Following guardianship proceedings concerning an adult alleged to be incapable of managing property, the court addressed competing claims for legal costs payable from the incapable person's estate.
Multiple parties, including family members, a private trust company, counsel for the incapable person, and the Public Guardian and Trustee, sought full indemnity costs.
The court considered whether the litigation was necessary to protect the incapable person's interests and whether each participant's involvement justified reimbursement from the estate.
While family members and required institutional participants were awarded their claimed costs, the private trust company's recovery was reduced due to limited evidence of its contribution and excessive hourly rates.
