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Estate of Smith

Docket No. 20210114
Oral Argument: Friday, October 8, 2021 1:30 PM

Docket Info

Title
In the Matter of the Estate of William E. Smith, Deceased

Scott L. Smith and Kristen J. Hackmann,
Personal Representatives, Petitioners and Appellants
v.
Charlene Smith and LeeAllen Smith, Respondents and Appellees
and
David Smith and Jacqueline Walby, Respondents
Case Type
CIVIL APPEAL : PROBATE - WILLS - TRUSTS
Appeal From
Case No. 2017-PR-00014
Southeast Judicial District, Sargent County
Mark T. Blumer
2021 ND 238968 N.W.2d 157
Oral Argument 10/8/2021

Highlight

In a proceeding initiated as informal probate, extensive litigation can convert the proceedings into formal probate.

In a formal probate proceeding, once a final judgment is entered approving a final distribution and accounting, a party may not file a petition to approve an amended final accounting.

While this Court disapproves of a district court’s wholesale adoption of a party’s proposed findings of fact, those findings of fact will not be overturned on appeal unless they are clearly erroneous.

A district court did not abuse its discretion in awarding attorney's fees to be paid by the personal representatives personally when it found the personal representatives’ motions were frivolous and for an improper purpose.

Briefs

Filing Date Description
06/28/2021 APPELLANT BRIEF View
07/28/2021 APPELLEE BRIEF (Charlene Smith & LeeAllen Smith) View
08/11/2021 REPLY BRIEF View

Counsel

Party Type Name
APPELLEE PRIVATE PRACTICE Steven Timothy Ottmar - 06179
APPELLEE PRIVATE PRACTICE Amy M. Clark - 06770
APPELLANT PRIVATE PRACTICE Brandon Marshall Erickson - 09333
APPELLANT PRIVATE PRACTICE Sarah Aaberg - 08393

(Note: Attachments may not be available for recently filed cases and/or confidential documents.)

Seq. # Filing Date Description Attachment
1 04/13/2021 NOTICE OF APPEAL : 04/13/2021
2 04/13/2021 ORDER FOR TRANSCRIPT : 04/16/2021
3 04/15/2021 Rec'd $125.00 Filing Fee
4 04/16/2021 NOT. OF FILING NOT. OF APPEAL AND PROOF OF SERV.
5 04/16/2021 Notice Served on Sarah Aaberg & Brandon M. Erickson/Amy M. Clark/Don B. Eppler/Steven T. Ottmar
6 04/26/2021 NOTICE OF MEDIATION
7 05/04/2021 ELECTRONIC TRANSCRIPT DATED OCTOBER 13, 2020
8 05/04/2021 TRANSCRIPT CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
9 05/12/2021 ELEC. RECORD ON APPEAL DATED MAY 11, 2021(ENTRY NOS. 1-148)
10 05/28/2021 MOT. EXT/TIME APPELLANT BRIEF
11 05/28/2021 ACTION BY CHIEF DEPUTY CLERK - Granted : 06/28/2021
12 06/22/2021 ELEC. SUPP. RECORD ON APPEAL DATED JUNE 21, 2021 (ENTRY NOS. 149-150 )
13 06/28/2021 APPELLANT BRIEF View
14 06/28/2021 Oral Argument Request by Appellant
15 06/28/2021 APPELLANT APPENDIX
16 07/01/2121 Rec'd 4 copies of ATB and ATA back from CSD
17 07/28/2021 APPELLEE BRIEF (Charlene Smith & LeeAllen Smith) View
18 07/28/2021 Oral Argument Request by Appellee (Charlene Smith & LeeAllen Smith)
19 07/28/2021 APPELLEE APPENDIX (Charlene Smith & LeeAllen Smith)
20 07/30/2021 Rec'd 4 copies of AEB and 3 copies of AEA back from CD
21 08/11/2021 REPLY BRIEF View
22 08/12/2021 Rec'd 4 copies of RYB back from CD
23 09/16/2021 NOTICE OF ORAL ARGUMENT SENT
24 10/08/2021 APPEARANCES: Brandon M. Erickson/Amy M. Clark & Steven T. Ottmar
25 10/08/2021 ARGUED: Brandon M. Erickson/Amy M. Clark
26 10/08/2021 ORAL ARGUMENT WEBCAST
27 12/23/2021 DISPOSITION
28 12/23/2021 UNANIMOUS OPINION : Jensen, Jon J. View
29 12/23/2021 Cost on appeal taxed in favor of Appellees
30 12/23/2021 Judgment View
31 01/14/2022 MANDATE