Cases appear in chronological order, with the oldest case appearing first.
Trusts and Estates
Probate court did not err in finding that a prior order of final distribution was not a money judgment under Code of Civil Procedure Sec. 680.270 since the order mandated the distribution of an inexact amount of cash. Executor did not have a duty to place the cash in the estate in some type of account, so beneficiary could not claim estate lost value based on executor's investment in a low-interest or non-interest bearing account. Beneficiary also was not entitled to interest the cash in the estate could have earned because beneficiary did not have use of the money. Not having use of the money in an estate is not a reduction in the value of an asset with the passage of time under Probate Code Sec. 9601. Civil Code Sec. 3287 does not apply to probate cases where there was no money judgment or contract, and residuary beneficiary did not have a claim of damages. Executor's affirmative defense of laches barred any claim for interest on the cash in estate where evidence supported finding that beneficiary acquiesced in executor's delay.
Estate of Kampen - filed November 14, 2011, publication ordered
December 9, 2011, First District, Div. Two
Cite as 2011 S.O.S. 6662
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Trusts and Estates
A temporary conservator is entitled to reimbursement of legal fees and other expenses properly incurred for the conservatee's benefit during the term of that temporary appointment regardless of whether a permanent conservator is ever appointed.
Conservatorship of Cornelius - filed November 15, 2011, First District, Div.
Four
Cite as 2011 S.O.S. 6150
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Trusts and Estates
Will which set forth testator's intent in the event he predeceased his wife or they died at the same moment, but made no disposition in the event he outlived his wife, as he did, did not render the will ambiguous; existence of a disinheritance clause in the will did not prevent testators' legal heirs from taking under the statutory rules of inheritance where testator had to be considered as having died intestate. Testator's purported oral declaration of intent cannot be used to fill in omitted terms of the will.
Estate of Duke - filed December 5, 2011, Second District, Div. Four
Cite as 2011 S.O.S. 6501
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Family Law
Probate court was not obligated to refer case to county child welfare agency prior to issuing a guardianship order where mother and father had stipulated to the guardianship after participating in mediation. Probate court was also not required to make a finding of parental unfitness where mother and father yielded custody to paternal grandparents and failed to take prompt legal action to defend their custodial rights. Substantial evidence supported probate court's finding that terminating parental rights was in child's best interests where during guardianship of more than four years, mother and father failed to remedy the problems of substance abuse and anger management that necessitated the guardianship in the first place.
Adoption of Myah M. - filed December 19, 2011, First District, Div. Two
Cite as 2011 S.O.S. 6859
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