NOT FINAL UNTIL TIME EXPIRES TO FILE REHEARING MOTION AND, IF FILED, DETERMINED
IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL
OF FLORIDA
SECOND DISTRICT
BEULAH COVEY, ) ) Appellant, ) ) v. ) Case No. 2D18-3084 ) LINDA SHAFFER and PHYLLIS ) COVEY, ) ) Appellees. ) ________________________________ )
Opinion filed July 3, 2019.
Appeal pursuant to Fla. R. App. P. 9.170 from the Circuit Court for Collier County; Frederick Hardt, Judge.
Matthew A. Linde of Cody & Linde, PLLC, Fort Myers; Robin D. Merriman II of Aloia, Roland, Lubell & Morgan, PLLC, Fort Myers; and Philip V. Howard and Lance M. McKinney of Osterhout & McKinney, P.A., Fort Myers, for Appellant.
Jeffry S. Perlow, Naples, for Appellee Linda Shaffer.
Alvaro C. Sanchez of Burandt, Adamski, Feichthaler & Sanchez, PLLC, Naples, for Appellee Phyllis Covey. NORTHCUTT, Judge.
The circuit court granted Linda Shaffer's petition to appoint an emergency
temporary guardian for Beulah Covey. Covey challenges the order on several grounds,
but we address only her assertion that the court erred in granting the petition without a
hearing. We agree and reverse.
Background
On June 27, 2018, Shaffer filed petitions to determine Covey's incapacity
and for the appointment of an emergency temporary guardian for Covey, whom Shaffer
asserted was suffering from Alzheimer's disease and diminished capacity. Shaffer was
Covey's life partner for thirty-six years. She alleged that Covey's niece had taken
Covey with her to Michigan two months earlier and was not allowing Shaffer to speak
with her, preventing Shaffer from confirming that Covey was taking her medications and
being properly cared for. Shaffer also alleged that Covey had since revoked a power of
attorney that she had previously given to Shaffer and had been writing checks to the
benefit of others.
On July 2, the circuit court issued an ex parte order appointing Shaffer as
Covey's emergency temporary guardian. The court also appointed counsel to represent
Covey and to serve as elisor. Covey's attorney was able to make contact with Covey by
phone, and he then filed an emergency motion to vacate the letters of guardianship and
the order appointing Shaffer as emergency temporary guardian. A hearing on the
motion was scheduled for July 31. Several days before the hearing, Covey and her
niece traveled to Florida. Covey's attorney was then able to meet with Covey for the
first time and serve her with Shaffer's petitions.
-2- At the hearing on the motion to vacate, Covey's counsel argued, among
other things, that the court could not appoint a temporary guardian without holding an
evidentiary hearing. Shaffer responded that the court could still hold an evidentiary
hearing on the petition, even after it had been granted. Covey's niece, who had filed a
counterpetition and sought to serve as guardian, suggested that the court take
testimony then and there, as all of the parties were present, but the court rejected that
proposal, citing a lack of notice. The court then denied Covey's motion to vacate, and
her counsel filed this appeal under Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.170(b)(8).
During the pendency of the appeal, the circuit court extended the
temporary guardianship for a further ninety days, as is permitted by section
744.3031(4), Florida Statutes (2018). At oral argument in January 2019, the parties'
attorneys informed us that the circuit court had since determined that Covey was
incapacitated and that it had appointed Shaffer as permanent guardian of Covey's
person and a professional guardian to serve as permanent guardian of Covey's
property.1
Jurisdiction
The appointment of permanent guardians for Covey effectively moots
Covey's challenge to the appointment of Shaffer as the temporary guardian. See In re
Smith, 05-09-00913-CV, 2010 WL 4324434, at *2 (Tex. App. Nov. 3, 2010) ("Complaints
1Because this is an appeal under rule 9.170, rather than rule 9.130, the circuit court retained jurisdiction to appoint permanent guardians during this appeal and did not run afoul of rule 9.130(f)'s prohibition against the entry of a final order during the pendency of a nonfinal appeal brought under that rule. See Jannette Billot Pigna v. Messianu, 43 Fla. L. Weekly D2260 (Fla. 3d DCA Oct. 3, 2018) (noting the distinction between appeals under rules 9.170 and 9.130). -3- about an order regarding temporary guardianship ordinarily become moot if a
permanent guardian is appointed."). However, because an emergency temporary
guardianship can last for a maximum of only 180 days, see § 744.3031(4) (providing
that an emergency temporary guardianship expires after ninety days or when a
guardian is appointed, whichever occurs first, and may be extended for "an additional
90 days"), the issues here are capable of repetition while evading appellate review. We
therefore decline to dismiss the appeal as moot. See Enter. Leasing Co. v. Jones, 789
So. 2d 964, 965 (Fla. 2001) ("Although the issue presented in this appeal may be moot
as it relates to these parties, the mootness doctrine does not destroy our jurisdiction
when the question before us is of great public importance or is likely to recur."); Gould v.
State, 974 So. 2d 441, 444 (Fla. 2d DCA 2007).
Analysis
Covey contends that appointing the emergency temporary guardian
without first holding a hearing on the petition violated her Fourteenth Amendment right
to due process as well as the procedural requirements of section 744.3031. We need
not address the constitutional issue because we can instead resolve the issue on
nonconstitutional grounds. See Anderson v. City of St. Pete Beach, 161 So. 3d 548,
550 n.1 (Fla. 2d DCA 2014) (noting that under the principle of judicial restraint "courts
should avoid considering a constitutional question when a case may be disposed of on
nonconstitutional grounds").
Section 744.3031 and Florida Probate Rule 5.648 together set forth the
procedures for the appointment of an emergency temporary guardian. Section
744.3031 provides:
-4- (1) A court, prior to appointment of a guardian but after a petition for determination of incapacity has been filed pursuant to this chapter, may appoint an emergency temporary guardian for the person or property, or both, of an alleged incapacitated person. The court must specifically find that there appears to be imminent danger that the physical or mental health or safety of the person will be seriously impaired or that the person's property is in danger of being wasted, misappropriated, or lost unless immediate action is taken. The subject of the proceeding or any adult interested in the welfare of that person may apply to the court in which the proceeding is pending for the emergency appointment of a temporary guardian. The powers and duties of the emergency temporary guardian must be specifically enumerated by court order. The court shall appoint counsel to represent the alleged incapacitated person during any such summary proceedings, and such appointed counsel may request that the proceeding be recorded and transcribed.
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NOT FINAL UNTIL TIME EXPIRES TO FILE REHEARING MOTION AND, IF FILED, DETERMINED
IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL
OF FLORIDA
SECOND DISTRICT
BEULAH COVEY, ) ) Appellant, ) ) v. ) Case No. 2D18-3084 ) LINDA SHAFFER and PHYLLIS ) COVEY, ) ) Appellees. ) ________________________________ )
Opinion filed July 3, 2019.
Appeal pursuant to Fla. R. App. P. 9.170 from the Circuit Court for Collier County; Frederick Hardt, Judge.
Matthew A. Linde of Cody & Linde, PLLC, Fort Myers; Robin D. Merriman II of Aloia, Roland, Lubell & Morgan, PLLC, Fort Myers; and Philip V. Howard and Lance M. McKinney of Osterhout & McKinney, P.A., Fort Myers, for Appellant.
Jeffry S. Perlow, Naples, for Appellee Linda Shaffer.
Alvaro C. Sanchez of Burandt, Adamski, Feichthaler & Sanchez, PLLC, Naples, for Appellee Phyllis Covey. NORTHCUTT, Judge.
The circuit court granted Linda Shaffer's petition to appoint an emergency
temporary guardian for Beulah Covey. Covey challenges the order on several grounds,
but we address only her assertion that the court erred in granting the petition without a
hearing. We agree and reverse.
Background
On June 27, 2018, Shaffer filed petitions to determine Covey's incapacity
and for the appointment of an emergency temporary guardian for Covey, whom Shaffer
asserted was suffering from Alzheimer's disease and diminished capacity. Shaffer was
Covey's life partner for thirty-six years. She alleged that Covey's niece had taken
Covey with her to Michigan two months earlier and was not allowing Shaffer to speak
with her, preventing Shaffer from confirming that Covey was taking her medications and
being properly cared for. Shaffer also alleged that Covey had since revoked a power of
attorney that she had previously given to Shaffer and had been writing checks to the
benefit of others.
On July 2, the circuit court issued an ex parte order appointing Shaffer as
Covey's emergency temporary guardian. The court also appointed counsel to represent
Covey and to serve as elisor. Covey's attorney was able to make contact with Covey by
phone, and he then filed an emergency motion to vacate the letters of guardianship and
the order appointing Shaffer as emergency temporary guardian. A hearing on the
motion was scheduled for July 31. Several days before the hearing, Covey and her
niece traveled to Florida. Covey's attorney was then able to meet with Covey for the
first time and serve her with Shaffer's petitions.
-2- At the hearing on the motion to vacate, Covey's counsel argued, among
other things, that the court could not appoint a temporary guardian without holding an
evidentiary hearing. Shaffer responded that the court could still hold an evidentiary
hearing on the petition, even after it had been granted. Covey's niece, who had filed a
counterpetition and sought to serve as guardian, suggested that the court take
testimony then and there, as all of the parties were present, but the court rejected that
proposal, citing a lack of notice. The court then denied Covey's motion to vacate, and
her counsel filed this appeal under Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.170(b)(8).
During the pendency of the appeal, the circuit court extended the
temporary guardianship for a further ninety days, as is permitted by section
744.3031(4), Florida Statutes (2018). At oral argument in January 2019, the parties'
attorneys informed us that the circuit court had since determined that Covey was
incapacitated and that it had appointed Shaffer as permanent guardian of Covey's
person and a professional guardian to serve as permanent guardian of Covey's
property.1
Jurisdiction
The appointment of permanent guardians for Covey effectively moots
Covey's challenge to the appointment of Shaffer as the temporary guardian. See In re
Smith, 05-09-00913-CV, 2010 WL 4324434, at *2 (Tex. App. Nov. 3, 2010) ("Complaints
1Because this is an appeal under rule 9.170, rather than rule 9.130, the circuit court retained jurisdiction to appoint permanent guardians during this appeal and did not run afoul of rule 9.130(f)'s prohibition against the entry of a final order during the pendency of a nonfinal appeal brought under that rule. See Jannette Billot Pigna v. Messianu, 43 Fla. L. Weekly D2260 (Fla. 3d DCA Oct. 3, 2018) (noting the distinction between appeals under rules 9.170 and 9.130). -3- about an order regarding temporary guardianship ordinarily become moot if a
permanent guardian is appointed."). However, because an emergency temporary
guardianship can last for a maximum of only 180 days, see § 744.3031(4) (providing
that an emergency temporary guardianship expires after ninety days or when a
guardian is appointed, whichever occurs first, and may be extended for "an additional
90 days"), the issues here are capable of repetition while evading appellate review. We
therefore decline to dismiss the appeal as moot. See Enter. Leasing Co. v. Jones, 789
So. 2d 964, 965 (Fla. 2001) ("Although the issue presented in this appeal may be moot
as it relates to these parties, the mootness doctrine does not destroy our jurisdiction
when the question before us is of great public importance or is likely to recur."); Gould v.
State, 974 So. 2d 441, 444 (Fla. 2d DCA 2007).
Analysis
Covey contends that appointing the emergency temporary guardian
without first holding a hearing on the petition violated her Fourteenth Amendment right
to due process as well as the procedural requirements of section 744.3031. We need
not address the constitutional issue because we can instead resolve the issue on
nonconstitutional grounds. See Anderson v. City of St. Pete Beach, 161 So. 3d 548,
550 n.1 (Fla. 2d DCA 2014) (noting that under the principle of judicial restraint "courts
should avoid considering a constitutional question when a case may be disposed of on
nonconstitutional grounds").
Section 744.3031 and Florida Probate Rule 5.648 together set forth the
procedures for the appointment of an emergency temporary guardian. Section
744.3031 provides:
-4- (1) A court, prior to appointment of a guardian but after a petition for determination of incapacity has been filed pursuant to this chapter, may appoint an emergency temporary guardian for the person or property, or both, of an alleged incapacitated person. The court must specifically find that there appears to be imminent danger that the physical or mental health or safety of the person will be seriously impaired or that the person's property is in danger of being wasted, misappropriated, or lost unless immediate action is taken. The subject of the proceeding or any adult interested in the welfare of that person may apply to the court in which the proceeding is pending for the emergency appointment of a temporary guardian. The powers and duties of the emergency temporary guardian must be specifically enumerated by court order. The court shall appoint counsel to represent the alleged incapacitated person during any such summary proceedings, and such appointed counsel may request that the proceeding be recorded and transcribed. (2) Notice of filing of the petition for appointment of an emergency temporary guardian and a hearing on the petition must be served on the alleged incapacitated person and on the alleged incapacitated person's attorney at least 24 hours before the hearing on the petition is commenced, unless the petitioner demonstrates that substantial harm to the alleged incapacitated person would occur if the 24-hour notice is given.
(Emphasis added.)
We read the language of the statute as requiring a hearing prior to the
appointment of an emergency temporary guardian. It states that the petitioner is
required to serve the alleged incapacitated person and his or her attorney with a notice
of filing the petition "and a hearing on the petition." The requirement that the petitioner
serve a notice of hearing plainly contemplates that a hearing is to be held. The statute
goes on to specify that the notice must be provided at least 24 hours before "the hearing
on the petition." The use of the definite article "the" in lieu of an indefinite article such
as "a" or "any" indicates that the statute has a particular hearing in mind, i.e., the
hearing for which the petitioner is required to serve notice, rather than merely a -5- possible, optional hearing. See Myers v. State, 696 So. 2d 893, 900 (Fla. 4th DCA
1997), quashed on other grounds 713 So. 2d 1013 (Fla. 1998) ("The indefinite
article a has an accepted sense of 'any,' while the definite article, the, used before a
noun specifies a definite and specific noun, as opposed to any member of a class.").
Section 744.3031(1) also provides that counsel for the alleged incapacitated person
may request that "the proceeding" be transcribed, thus indicating that there is to be a
proceeding capable of being transcribed, i.e., a hearing.
We discern further support for this reading of the statute in the language of
rule 5.648. Prior to its amendment in 2015, rule 5.648 required the petitioner to serve
"[n]otice of filing of the petition for appointment of an emergency temporary
guardian and any hearing on the petition." Fla. Prob. R. 5.648(b) (2014). But the 2015
amendment removed the word "any," further indicating that a hearing is not optional but
rather should be held as a matter of course. See In re Amendments to Fla. Prob. Rules,
181 So. 3d 480, 484 (Fla. 2015).
Conclusion
In sum, we hold that section 744.3031 requires a circuit court to hold a
hearing prior to ruling on a petition for the appointment of an emergency temporary
guardian. In this case, the court erred by granting Shaffer's petition ex parte.
Accordingly, the order appointing Shaffer as Beulah Covey's emergency temporary
guardian is reversed.
Reversed and remanded.
VILLANTI, J., Concurs. SALARIO, J., Concurs in result only.
-6-