IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF IOWA
No. 16-0253 Filed November 23, 2016
IN RE THE MATTER OF THE GUARDIANSHIP AND CONSERVATORSHIP OF COLLEEN ROSE SHANNON, Ward
DEBORAH COLLEEN SHANNON-DOWNEY, Petitioner-Appellant,
NICHOLAS A. BAILEY, Guardian ad Litem-Appellant. ________________________________________________________________
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Jasper County, Paul R. Huscher,
Judge.
Deb Shannon Downey appeals the appointment of Larry Shannon as
guardian of Colleen Shannon. AFFIRMED AND REMANDED.
Andrew B. Howie of Hudson, Mallaney, Shindler & Anderson, P.C., West
Des Moines, for petitioner-appellant.
Nicholas A. Bailey of Bailey Law Firm, P.L.L.C., Altoona, guardian ad
litem-appellant.
Matthew D. Gardner of Gardner Law Firm, P.C., Urbandale, for guardian
and conservator.
Considered by Danilson, C.J., and Mullins and Bower, JJ. 2
BOWER, Judge.
Deb Shannon Downey appeals the appointment of her brother, Larry
Shannon, as guardian and conservator (guardian) of their mother. We find the
district court did not abuse its discretion in appointing a guardian. However, we
note Larry’s appointment was not proper pursuant to Iowa Code section
633.64(a) (2015). We affirm the district court’s appointment of a guardian but
remand in order that a finding be made in accordance with Iowa Code section
633.64(a).
I. Background Facts and Proceedings
Colleen Shannon, eighty-two years old at the time of the hearing, has
been diagnosed with dementia, Alzheimer disease, and depression. Of Colleen’s
eleven children, two, Deb Shannon Downey and Larry Shannon, sought to be
appointed Colleen’s guardian. There is a great deal of disagreement and hostility
between the siblings over this and many other issues. Colleen’s health and
ability to live independently have steadily declined. In 2013, Colleen was
hospitalized after an accident in her apartment, and eventually Colleen was
moved to Deb’s home.
Deb’s home is located in Newton, Iowa. Deb and her wife, Amy, have a
large family with eight children ranging in ages from one to seventeen. Deb
cares for the children full time and was able to constantly supervise Colleen.
Deb testified Colleen was deeply integrated into the family’s life and enjoyed
playing an active role saying, “[m]y mom has 11 children, so she understands,
you know, the big tables, the big dinners . . . . [S]he told me she wasn’t a tenant; 3
that she wanted to be part of our family. And so I told her that’s the way we
wanted it to be.”
In June 2015, many of Colleen’s children were in Des Moines as their
father was very ill. Larry and a few other siblings arrived at Deb’s house to visit
Colleen after visiting their father in the hospital. Larry and Deb had an argument
concerning Colleen’s future. Larry and the other siblings took Colleen for ice
cream, and when they returned, Larry asked to take Colleen to his home to visit
for a week. Two weeks later, Larry drove back to Iowa with Colleen. Larry
informed Deb that Colleen had decided to move to Larry’s home. Deb disagreed,
the confrontation escalated, and eventually law enforcement was called. Colleen
told the officer she wished to go with Larry. Deb claims she told the officer her
brother disagreed with her sexual orientation and marriage because he “was
really religious,” to which the officer responded, “I am, too.” The officer
eventually allowed Colleen to leave with Larry.
Larry took Colleen to his home in Buffalo, Missouri. Larry has a cow-calf
operation and works from home, and his wife, Cindy, works part time. Colleen
had separate living quarters, which had formerly been used as a bed and
breakfast. Colleen testified she enjoyed living with Larry because he has no
children and there are fewer responsibilities. Deb claims she was rarely allowed
to visit or even speak with her mother and that all these communications were
closely monitored. Both Deb and Larry claim the other improperly managed
Colleen’s bank account.
Deb filed a petition for an involuntary appointment of a temporary and
permanent guardian and conservator on June 20, 2015. A guardian ad litem was 4
appointed for Colleen, and a hearing was held on November 17-18, 2015, and
January 6-7, 2016. The district court ruled and appointed Larry as Colleen’s
guardian, subject to a number of conditions, including allowing unsupervised
visitation with any of Colleen’s other children. Deb appeals.
II. Standard of Review
An action for the involuntary appointment of a guardian and conservator is
tried at law. See Iowa Code § 633.33. We therefore review for correction of
errors at law. In re Conservatorship of Leonard, 563 N.W.2d 193, 195 (Iowa
1997). We are bound by findings of facts if they are supported by substantial
evidence. Iowa R. App. P. 6.904(3)(a). Evidence is substantial if a reasonable
mind could use it to reach the same conclusion. Waukon Auto Supply v.
Farmers & Merchs. Sav. Bank, 440 N.W.2d 844, 846 (Iowa 1989). However, we
“will not interfere in the selection of a guardian made by a trial court unless it is
shown that there has been a clear abuse of discretion in making the
appointment.” Arent v. Arent, 32 N.W.2d 660, 661 (Iowa 1948). Our supreme
court has held “an abuse of discretion will not be found unless a party shows that
such discretion was exercised by the court on grounds or for reasons clearly
untenable or to an extent clearly unreasonable.” Mays v. C. Mac Chambers Co.,
490 N.W.2d 800, 803 (Iowa 1992).
III. Selection of Guardian
Deb challenges the appointment of Larry as guardian. She claims Larry is
unfit to be appointed guardian and also claims she is a more suitable option to
care for Colleen. 5
Deb claims Larry has a history of concerning behavior. In the past, he has
demonstrated an explosive temper often leading to allegations of violence. Deb
also accused Larry of failing to properly administer medication to Colleen.
Additionally, Deb presented evidence that Colleen’s medications were not refilled
while Colleen was in Larry’s care, as well as testifying Larry had expressed
doubts about the necessity of providing some medications to Colleen, stating
faith and prayer could cure her. Larry also has been accused of interfering with
visitation between Deb, and the siblings who support her, and Colleen. Some
evidence of this retaliatory behavior exists; Deb was able to visit only a few times
after Colleen was moved to Larry’s home, including one instance where Deb was
only allowed thirty minutes before being forced to drive nearly 350 miles back to
Iowa. Telephone contact between Deb and Colleen was very limited and was
often monitored by Larry.
However, during the course of the hearing, testimony showed concerns
about Deb’s fitness to be Colleen’s guardian. Larry, and the siblings supporting
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IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF IOWA
No. 16-0253 Filed November 23, 2016
IN RE THE MATTER OF THE GUARDIANSHIP AND CONSERVATORSHIP OF COLLEEN ROSE SHANNON, Ward
DEBORAH COLLEEN SHANNON-DOWNEY, Petitioner-Appellant,
NICHOLAS A. BAILEY, Guardian ad Litem-Appellant. ________________________________________________________________
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Jasper County, Paul R. Huscher,
Judge.
Deb Shannon Downey appeals the appointment of Larry Shannon as
guardian of Colleen Shannon. AFFIRMED AND REMANDED.
Andrew B. Howie of Hudson, Mallaney, Shindler & Anderson, P.C., West
Des Moines, for petitioner-appellant.
Nicholas A. Bailey of Bailey Law Firm, P.L.L.C., Altoona, guardian ad
litem-appellant.
Matthew D. Gardner of Gardner Law Firm, P.C., Urbandale, for guardian
and conservator.
Considered by Danilson, C.J., and Mullins and Bower, JJ. 2
BOWER, Judge.
Deb Shannon Downey appeals the appointment of her brother, Larry
Shannon, as guardian and conservator (guardian) of their mother. We find the
district court did not abuse its discretion in appointing a guardian. However, we
note Larry’s appointment was not proper pursuant to Iowa Code section
633.64(a) (2015). We affirm the district court’s appointment of a guardian but
remand in order that a finding be made in accordance with Iowa Code section
633.64(a).
I. Background Facts and Proceedings
Colleen Shannon, eighty-two years old at the time of the hearing, has
been diagnosed with dementia, Alzheimer disease, and depression. Of Colleen’s
eleven children, two, Deb Shannon Downey and Larry Shannon, sought to be
appointed Colleen’s guardian. There is a great deal of disagreement and hostility
between the siblings over this and many other issues. Colleen’s health and
ability to live independently have steadily declined. In 2013, Colleen was
hospitalized after an accident in her apartment, and eventually Colleen was
moved to Deb’s home.
Deb’s home is located in Newton, Iowa. Deb and her wife, Amy, have a
large family with eight children ranging in ages from one to seventeen. Deb
cares for the children full time and was able to constantly supervise Colleen.
Deb testified Colleen was deeply integrated into the family’s life and enjoyed
playing an active role saying, “[m]y mom has 11 children, so she understands,
you know, the big tables, the big dinners . . . . [S]he told me she wasn’t a tenant; 3
that she wanted to be part of our family. And so I told her that’s the way we
wanted it to be.”
In June 2015, many of Colleen’s children were in Des Moines as their
father was very ill. Larry and a few other siblings arrived at Deb’s house to visit
Colleen after visiting their father in the hospital. Larry and Deb had an argument
concerning Colleen’s future. Larry and the other siblings took Colleen for ice
cream, and when they returned, Larry asked to take Colleen to his home to visit
for a week. Two weeks later, Larry drove back to Iowa with Colleen. Larry
informed Deb that Colleen had decided to move to Larry’s home. Deb disagreed,
the confrontation escalated, and eventually law enforcement was called. Colleen
told the officer she wished to go with Larry. Deb claims she told the officer her
brother disagreed with her sexual orientation and marriage because he “was
really religious,” to which the officer responded, “I am, too.” The officer
eventually allowed Colleen to leave with Larry.
Larry took Colleen to his home in Buffalo, Missouri. Larry has a cow-calf
operation and works from home, and his wife, Cindy, works part time. Colleen
had separate living quarters, which had formerly been used as a bed and
breakfast. Colleen testified she enjoyed living with Larry because he has no
children and there are fewer responsibilities. Deb claims she was rarely allowed
to visit or even speak with her mother and that all these communications were
closely monitored. Both Deb and Larry claim the other improperly managed
Colleen’s bank account.
Deb filed a petition for an involuntary appointment of a temporary and
permanent guardian and conservator on June 20, 2015. A guardian ad litem was 4
appointed for Colleen, and a hearing was held on November 17-18, 2015, and
January 6-7, 2016. The district court ruled and appointed Larry as Colleen’s
guardian, subject to a number of conditions, including allowing unsupervised
visitation with any of Colleen’s other children. Deb appeals.
II. Standard of Review
An action for the involuntary appointment of a guardian and conservator is
tried at law. See Iowa Code § 633.33. We therefore review for correction of
errors at law. In re Conservatorship of Leonard, 563 N.W.2d 193, 195 (Iowa
1997). We are bound by findings of facts if they are supported by substantial
evidence. Iowa R. App. P. 6.904(3)(a). Evidence is substantial if a reasonable
mind could use it to reach the same conclusion. Waukon Auto Supply v.
Farmers & Merchs. Sav. Bank, 440 N.W.2d 844, 846 (Iowa 1989). However, we
“will not interfere in the selection of a guardian made by a trial court unless it is
shown that there has been a clear abuse of discretion in making the
appointment.” Arent v. Arent, 32 N.W.2d 660, 661 (Iowa 1948). Our supreme
court has held “an abuse of discretion will not be found unless a party shows that
such discretion was exercised by the court on grounds or for reasons clearly
untenable or to an extent clearly unreasonable.” Mays v. C. Mac Chambers Co.,
490 N.W.2d 800, 803 (Iowa 1992).
III. Selection of Guardian
Deb challenges the appointment of Larry as guardian. She claims Larry is
unfit to be appointed guardian and also claims she is a more suitable option to
care for Colleen. 5
Deb claims Larry has a history of concerning behavior. In the past, he has
demonstrated an explosive temper often leading to allegations of violence. Deb
also accused Larry of failing to properly administer medication to Colleen.
Additionally, Deb presented evidence that Colleen’s medications were not refilled
while Colleen was in Larry’s care, as well as testifying Larry had expressed
doubts about the necessity of providing some medications to Colleen, stating
faith and prayer could cure her. Larry also has been accused of interfering with
visitation between Deb, and the siblings who support her, and Colleen. Some
evidence of this retaliatory behavior exists; Deb was able to visit only a few times
after Colleen was moved to Larry’s home, including one instance where Deb was
only allowed thirty minutes before being forced to drive nearly 350 miles back to
Iowa. Telephone contact between Deb and Colleen was very limited and was
often monitored by Larry.
However, during the course of the hearing, testimony showed concerns
about Deb’s fitness to be Colleen’s guardian. Larry, and the siblings supporting
him, accused Deb of being mentally and verbally abusive to Colleen. While the
guardian ad litem and others found Colleen’s living conditions to be acceptable at
Deb’s house, Larry and others were appalled by where their mother was living
and testified Colleen continually pleaded to be moved out. There were also
accusations Deb did not administer Colleen’s medication when Colleen asked
not to take it. Deb’s house, with eight children of disparate ages, is a fast-paced
environment, not an ideal situation for an eighty year old with increasing
dementia and other cognitive issues, an opinion shared by the district court and a 6
geriatric doctor who testified at the hearing. There were also accusations Deb
misused Colleen’s funds by requiring her to pay “rent.”
Both Deb and Larry have issues that cause us concern. While it is likely
not all of these claims are true, or are at least exaggerated to some degree, we
give deference to the district court in this determination in recognition of the
unique ability to view the testimony first hand. At the conclusion of the hearing,
the district court dictated findings of fact, conclusions of law, and its ruling into
the record. The district court focused heavily on two issues in deciding the
case—first, Colleen’s expressed desire to reside with Larry; second, ensuring fair
and equitable visitation.
The district court noted both Larry and Deb could provide an acceptable
living arrangement for Colleen. However, the district court gave great weight to
Colleen’s expressed desire to live with Larry. While contested testimony during
the hearing placed Colleen’s mental age between six and nine, Dr. Robert
Bender, who testified as an expert witness, stated Colleen should be allowed
some input into significant decisions in her life and her opinions should be taken
into “consideration.” The district court placed a strict, “one strike” condition on
Larry’s guardianship as well, revoking the guardianship if Larry failed to grant
equitable visitation. We hold the district court did not abuse its discretion, and
therefore, we affirm the appointment of a guardian.
IV. Nonresident Fiduciary
All “natural person[s] of full age, who [are] resident[s] of this state” are able
to serve as fiduciaries unless incompetent or determined by the court to be
unsuitable. Iowa Code § 633.63(1). A nonresident must be of full age, 7
competent, suitable as determined by the court, and either serve with a resident
fiduciary, or may be appointed to serve alone “for good cause shown.” Id. §
633.64(a). Larry lives in Buffalo, Missouri, and has taken Colleen out of state.
Although, neither party raised the issue of a nonresident guardian at the hearing,
we determine a finding of good cause, or appointment of a resident co-fiduciary,
must be made in order to fully protect the ward and comply with Iowa law.
Therefore, we remand for resolution of this issue.
AFFIRMED AND REMANDED.