Case ID: so2d_493/html/0470-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "PER CURIAM.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Charles GIGLIO and Florida Coast Midlantic Trust Company, N.A., as Personal Representatives of the Estate of Carmen Perretta, Deceased, and Florida Coast Midlantic Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee of the Carmen Perretta Declaration of Trust dated June 19, 1982, Appellants, v. Anna PERRETTA, Appellee.
    No. 85-1198.
    District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fourth District.
    April 2, 1986.
    Rehearing and Clarification Denied Sept. 30, 1986.
    Larry F. Witte, of Witte & Craig, P.A., Pompano Beach, and Russell E. Carlisle and William B. LeCates, of Carlisle & Le-Cates, Fort Lauderdale, for appellants.
    Patrick L. Bailey, of Sullivan, Bailey, Wich & Stockman, P.A., Pompano Beach, for appellee.
   PER CURIAM.

Upon examination of the record and review of the controlling law we conclude that the trial court erred in requiring the trustee to use trust assets to reimburse the guardian of the trust beneficiary for guardianship administration expenses, attorneys fees, and other costs incurred during guardianship. The payment of some of these expenses may have been permitted, at the discretion of the trustee, but such payment was clearly not legally mandated by the trust provisions. Under such circumstances the court has no authority to compel the trustee to make such payments. Cohen v. Friedland, 450 So.2d 905 (Fla. 3d DCA 1984). In addition, there was no authority for the award of attorneys fees. See Florida Coast Bank of Pompano Beach v. Mayes, 437 So.2d 160 (Fla. 4th DCA 1983).

Accordingly, we reverse those provisions of the final judgment directing payment of guardianship administration expenses, utility and rental expenses incurred by the guardian and attorneys fees.

ANSTEAD and WALDEN, JJ„ and CO-WART, EDWARD D., Associate Judge, concur.