than sending someone unauthorized to practice law. This raises significant concerns about Mr. Luce's character and fitness, especially considering his advanced age and possible senility.

Furthermore, there is an additional concern regarding the "unofficial" appearance of Kenyon E. Luce for Erik and Scott Michelson (sic, Mickelson) in legal matters. It is troubling to presume that Sharon Rheinschild might be behind such actions, possibly filing documents without running them by Mr. Luce. This questionable practice results in a bar complaint against Mr. Luce and puts Erik and Scott Mickelson in a precarious position, risking the loss of their land.

This situation underscores the need for thorough investigation to ensure that the integrity of the legal process is maintained and that unauthorized practice is appropriately addressed.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response and any further steps necessary to address these serious concerns.

Please find attached my completed UPL Complaint Form in PDF format, along with the April 29, 2024 Answer filed in the Washington State Court of Appeals Division 2 stating the "unofficial" representation of Erik and Scott Mickelson

 

Bar Complaint: Christopher Constantine #1165 GRIEVANCE AGAINST A LAWYER May 18, 2024

 

GRIEVANCE AGAINST A LAWYER

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Date Received:	5/18/2024 8:45:34 PM
Confirmation Number:	202405180003

INFORMATION ABOUT YOU	INFORMATION ABOUT THE LAWYER
Name: Heather Benedict Address: 453 S Spring Street, Ste 400 PMB1501 Los Angeles, CA 90013 USA	License Number: 1165 Name: Christopher Constantine Address: PO Box 7125 Tacoma, WA 98417 USA Phone Number: (253) 752-7850 Email Address: ofcounsl1@mindspring.com

INFORMATION ABOUT THE GRIEVANCE

Describe your relationship to the lawyer who is the subject of your grievance:	I am an opposing party.
If your grievance involves a court case:
Case Name: Estate of Leeanna Ruth Mickelson File Number: 164008618 Court Name: Pierce County Superior Court
Explain your grievance in your own words. Give all important dates, times, and places.
Dear Office of Disciplinary Counsel, I am writing to file a complaint against attorney Christopher Martin Constantine, WSBA License Number 11650. My complaint concerns potential violations of the Washington Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC) and relevant statutes, specifically related to misleading representations, failure to provide notice, lack of a physical address, and questionable legal practices. Summary of Grievance: Misleading Representations: Mr. Constantine uses the firm name "OF COUNSEL INC, P.S." in his Notice of Association, capitalizing it inconsistently with his registration ("of Counsel Inc PS"). This interchangeability could be misleading and may violate RPC 7.1 and 7.5. He represents himself as the "Attorney for James Mickelson" while also signing on behalf of Luce & Associates, P.S., implying two firms are representing James Mickelson without clear employment status. Failure to Provide Notice: The Notice of Association was filed on May 7, 2024, at 3:08 PM, just 22 minutes before the hearing start time. No declaration of service was provided, and no notice was given to the heirs. This lack of proper notice could be considered a violation of procedural rules and ethical obligations. Lack of Physical Address: The Notice of Association does not include a physical address, violating RCW 4.28.210, which requires an attorney's notice of appearance to include their address for service. Additionally, Mr. Constantine's public mailing address with the WSBA is a PO Box, not a physical address, which may contravene WSBA Bylaws Section III(C). Questionable Legal Practices: In the Court of Appeals Answer to a Response filed on April 29, 2024, the cover page states that Kenyon Luce is "Unofficially the attorney of law for Erik and Scott Mickelson." It is unknown whether Mr. Constantine ghostwrote this document, but the disclaimer of "unofficial" representation raises serious concerns about the legitimacy and transparency of the legal representation provided by the Luce Law Firm and Mr. Constantine. The use of the term "unofficial" representation suggests a potential violation of RPC 8.4(c) regarding conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation. It undermines the integrity of the legal process and could be seen as an attempt to circumvent ethical and legal standards. Relevant Rules and Statutes: RPC 7.1 – Communications Concerning a Lawyer’s Services: Prohibits false or misleading communication about the lawyer or the lawyer’s services. RPC 7.5 – Firm Names and Letterheads: Prohibits the use of a firm name, letterhead, or other professional designation that is false or misleading. RPC 8.4 – Misconduct: It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation. RCW 4.28.210 – Notice of Appearance: Requires an attorney's notice of appearance to include their address, to which all papers may be served. WSBA Bylaws Section III(C): Requires members to furnish a “physical residence address” and a “principal office address.” For members residing outside Washington, a physical street address of a designated resident agent within Washington is required. Detailed Explanation: Misleading Representations: Mr. Constantine’s use of "OF COUNSEL INC, P.S." and his representation as an associate of Luce & Associates, P.S., without clear employment status, could mislead the court and parties about his professional affiliations. This interchangeability may violate RPC 7.1 and 7.5 by creating confusion about the nature of his practice. Failure to Provide Notice: The Notice of Association filed on May 7, 2024, just 22 minutes before the hearing, did not include a declaration of service, nor were the heirs notified. This last-minute filing without proper notice could be considered a violation of procedural rules and ethical obligations. Lack of Physical Address: Mr. Constantine's notice lacks a physical address, violating RCW 4.28.210. Additionally, his WSBA profile lists a PO Box rather than a physical address, which may contravene WSBA Bylaws Section III(C), requiring a physical address for service and communication. Questionable Legal Practices: The Court of Appeals document filed on April 29, 2024, where Kenyon Luce is described as "Unofficially the attorney of law for Erik and Scott Mickelson," raises significant concerns. This "unofficial" representation suggests potential violations of RPC 8.4(c) and undermines the integrity of the legal process. It is also unclear if Mr. Constantine ghostwrote this document, which could further implicate him in unethical conduct. I request that the Office of Disciplinary Counsel investigate this matter to determine if Mr. Constantine's conduct violates the RPC and relevant statutes. The integrity of the legal process and the ethical standards of the profession must be upheld. Thank you for your attention to this matter.