Opinion ID: 2516567
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: S.H. I Controls this Case.

Text: S.H. argues that the conservator did not have the authority to settle the case with CPS and ARI, as he petitioned for termination of his conservatorship. S.H. further argues that the superior court erred in granting the order for distribution of settlement funds and terminating the appointment of the conservator. In 1997 the special conservator stated that it was in S.H.'s best interest to accept the settlement offer of $500,000 and that S.H.'s chances of recovering a judgment in excess of that offer were basically nonexistent. [32] Accordingly, the conservator approved the settlement on behalf of S.H. The conservator, CPS, and ARI then stipulated to interplead the settlement funds. [33] The settlement monies were deposited with the court registry and awaited distribution pending S.H.'s appeal to this court. [34] Our decision upholding the appointment of a conservator and ratifying his authority to enter into the settlement with ARI was announced in August 1999. On October 7, 1999 the special conservator and CPS filed a stipulation for distribution of settlement funds. That same day, S.H. petitioned to have the conservatorship revoked. However, as the settlement had been entered into in 1997, S.H.'s claim had already been disposed of by the conservator. When this court upheld the conservatorship, the settlement funds in the court registry became S.H.'s. As such, with the distribution of funds, S.H. no longer had an interest in the ARI litigation and the conservatorship was to end by the order of the appointment.