When an attorney who is not the subject of a disciplinary investigation or proceeding is unable to practice law, is deceased or is otherwise unable to adequately protect the interests of clients, the Appellate Division may appoint one or more attorneys to take possession of the attorney's files, examine the files, advise the clients to secure another attorney or take any other action necessary to protect the client's interests.

An attorney appointed pursuant to this section shall file, within 30 days of the order of appointment or any other time period set by the Appellate Division, a status report, which shall include the name and address of each client and the disposition of each client's file.

The Appellate Division may fix the compensation of any attorney appointed pursuant to subdivision (a) of this section, and may direct that compensation shall be a cost of any underlying estate or incapacitation proceeding.