On Wednesday, February 18, 2026, the Director of the Minnesota Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility filed a petition for disciplinary action against attorney Jason M. Hastings.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Jason M. Hastings.”
The allegations against Hastings stem from his representation of a client, identified as A.P., in a custody dispute involving her child with J.D. During the case, J.D. sought a modification of custody, asserting that the child’s emotional and mental well-being was compromised under the existing arrangement. He proposed relocating the child to a school closer to his residence and adjusting the parenting schedule accordingly. The court had scheduled an evidentiary hearing for July 13, 2023.
In preparation for this hearing, Hastings drafted a motion to address A.P.’s request to move and change schools for the child, while also proposing an interview with the child regarding school preferences. However, during this process, A.P. provided Hastings with revisions to the affidavit he had prepared, emphasizing details that highlighted the benefits of the relocation and raising criticisms about J.D.’s choice of school. Hastings rejected these changes without proper discussion and signed A.P.’s electronic name on the affidavit without her consent, also notarizing this signature.
This action led to the filing of the affidavit on June 14, 2023, without A.P.’s approval, and Hastings failed to inform her that it had been submitted. A.P. later testified that the filed affidavit did not accurately reflect her intentions.
The petition alleges that Hastings violated multiple rules of professional conduct, including inadequate communication with A.P. and dishonest representation of her signature, prompting a request for appropriate disciplinary measures from the court.
The petition states:
“WHEREFORE, the Director respectfully prays for an order of this Court imposing appropriate discipline, awarding costs and disbursements pursuant to the Rules on Lawyers’ Professional Responsibility, and for such other, further or different relief as may be just and proper.”
According to Avvo.com, Mr. Hastings is a divorce and separation attorney in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. He attended the University of North Dakota School of Law, graduating in 1999. He acquired his law license in Minnesota in the same year.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
