Opinion ID: 2621655
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: equity of awarding fees in this case

Text: ¶28 We now address Joe and Rikki's argument that the court of appeals upheld the award of attorney fees in contravention of equity. Joe and Rikki rely on three facts that they contend render the award of attorney fees inequitable in this case. First, Joe and Rikki argue that Linnea is guilty of serious misconduct and is therefore undeserving of an award. They point specifically to the fact that Linnea supported Dwight and John in their filing of motions designed to effectuate an unfair distribution of the estate. Although this alleged misconduct was argued to both the trial court and the court of appeals, neither court found it persuasive and neither court concluded that Linnea's actions were improper. Our review of the record reveals nothing to suggest that the court of appeals was incorrect with respect to this conclusion. ¶29 Second, Joe and Rikki assert that they acted in good faith. They therefore urge us to conclude that the award of attorney fees was improper or, alternatively, that it should be satisfied from the assets of the trust. [5] Their claim is undermined, however, by the trial court's findings that Joe and Rikki disregarded the plain language of all of the trust documents regarding priority of trustees, engaged in a pattern aimed at remaining as trustees without interference from their siblings, failed to regularly account to trust beneficiaries as required by statute, ignored legal counsel concerning the disposition of funds removed from the Marital Trust, and paid themselves excessive trustee fees. ¶30 Finally, Joe and Rikki argue that no award should have been granted because Linnea sought personal benefit in this litigation and the trust was not benefitted as a whole by her actions. We disagree. The record does not show that Linnea sought only personal gain. Indeed, the litigation resulted in a recapture of substantial funds to the trust estate, which benefitted all of the beneficiaries.