Greer v. Professional Fiduciary, Inc.

792 N.W.2d 120, 2011 Minn. App. LEXIS 2, 2011 WL 9164
CourtCourt of Appeals of Minnesota
DecidedJanuary 4, 2011
DocketNo. A10-716
StatusPublished
Cited by6 cases

This text of 792 N.W.2d 120 (Greer v. Professional Fiduciary, Inc.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals of Minnesota primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Greer v. Professional Fiduciary, Inc., 792 N.W.2d 120, 2011 Minn. App. LEXIS 2, 2011 WL 9164 (Mich. Ct. App. 2011).

Opinion

OPINION

HUDSON, Judge.

Appellant, a formerly incapacitated person, challenges the actions taken by respondents, who are her former conservator, her former guardian, and her former guardian’s counsel, while she was under the jurisdiction of the probate court. The district court dismissed appellant’s claims against respondent-conservator and respondent-guardian to the extent they were based on actions taken during the probate-court proceedings. The district court also entered judgment on the pleadings in favor of respondent-guardian’s counsel because appellant failed to articulate a viable theory of liability. For the reasons stated below, we affirm.

[122]*122FACTS

From March 2005 to July 2007, appellant Peggy Greer, who is now 87 years old, was under a conservatorship and a guardianship. Respondent Wells Fargo (WF) was Greer’s conservator,1 and respondent Professional Fiduciary, Inc. (PFI), was Greer’s guardian. Respondent Ruth Os-trom became PFI’s attorney in April 2006 and represented PFI during and after the guardianship. On July 6, 2007, the probate court determined that Greer’s capacity was restored and granted Greer’s petition to terminate the conservatorship and guardianship.

In April 2009, Greer brought this civil action against WF, PFI, and Ostrom. She contended that WF and PFI were liable in tort for conduct that occurred during and after the conservatorship and guardianship and that Ostrom was liable in tort for conduct that occurred after the guardianship. Specifically, Greer sought compensatory damages against WF and PFI for breach of fiduciary duties, negligence, and intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress. Greer also sought compensatory damages against Ostrom for breach of fiduciary duty in her capacity as PFI’s attorney. WF and PFI moved to dismiss the complaint, and Ostrom moved for judgment on the pleadings. The district court granted the motions of WF and Ostrom in full and granted PFI’s motion in part. Greer agreed to dismiss the remaining claims against PFI without prejudice, and the district court entered judgment in favor of WF, PFI, and Ostrom. This appeal follows.

A. Conduct of WF and PFI during the conservatorship and guardianship

In July 2004, Greer’s daughter Judith Wyrk filed a petition for appointment of a conservator and a guardian for her mother. In January 2005, the probate court heard Judith’s petition. Both Greer and Judith2 appeared with counsel and reached a settlement whereby the probate court was to appoint WF as conservator and PFI as guardian.

In March 2005, the probate court issued an order finding that Greer was incapacitated and that she was unable to understand and acknowledge her condition fully. The probate court noted that she had been hospitalized twice and needed assistance with activities of daily living. The probate court found that Greer was unable to manage her personal or financial affairs. The probate court stated that Greer was unable to manage her finances, that she would be receiving a significant inheritance, and that her estate needed to be protected to ensure its availability for her long-term care.

The probate court appointed WF as conservator of Greer’s estate and granted WF a number of conservatorship powers, including the powers to pay reasonable charges for Greer’s support, to pay debts out of her estate, to manage her estate, to approve or withhold approval of any contract made by Greer, except for necessities, and to apply for any public benefits on her behalf. The probate court also [123]*123appointed PFI as guardian of Greer’s person and granted PFI a number of powers, including the powers to establish Greer’s place of abode; to provide for food, clothing, and shelter; to consent to medical treatment; and to exercise supervisory authority over Greer. The order informed Greer of her right to appeal the appointment of a conservator and a guardian pursuant to Minn.Stat. § 525.71(a)(2) (2010). Greer did not exercise this right.

In September 2005, Greer and her son Terry filed a joint petition to replace PFI as guardian on the grounds that (1) PFI was not a neutral guardian because PFI’s former attorney was also Judith’s attorney; (2) PFI was simply implementing Judith’s wishes; and (3) PFI was not taking sufficient measures to return Greer from a costly rehabilitation center to her home. No evidentiary hearings appear to have been held on the joint petition. Instead, in September 2006, approximately one year after the joint petition was filed, Greer’s new counsel, who filed a notice of substitution of counsel in May 2006, submitted a letter to the court stating that the parties had reached an agreement in principle, that the matter could be stricken from the trial calendar, and that a stipulation would be forthcoming. No stipulation was ever filed, nor was the petition dismissed.

During 2006, WF and PFI filed several reports, accounts, and petitions informing the probate court about Greer’s condition and the status of her estate, and seeking the probate court’s permission to take various measures regarding Greer’s estate. In April 2006, PFI filed its first personal well-being report (April 2006 report) in which it stated that there had been “no change” in Greer’s mental, physical, and social condition or in her living arrangements, that her services were “very good,” and that there was “no change” in its recommendations regarding the guardianship and the scope of the guardianship. See Minn.Stat. § 524.5-316(a) (Supp.2009) (describing contents of personal well-being report).3 PFI also provided Greer with a notice of rights in which it notified her of the right to request (1) a change to her residence; (2) removal of PFI as guardian; or (3) modification or termination of the guardianship. Greer did not make any such requests.

In June 2006, WF filed its first annual account (FAA).4 The FAA listed Greer’s assets and income as totaling $371,976.76, which included an inheritance, IRA distributions from M & I bank, and social security benefits. The FAA also listed Greer’s [124]*124expenses as totaling $298,055.79, which included $88,220.13 for Greer’s stay at Hill-crest of Wayzata and $1,705.86 for medical care through Fairview Home Care & Hospice. The FAA also listed Greer’s assets on hand as WF investment accounts and a judgment, all of which totaled $73,920.97. Greer did not file any objections, and the probate court allowed the FAA. Greer did not appeal this order even though it was appealable. See Minn.Stat. § 525.71(a)(9) (2010) (permitting appeal of order allowing or refusing to allow an account when amount in controversy exceeds $100).

In November 2006, WF petitioned to obtain a reverse mortgage loan on Greer’s home to pay for her long-term care and satisfy other outstanding debts. Again, Greer did not file any objections and, following a hearing, the probate court directed WF to obtain the reverse mortgage. Greer did not appeal this order, even though it also was appealable. See Minn. Stat. § 525.71(a)(3) (2010) (permitting appeal of an order authorizing or refusing to authorize the sale, mortgage, or lease of real estate).

Later, in December 2006, Greer filed a petition for appointment of successor guardian and successor conservator, and in January 2007, she filed an emergency petition seeking the same relief.

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
792 N.W.2d 120, 2011 Minn. App. LEXIS 2, 2011 WL 9164, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/greer-v-professional-fiduciary-inc-minnctapp-2011.