Opinion ID: 1940707
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: the improperly transferred personal property was sufficiently returned to the estate

Text: At the time the final account was filed, the cash distributions of $6,250 to each of the Viereck daughters were restored to the guardianship funds. The annuities, or their equivalent, which were distributed to all of the daughters except Ethel Ferguson (who was deceased at the time of the distribution), [6] were also returned to the guardianship. Mitchell also claims that Bates illegally transferred some items of Viereck's personal property which have not been returned to the estate. These include several diamond rings, a Black Hills gold ring, china, a silver tea service, coins, and an old broken safe. The silver service and china are listed with the inventory of Viereck's personal items in the final account. According to Bates, all of the jewelry and coins are in the possession of the Viereck daughters in Huron. Bates stated that he has the safe in the basement of his house, also in Huron. Bates claimed that the reason he transferred these valuable items from Viereck's empty house was to protect them from possible theft. There is no evidence that Bates intended to steal these items from his ward. The final guardianship account omitted the jewelry, coins, and safe from the inventory of personal items. These items remain in the possession of Bates and Viereck's daughters in Huron, South Dakota. The record shows that Bates advised the executor as to the location of these items. Bates has accounted for them. Although this is an improper method of returning the property to the executor, the court found no error and the executor failed to appeal. Therefore, Mitchell's request to reverse the final account and remand for further proceedings fails since the personal property has been accounted for and the executor may distribute it in accordance with the terms of Viereck's will.