J-A16022-23
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT OP 65.37
IN RE: M.D.A., AN ALLEGED : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF INCOMPETENT PERSON : PENNSYLVANIA : : APPEAL OF: M.D.A. : : : : : No. 1142 MDA 2022
Appeal from the Order Entered July 12, 2022 In the Court of Common Pleas of Berks County Orphans' Court at No(s): 88000
BEFORE: PANELLA, P.J., BENDER, P.J.E., and McCAFFERY, J.
MEMORANDUM BY BENDER, P.J.E.: FILED DECEMBER 04, 2023
M.D.A. (“Mother”) appeals from the order entered on July 12, 2022, in
the Court of Common Pleas of Berks County Orphans’ Court Division,
adjudicating her to be an incapacitated person and appointing her son, J.D.
(“Son”), and his wife, K.L.D. (“Daughter-in-Law”) (collectively “Petitioners”),
as plenary co-guardians of her person and her estate.1 For the reasons set
forth below, we quash this appeal.
This matter stems from a petition for the appointment of emergency co-
guardians of Mother’s person and her estate filed by Son and Daughter-in-Law
on December 10, 2021, pursuant to 20 Pa.C.S. § 5513. Orphans’ Court
Opinion (“OCO”), 9/26/22, at 1. Mother was born in August of 1944 and has
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1 The order at issue is appealable as of right pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 342(a)(5)
(“An appeal may be taken as of right from … orders of the Orphans’ Court Division … determining the status of … guardianship[.]”). J-A16022-23
resided at Phoebe Berks (“Phoebe”), a nursing care facility, since September
13, 2021. Id. Petitioners reside in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Id. at 1-2.
Mother also has a daughter, K.D.-R. (“Daughter”), who resides in New York,
New York. Id.
In May of 2021, Mother called Son and “cried that she needed help and
needed somebody to take charge.” Id. at 5. She was living in South Carolina
at the time. Id. A week later, Petitioners drove to South Carolina from
Pennsylvania. Id. When they arrived at Mother’s gated community, she could
not remember how to use the buzzer to open the gate. Id. Mother had lost
weight because she was not eating. Id. Her home was in a disheveled
condition, and she had placed post-it notes all over the house. Id. “Her
checkbook was in disarray. Many bills were unpaid even though she had the
money to pay them.” Id. at 6 (citation omitted). Since Mother was “stressed
out and frazzled,” Son brought her back to Pennsylvania to live with him and
his wife. Id. He told her that the arrangement was only temporary until her
affairs were in order. Id.
On June 17, 2021, Mother signed a general power of attorney (“POA”),
appointing Petitioners as her agents. Id. at 2. In July of 2021, Son had
Mother evaluated by Chen Zhao, M.D., a neurologist. Id. at 2, 6. Dr. Zhao
determined that Mother suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety, and sleep
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disturbance. Id. at 2. She concluded that Mother was “incapacitated[2] and
unable to make informed decisions about her finances and healthcare. She
also opined that Mother should be in a secured facility for her safety and basic
needs.” Id.3 Based on Dr. Zhao’s evaluation, Son placed Mother in personal
care at Phoebe on September 13, 2021. Id. at 2, 6. See also id. at 6 (noting
Daughter informed Son that “if he did not want Mother, she would take her,”
but Son decided that was not a good idea).
Petitioners allowed Daughter to take Mother for a one-week visit to her
home in New York over Thanksgiving 2021. Id. at 2. During that visit,
Daughter had Mother revoke her POA in favor of Petitioners and had her sign
a new POA in favor of Daughter. Id. “Daughter refused to return Mother to
Phoebe.” Id. Thus, on December 10, 2021, Petitioners filed a petition seeking
to be appointed as co-guardians of Mother and her estate, “to allow [them] to
2 Chapter 55 of the Probate, Estates and Fiduciaries (“PEF”) Code, 20 Pa.C.S.
§§ 101-8815, defines an incapacitated person as “an adult whose ability to receive and evaluate information effectively and communicate decisions in any way is impaired to such a significant extent that he is partially or totally unable to manage his financial resources or to meet essential requirements for his physical health and safety.” 20 Pa.C.S. § 5501.
3 We observe that Dr. Zhao’s expert report indicates Mother was “independent
in basic [activities of daily living,] though require[d] prompting to attend to grooming” and recommends a “social worker to assist with home health services info” for Mother’s physical health and safety. Petition, 12/10/21, at Exhibit A (“Dr. Zhao’s Expert Report” at 3). In Dr. Zhao’s opinion, the most appropriate, least restrictive living situation for Mother would be a “secure facility[.]” Id. at 4.
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move Mother back to Phoebe as soon as possible to avoid possible harm to
Mother.” Id.
A hearing on the petition was originally scheduled for December 21,
2021, and Rebecca L. Bell, Esquire, was appointed as counsel for Mother. Id.
at 3. Daughter filed a response to the petition, in which she averred that
“Mother has the requisite capacity to determine her own living
arrangements[,]” and that “Daughter wants Mother to live her remaining days
with family so long as it is feasible.” Id. After several continuances, a hearing
was held on July 12, 2021, at which Gary Champlin, Ph.D., a geriatric
psychology expert; Michele Butch, the administrator of the personal care
facility at Phoebe; and Son testified on behalf of the Petitioners. Daughter
and Mother were called as witnesses on behalf of the respondent. N.T.,
7/12/22, at 2.
The orphans’ court summarized Dr. Champlin’s testimony, based on his
December 27, 2021 independent evaluation of Mother, as follows:
He determined that Mother had difficulty with information about her medications and power of attorney and other memory difficulties. Dr. Champlin believed that Mother was doing well at Phoebe, which seemed like an appropriate placement [considering] Mother’s cognitive limitations. He believed that her wishes to live with family should be respected if a comparable level of care could be given by the family. At the time of the hearing, Mother’s expressed choice was to live with Daughter in the Bronx.
Mother’s prognosis is poor in terms of her cognitive abilities, and there is a need for guardianship services. Dr. Champlin opined that neither of the power of attorneys were likely valid. Mother has cognitive deficits that affect her ability to make good
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decisions. She does not know her medications. Her cognitive deficits are progressive.
OCO at 3-4 (citations to record and some paragraph breaks omitted).
Ms. Butch explained that the personal care facility at Phoebe where
Mother resides provides “activities of daily living” for residents, like Mother,
that are in between independent living care and skilled nursing care. Id. at
4; N.T. at 34. She described Mother as “very pleasant. She’s a very nice[,]
graceful lady.” N.T. at 36. Ms. Butch further testified that Mother’s primary
issue concerns her cognition and memory. OCO at 4. She explained that the
staff at Phoebe assists Mother with administering her medicine, offers her
standby assist with showers, and reminds her to go to meals. Id. Ms. Butch
also indicated that Petitioners have not authorized Phoebe to share any
information with Daughter. Id. See also N.T. at 48 (Ms. Butch’s noting that
when Daughter called the facility inquiring about Mother, she would refer her
to Son). “There are constant telephone calls between Mother and Daughter.
Ms. Butch believes that these calls deter Mother from leaving her room and
that they interfere with Mother’s behavior and demeanor and her activities
within the facility.” OCO at 4.
Son is retired from the military. Id. at 5. He testified that he had a
good relationship with Mother until approximately ten to twelve years ago.
Id. He claims that he stopped communicating with Mother because she
became “very condescending, dismissive, disrespectful, and nasty.” Id. See
also N.T. at 86 (Son’s stating that “we haven’t been in contact for 10 to 12
years until she called me in May of 2021”). Son reported that during the four
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months that Mother lived with him, he prepared meals for her, had to remind
her to bathe, and had to show her daily how to make coffee. Id. at 6. “Son
believes that neither he nor Daughter can take care of Mother due to her
Alzheimer’s disease.” Id.
Regarding Daughter’s interactions with Mother, Son testified that he
originally put Daughter on the “access list” at Mother’s doctors’ offices and at
Phoebe; however, he revoked her status when Daughter started cancelling
Mother’s appointments and telling Mother not to take her medication. Id. In
February 2022, Son permitted Mother to visit Daughter in New York for two
weeks, because Daughter wanted Mother to be evaluated for an in-home care
plan. Son stated that the care plan addressed only cleaning and providing
lunches; it failed to address Mother’s needs due to her medical condition. Id.
at 7. On at least two occasions, Son refused Mother visits with Daughter
because of medication issues. Id.
Son acknowledged that his relationship with Mother is “still contentious
at times.” Id. He admitted that they argued in June of 2022, and that he
told Mother that “he should have left her ass in South Carolina” due to her
behavior. Id. Notwithstanding, Son does not believe that it is relevant who
has a better relationship with Mother – only the type of care Mother needs is
relevant. Id. He believes that it is important for Mother to be at a facility
that can take care of her now and in the future. Id.
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Daughter works as a civilian principal for the New York Police
Department. Id.4 She resides with her husband, who is retired. Id.
Daughter testified that she has “a great relationship” with Mother. Id. at 8.
She talks to Mother all the time because she does not want her to feel lonely
or depressed. Id. Daughter acknowledged that there was a period of
approximately 5 years during which she did not speak to Mother; however,
Daughter was 23 years old at the time their rift began and is now 57 years
old. Id. See also N.T. at 136 (“It was a long time ago…, but then we made
up. And ever since then, we’ve been back to the way we always been.”).
Daughter recalled that Mother called her in May of 2021 and told her
that Son was coming to visit her. N.T. at 138. Daughter informed Son that
she wanted to be Mother’s caretaker, but he said that was wishful thinking
and that Mother needed a facility. OCO at 8.5 Once Mother was placed at
Phoebe, she would occasionally stay with Daughter. N.T. at 140. Daughter
4 Mother explained, “[M]y position is called principal. I am a supervisor equivalent to a lieutenant.” N.T. at 135. She supervises administrative staff. OCO at 7.
5 Daughter testified that she made it “very clear” to Son that she was willing
to be Mother’s caretaker. N.T. at 139. See also id. (Daughter’s recalling telling Son that “before [Mother] goes to any facility, she will come and live with me”); id. at 140 (Daughter’s recounting a conversation with Daughter- in-Law the night before Petitioners were taking Mother to Phoebe: “[Daughter- in-Law] called me and told me that they were putting her in a facility. And I told [her], … no, I will leave my house right now. I will come pick her up. She doesn’t have to go to no facility. And [Daughter-in-Law] said it was a done deal, that it’s too late. If I wanted my mom, I lost my chance because I didn’t go pick her up from South Carolina.”).
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stated that, prior to Mother’s visit over Thanksgiving in November of 2021,
Mother “was supposed to come live with me.” Id. Mother had given Phoebe
her thirty-day notice twice to go live with Daughter,6 but the first time,
Daughter-in-Law talked Mother out of it. OCO at 8. At this point, the court
interrupted Mother’s testimony and urged counsel to move on with any
remaining witnesses.7
During Mother’s testimony, she declared, “I would like for my daughter
to take charge of me and my estate…. Because she understands me, she talks
to me, and she lets my wish [sic] be known[,] and she does what I want, not
what she wants.” N.T. at 145. Mother expressed that Daughter cares about
her and loves her very much. Id. When asked where Mother wants to live,
she responded, “My desire is to live with my daughter…. Because she respects
me and she listens to me[.]” Id. at 146. Mother prefers living in a home as
opposed to a facility and finds Daughter’s home “very comforting and secure.”
Id. at 148. See also id. at 147 (Mother’s testifying that she is not happy
living at Phoebe and stating, “I want to live with my daughter.”).
In contrast, Mother stated that Son told her during a recent visit that he
has a life to live. OCO at 8; N.T. at 146-47. Mother does not think Son ____________________________________________
6 See N.T. at 141 (Daughter’s explaining that she spoke with Ms. Butch and
that Ms. Butch said Mother “could make her own decisions. The only thing that [Mother] had to do was give her 30-day notice.”).
7 The court interjected, “I understand…. It’s clear what we have here. Now, who else are we going to have testify?” N.T. at 141. Counsel for Mother replied, “My client.” Id. The court stated, “Well, why don’t we get to that.” Id.
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respects her wishes or does what is in her best interest. N.T. at 147. She
described her experience living with Son and Daughter-in-Law as
“uncomfortable.” Id. at 148. “Because they had their life, and they were
living their life, and I felt I was interrupting them.” Id. Mother recalled Son
becoming upset with her during his last visit with her when she refused to sign
a document that he wanted her to sign. Id. at 149. “His eyes were bulging,
and he was very upset, and he was right in my face almost nose to nose saying
I should have left your ass in South Carolina.” Id. at 150. Mother indicated
that she felt like Son was “filled with hate and disgust” for her, that Son does
not visit or call her, and that she does not think Son has the level of
compassion for her that is needed to serve as her guardian. Id. at 155-56.
After considering the foregoing evidence, the orphans’ court entered its
July 12, 2022 order, declaring Mother to be an incapacitated person and
appointing the Petitioners as permanent, plenary co-guardians of Mother’s
person and her estate. OCO at 8. On July 21, 2022, Mother filed a timely
motion for reconsideration, in which she requested that the orphans’ court
reconsider its decision and schedule a hearing to consider the appointment of
a professional guardian, Sharon Gray, Esquire. Motion for Reconsideration,
7/21/22, at 2-3. See also id. at ¶ 9 (explaining that while Mother desired for
Daughter to be appointed as her plenary guardian, her “secondary choice
would be for a professional guardian to be appointed”); id. at 10 (“Due to the
lateness of the hour and the desire of the court to complete the testimony,
[Mother] did not get to present her proposed order appointing Sharon Gray,
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Esquire as her plenary guardian.”) (cleaned up). Petitioners filed a response
on July 26, 2022. On August 3, 2022, the orphans’ court entered an order
expressly granting Mother’s motion for reconsideration and scheduling a
hearing on the matter for August 11, 2022. By order of court dated August
10, 2022, the August 11, 2022 hearing was continued to October 18, 2022.
On August 11, 2022, Mother filed a notice of appeal from the court’s
July 12, 2022 decision appointing the Petitioners as her plenary co-guardians.
In response, the orphans’ court directed her to file a Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) concise
statement of errors complained of on appeal. Mother complied, and the
orphans’ court filed its Rule 1925(a) opinion on September 26, 2022. On
appeal, Mother presents a single issue for our review: “Whether the lower
court erred in appointing [Mother’s] Son and Daughter-in-Law as plenary
guardians instead of selecting either a professional guardian or … [Mother’s]
daughter?” Mother’s Brief at 9 (cleaned up).
Preliminarily, we must determine whether this appeal is properly before
us. “Timeliness of an appeal is a jurisdictional matter which can be raised by
the court sua sponte.” Penjerdel Refrigeration Corp., Inc. v. R.A.C.S.,
Inc., 442 A.2d 296, 297 (Pa. Super. 1982) (citations omitted). Thus, we
consider the timeliness of Mother’s appeal under the guidance of the following
applicable rules.
Pennsylvania Orphans’ Court Rule 8.2 provides, in relevant part: “By
motion, a party may request the court to reconsider any order that is final
under Pa.R.A.P. 341(b) or 342, or interlocutory orders subject to immediate
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appeal under Pa.R.A.P. 311, so long as the order granting reconsideration is
consistent with Pa.R.A.P. 1701(b)(3).” Pa.O.C.R. 8.2(a). See also Pa.O.C.R.
8.2, Explanatory Comment (“The period for filing an appeal is not tolled by
the filing of a motion for reconsideration unless the court grants the motion
for reconsideration prior to the expiration of the appeal period.” (citing
Pa.R.A.P. 1701(b)(3))); Pa.R.A.P. 903 (stating that a notice of appeal shall be
filed within 30 days after the entry of the order from which the appeal is taken,
except as otherwise set forth in Rule 903).
Pursuant to Pennsylvania Rule of Appellate Procedure 1701(b)(3), after
an appeal is taken, the trial court may:
(3) Grant reconsideration of the order which is the subject of the appeal…, if:
(i) an application for reconsideration of the order is filed in the trial court … within the time provided or prescribed by law; and
(ii) an order expressly granting reconsideration of such prior order is filed in the trial court … within the time prescribed by these rules for the filing of a notice of appeal … with respect to such order, or within any shorter time provided or prescribed by law for the granting of reconsideration.
A timely order granting reconsideration under this paragraph shall render inoperative any such notice of appeal … theretofore or thereafter filed or docketed with respect to the prior order. The petitioning party shall and any party may file a praecipe with the prothonotary of any court in which such an inoperative notice … is filed or docketed and the prothonotary shall note on the docket that such notice … has been stricken under this rule. Where a timely order of reconsideration is entered under this paragraph, the time for filing a notice of appeal … begins to run anew after the entry of the decision on reconsideration, whether or not that decision amounts to a reaffirmation of the prior
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determination of the trial court…. No additional fees shall be required for the filing of the new notice of appeal….
Pa.R.A.P. 1701(b)(3)(i), (ii) (emphasis added).
Instantly, Mother timely filed her motion for reconsideration of the July
12, 2022 decision on July 21, 2022. On August 3, 2022, within the 30-day
appeal period, the orphans’ court expressly granted reconsideration, thereby
tolling the appeal period. See Pa.O.C.R. 8.2, Explanatory Comment (“The
period for filing an appeal is not tolled by the filing of a motion for
reconsideration unless the court grants the motion for reconsideration prior to
the expiration of the appeal period.”); Pa.R.A.P. 1701(b)(3) (“Where a timely
order of reconsideration is entered under this paragraph, the time for filing a
notice of appeal … begins to run anew after the entry of the decision on
reconsideration, whether or not that decision amounts to a reaffirmation of
the prior determination of the trial court….”). Nevertheless, Mother filed her
notice of appeal to this Court on August 11, 2022, and the orphans’ court
never reached a decision on reconsideration.
Under these circumstances, Mother’s notice of appeal was ineffectual,
and we are constrained to quash this appeal. See Pa.R.A.P. 1701(b)(3) (“A
timely order granting reconsideration under this paragraph shall render
inoperative any such notice of appeal … thereafter filed or docketed with
respect to the prior order.”); Pa. Prop. & Cas. Ins. Guar. Ass’n v. State
Farm Ins. Co., 853 A.2d 407, 409 (Pa. Super. 2004) (noting that the trial
court retained jurisdiction even though a notice of appeal was filed during the
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appeal period, as the timely order granting reconsideration rendered the
notice of appeal inoperative).
We note that once a timely order expressly granting reconsideration is
entered, there is no time constraint imposed on the orphans’ court for the
entry of its reconsidered decision. See Pa.O.C.R. 8.2; Pa.R.A.P. 1701(b)(3).
Thus, the orphans’ court may proceed with its consideration of Mother’s
request for the appointment of a professional guardian. Further, nothing
herein shall be construed as preventing Mother and/or Daughter from
requesting a review hearing pursuant to their rights under Section 5512.2 of
the PEF Code. See 20 Pa.C.S. § 5512.2 (“The court shall conduct a review
hearing promptly if the incapacitated person, guardian or any interested party
petitions the court for a hearing for reason of a significant change in the
person’s capacity, a change in the need for guardianship services or the
guardian’s failure to perform his duties in accordance with the law or to act in
the best interest of the incapacitated person.”). In addition, given that
Mother’s disease is progressive8 and that her circumstances may have
changed since the July 12, 2022 hearing, we point out that the orphans’ court
is empowered to conduct a review hearing at any time, at which it should
honor Mother’s wishes to the fullest extent possible. See 20 Pa.C.S. § 5512.2
(“The court may … hold a review hearing at any time it shall direct.”);
8 See Dr. Zhao’s Expert Report at 4 (“Alzheimer’s is a chronic and progressive
condition.”).
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Interest of M.A., 284 A.3d 1202, 1215 (Pa. Super. 2022) (“The PEF Code
mandates that orphans’ courts honor, to the extent possible, the wishes of the
[alleged incapacitated person].” (citing 20 Pa.C.S. §§ 5502; 5521(a))); In re
Estate of Rosengarten, 871 A.2d 1249, 1255 (Pa. Super. 2005)
(emphasizing that “the intentions of the incapacitated person are to be
honored to the fullest extent possible”).
Appeal quashed.
Judgment Entered.
Benjamin D. Kohler, Esq. Prothonotary
Date: 12/04/2023
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