Opinion ID: 1765162
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: County Court Issues Final orders in Both proceedings

Text: In September 2006, the court issued separate but identical orders in the probate proceeding and the trust proceeding. In each order, the court specifically stated that it consid ered its order final. It adopted the trustees' calculation of the augmented estate; it granted Birch attorney fees, to be later assessed against the trust; and it awarded Gail $6,930 for attorney fees while she was the personal representative. Gail appealed from the probate order. The Court of Appeals dismissed the appeal for lack of a final order in a special proceeding. In April 2007, in the trust proceeding, the trustees moved for a final order. The same month, the court entered a second final order in the trust proceeding, which was effectively the same as its September 2006 order. But in this order, the court specifically stated that all issues raised by Birch's petition had been resolved and that the trust proceeding was closed. Gail did not appeal from this order. In the probate proceeding, there remained some claims against the estate which the court resolved in May. In August 2007, Birch filed a petition for a final settlement of the probate proceeding, a petition to determine inheritance taxes, and his final accounting. In October, the court assessed taxes, approved Birch's final accounting, awarded him attorney fees from the trust assets, and entered a decree of final discharge. Gail appealed from the final probate order. On appeal, the trustees moved for summary dismissal, arguing that this court lacked jurisdiction because Gail had not appealed from the April 2007 final order in the trust proceed ing. They argued that because the April 2007 order was final and Gail had failed to appeal from that order, res judicata precluded her appeal in the probate proceeding. In granting the trustees' motion to bypass, this court simultaneously denied their motion for summary dismissal, without prejudice, subject to reconsideration after hearing the appeal.