[Cite as In re Estate of Panning, 2014-Ohio-4969.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
SIXTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
WOOD COUNTY
In re Estate of Deloris D. Panning Court of Appeals No. WD-14-004
Trial Court No. 20131074
DECISION AND JUDGMENT
Decided: November 7, 2014
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Laurie A. Watson, for appellant.
Daniel F. Zigray, for appellee.
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JENSEN, J.
Introduction
{¶ 1} At issue in this case is an accelerated appeal of a judgment by the Wood
County Court of Common Pleas, Probate Division, that denied appellant’s application for
authority to serve as executor of her mother’s estate. Appellant alleges that the probate
court abused its discretion when it denied her application on the basis that a conflict of
interest existed that rendered her unsuitable to serve as executor. For the following
reasons, we affirm the judgment of the probate court.
Facts and Procedural History
{¶ 2} The decedent, Deloris Panning, died on May 30, 2012, at the age of 89. The
decedent was a resident of Bowling Green, Ohio, in Wood County. She was survived by
two daughters: appellant, Denise Fox, and Madaline Schneider, both Ohio residents.
{¶ 3} The decedent executed her last will and testament on January 25, 2000,
providing for an equal division of her property between Schneider and appellant. The
will nominated them to serve as co-executors of the estate.
{¶ 4} On February 21, 2013, appellant filed a notice to file will without probate in
the Wood County Court of Common Pleas, Probate Division. Appellant also filed
decedent’s last will and testament and indicated that additional estate administration
would begin in the future.
{¶ 5} On May 14, 2013, attorney Philip Schmidt filed an application to administer
the estate. Accompanying the application was Madaline Schneider’s waiver of her right
to administer the estate and her consent to Schmidt’s appointment.
{¶ 6} On June 24, 2013, appellant filed her own application for authority to
administer the estate, in which she sought to be named sole fiduciary of the estate.
{¶ 7} On September 20, 2013, Madaline Schneider filed a civil action in the
probate court against appellant. Schneider alleged that appellant wrongfully converted
2.
decedent’s assets to herself before decedent’s death. The complaint requested that the
unlawful transfer of assets be invalidated. In response, appellant counterclaimed,
alleging that Schneider was unjustly enriched for failing to reimburse appellant for
expenses related to decedent’s home which they inherited in equal shares.
{¶ 8} A hearing on the applications to administer the estate was scheduled for
December 13, 2013. On that date, attorney Schmidt withdrew his application, and no
hearing was held.
{¶ 9} By journal entry dated December 16, 2013, the probate court found,
[B]oth Madaline and [appellant] are legally unsuitable to serve as
fiduciaries. This finding is due, in part, to the asserted conflicting and
adverse interests present which render both Madaline and [appellant]
unable to make objective decisions for the benefit of the Deloris Panning
estate.
{¶ 10} The court denied appellant’s application. Appellant filed a notice of appeal
on January 15, 2014, claiming a single assignment of error:
I. The trial court abused its discretion by denying Appellant’s
application for authority to administer her mother’s estate on the grounds of
unsuitability.
Law and Analysis
{¶ 11} Appellant argues that she is entitled to serve as executor of her mother’s
estate as a matter of law. She states that “there is no evidence that applicant is unsuitable
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or has a conflict of interest so insurmountable that she couldn’t be reasonably
disinterested in her decision-making.” In the absence of such evidence, appellant
concludes that the probate court abused its discretion in finding appellant legally
unsuitable to serve as executor.
{¶ 12} “[A]n order granting or refusing letters of appointment is reversible only
upon a finding of an abuse of discretion.” In re Estate of Henne, 66 Ohio St.2d 232, 421
N.E.2d 506 (1981), paragraph one of the syllabus. “Abuse of discretion” suggests more
than an error of law or judgment; it implies that the court’s attitude is unreasonable,
arbitrary or unconscionable. Blakemore v. Blakemore, 5 Ohio St.3d 217, 219, 450
N.E.2d 1140 (1983).
{¶ 13} R.C. 2113.05 governs the appointment of executors. It provides, in part,
When a will is approved and allowed, the probate court shall issue
letters testamentary to the executor named in the will * * * if the executor
or coexecutor is suitable, competent, accepts the appointment, and gives
bond if that is required.
{¶ 14} Appellant’s competency is not at issue here, just whether she is suitable
under the statute. A person is “suitable” to serve as an executor if she is reasonably
disinterested and in a position to reasonably fulfill her obligations as executor. Henne at
paragraph two of the syllabus. In Henne, the Ohio Supreme Court provided the following
guidance to determine whether a person was “reasonably disinterested”:
4.
While acknowledging deference to the testator’s nomination of an executor,
the court, in determining the limits of a reasonably disinterested applicant,
may consider factors including, but not limited to: (1) the nature and extent
of the hostility and distrust among the parties; (2) the degree of conflicting
interests and obligations, both personal and financial; and (3) the
underlying and aggregate complexities of the conflict. Id. at paragraph
three of the syllabus.
{¶ 15} In this case, appellant concedes that her relationship with her sister is
“acrimonious” and “discordant.” Appellant theorizes, however, that her mother named
both daughters as executors, with the full knowledge of that strained relationship and that
decedent’s intent is entitled to deference by the court. We note that the record is silent as
to the decedent’s state of mind regarding her daughters’ relationship.
{¶ 16} Moreover, given the lawsuit against her, appellant has a clear conflict of
interest vis-a-vis her role as beneficiary and executor. Appellant can hardly be expected
to defend herself from accusations that she wrongfully converted assets belonging to
decedent while also acting as fiduciary to that estate. Therefore, this court finds that it
was neither unreasonable, arbitrary, or unconscionable for the probate court to find that
appellant’s interest in the estate was antagonistic and adverse to Schneider. “Monetary
conflicts are a consideration for a finding of unsuitability.” Henne, 66 Ohio St.2d at 237,
421 N.E.2d 506.
5.
{¶ 17} Upon review of the record, we cannot say that the probate court abused its
discretion when it denied appellant’s application for authority to administer the estate.
Therefore, we find that appellant’s sole assignment of error is not well-taken.
{¶ 18} Appellant also suggests that the probate court applied the wrong statute in
reaching its conclusion. While the court clearly applied the appointment statute, set forth
in R.C. 2113.05, it also commented that if appellant, or her sister, was appointed to serve
as executor, it might prompt “an action for immediate removal” pursuant to R.C.
2113.18.1 We see no error in the probate court’s acknowledgment that certain
consequences might follow if appellant was appointed executor. In any event, the
probate court applied the correct statute and legal framework in reaching its conclusion
that appellant was legally unsuitable to serve as executor.
{¶ 19} For the foregoing reasons, we affirm the judgment of the Wood County
Court of Common Pleas, Probate Division. Appellant is ordered to pay the costs of this
appeal pursuant to App.R. 24.
Judgment affirmed.
1
R.C. 2113.18(A) provides, “The probate court may remove any executor * * * if there
are unsettled claims existing between the executor * * * and the estate that the court
thinks may be the subject of controversy or litigation between the executor * * * and the
estate or persons interested in the estate.”
6.
In re Estate of Panning
C.A. No. WD-14-004
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to App.R. 27.
See also 6th Dist.Loc.App.R. 4.
Mark L. Pietrykowski, J. _______________________________
JUDGE
Stephen A. Yarbrough, P.J.
_______________________________
James D. Jensen, J. JUDGE
CONCUR.
_______________________________
JUDGE
This decision is subject to further editing by the Supreme Court of
Ohio’s Reporter of Decisions. Parties interested in viewing the final reported
version are advised to visit the Ohio Supreme Court’s web site at:
http://www.sconet.state.oh.us/rod/newpdf/?source=6.
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