Opinion ID: 884115
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Enforcement of Distribution Agreement

Text: The appellants raise the issue of whether enforcement of the distribution agreement was in error and Barbara argues that they lack standing to challenge the agreement. Under this agreement, Barbara agreed to receive a distribution of one-third of the estate, and the children agreed, through their guardian ad litem, to receive two-thirds of the estate which will be administrated by a corporate trustee. The distribution agreement provided that Barbara and the children's guardian ad litem agreed to enter into a private agreement among successors as to distribution of an estate, pursuant to Section 72-3-915, MCA, in order to settle the litigation in the probate matter pending in Blaine County District Court and to provide for a different distribution than provided under the laws of intestacy. Section 72-3-915(1), MCA, provides as follows: Subject to the rights of creditors and taxing authorities, competent successors may agree among themselves to alter the interests, shares, or amounts to which they are entitled under the will of the decedent or under the laws of intestacy in any way that they provide in a written contract executed by all who are affected by its provisions. The personal representative shall abide by the terms of the agreement subject to his obligation to administer the estate for the benefit of creditors, to pay all taxes and costs of administration, and to carry out the responsibilities of his office for the benefit of any successors of the decedent who are not parties. The appellants are not successors to the estate and so they are not proper parties to an agreement distributing the estate. They have no legal interest in the distribution of Michael's estate. Furthermore, Wanda's interests as a creditor of Michael's estate are completely provided for by statute. A party has no standing where there is no personal stake in the outcome of the controversy. Northern Border Pipeline Co. v. State (1989), 237 Mont. 117, 129, 772 P.2d 829, 836 (citing Olson, 726 P.2d at 1166). The appellants have no personal stake in the validity of the agreement. We therefore conclude that the appellants have no standing to claim the distribution agreement was improper. Accordingly, the issue of whether the District Court erred in approving the distribution agreement is not properly before us.