Case Name: Lena Restaino vs. Joanne M. Vannah, administratrix
Court: Massachusetts Appeals Court
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Decision Date: 1985-05-07
Citations: 20 Mass. App. Ct. 903
Docket Number: 
Parties: Lena Restaino vs. Joanne M. Vannah, administratrix.
Judges: 
Reporter: Massachusetts Appeals Court Reports
Volume: 20
Pages: 903–904

Head Matter:
Lena Restaino vs. Joanne M. Vannah, administratrix.
May 7, 1985.

Opinion:
The appeal is without merit. The appellant administratrix expresses doubt about the source of the power of the probate judge to award the fee but the power is surely there, whether G. L. c. 215, § 39, or G. L. c. 193, § 11, be the more cogent source. Then the appellant asserts that the appellee should have filed her petition for allowance of the fee together with her account; but while that may be the customary or convenient practice, we find no authority for the proposition that it must inevitably be followed. Further, the appellant argues that the claim for a fee, because lodged more than a year after the appellee's term as special administratrix expired, was barred by G. L. c. 260, § 11. It appears on the face of that statute, however, that it is a statute of limitations that applies to claims between outsiders and estates and has nothing to do with the fee claims of those who administer the estates in fiduciary capacities. There is no challenge to the finding of the judge that the award was deserved and reasonable in amount. The appellant has sought to inject, as somehow an objection to the award, that the appellee (who is not a member of the bar) offered for probate a will improperly executed or attested which was disallowed after contest. There is no suggestion of actual misconduct here to impeach the award, nor should the award be diminished because a will contest involves expense.
John A. Brennan, Jr., for the defendant.
DonaldL. Conn., Jr., for the plaintiff.
Order affirmed.