Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ared-3_19-cv-00346/USCOURTS-ared-3_19-cv-00346-53/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 190
Nature of Suit: Other Contract Actions
Cause of Action: 28:1441 Petition for Removal- Fraud

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS 

NORTHERN DIVISION 

IN RE ELIJAH AND MARY 

STINY TRUSTS 

ORDER 

No. 3:19-cv-346-DPM 

The Court appreciates the trustee's nineteenth status report, 

which was filed 13 November 2024. 

1. Attorney's Fees. Elan Darvish billed the trustee $19,301.06 for 

work done from 7 August 2024 to 27 September 2024. Glenn Lovett 

billed the trustee $1,575 for work done from 1 June 2024 to 

31 October 2024. Both lawyers' bills are reasonable for the necessary 

work done. And no one has opposed payment. The Court therefore 

authorizes the trustee to pay them from Regions Account No. xxxx4646. 

The Court notes that Brett Watson billed the trustee $2,040 for 

work done in September and October on the appeals. Watson's fees 

were covered by his $15,000 retainer, which the Court authorized in an 

earlier Order, Doc. 379. 

2. Trustee's Fees. The trustee's unopposed request to pay 

himself for work done between 26 July 2024 and 25 October 2024 is 

granted. His work is essential. And all the billing for that work is 

Case 3:19-cv-00346-DPM Document 397 Filed 12/23/24 Page 1 of 3
reasonable. The Court authorizes payment of $38,939.29* to the trustee 

from Regions Account No. xxxx4646. 

3. Petition for Distribution Delay. The trustee has asked to 

pause the distribution plan for ninety days based on the two pending 

appeals and the new California probate litigation. He would prefer to 

let these matters spin out a bit before making important decisions about 

the amount and timing of distributions. (He previewed this request 

back in May 2024, in his proposed distribution plan. Doc. 342 at 10.) 

One beneficiary, Jessica Baker, has objected to the pause. She says she's 

waited for her distribution long enough- more than five years -

and that she will be harmed by more delay. Her concern is reasonable; 

and the Court understands it. 

All material things considered, though, the Court concludes that 

a brief pause to get more information is prudent. It's too soon to tell 

what effect, if any, the pending litigation will have on the distribution 

plan. The material circumstances, especially as to the California 

proceeding and Eli's appeal, will be clearer by mid-January. The trust, 

and all beneficiaries, will benefit from more information. Objection, 

Doc. 394, overruled. Distribution pause approved as specified. 

Distribution plan paused until 14 February 2025. The sooner the trustee 

can evaluate the situation and file a further report on distribution the 

* There is a scrivener's error in the trustee's total request. Compare 

Doc. 393 at 11, with Doc. 393-9 at 19. 

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Case 3:19-cv-00346-DPM Document 397 Filed 12/23/24 Page 2 of 3
better. And given the age of this case, the trustee must propose some 

concrete steps forward by that date. 

4. Other Matters. The Court notes the closure of Mary Stiny' s 

estate and the filing of federal and state income tax returns for the 

Stiny Survivor's Administrative Trust. Good. The Court appreciates 

the trustee's recent second status report on the back-rent issue, 

Doc. 396. It gives a helpful and full picture. Any responses due by 

10 January 2025. 

5. Approval. The Court approves the trustee's nineteenth report, 

Doc. 393, and all actions taken by the trustee as specified in the report 

and in his attached statement, Doc. 393-9. 

So Ordered. 

D .P. Marshall Jr. 

United States District Judge 

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