Opinion ID: 1927069
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Attorneys as Agents.

Text: The petitioner urges that the administratrix erred in permitting the attorneys for the estate to pay out the distributive shares. While this is the usual function of an administratrix, there is no impropriety in having this service done through attorneys as agents. The relationship between an attorney and his client is that of principal and agent. Wauwatosa Realty Co. v. Bishop (1959), 6 Wis. (2d) 230, 236, 94 N. W. (2d) 562; Ryan v. Department of Taxation (1943), 242 Wis. 491, 496, 8 N. W. (2d) 393; 2 Mechem, Agency (2d ed.), p. 1726, sec. 2150. The breadth of an attorney's agency is reflected in Illinois Steel Co. v. Warras (1909), 141 Wis. 119, 122, 123 N. W. 656. It would be inappropriate for the attorneys to perform nonlegal services which would ordinarily be done by the administratrix if this were a technique to enlarge the fees charged to the estate. Estate of Braasch (1957), 274 Wis. 569, 572, 80 N. W. (2d) 759; Will of Willing (1926), 190 Wis. 406, 414, 209 N. W. 602. However, there is no claim in the instant case that Mrs. Hiller's use of her attorneys  brought about an increased charge against the estate. In the absence of a showing that excessive fees were occasioned thereby, we are unable to discern any irregularity in the administratrix's having her attorneys make the disbursement of distributive shares. Indeed, the legal ramifications surrounding the payment of funds to a minor under guardianship would justify Mrs. Hiller's decision to have her attorneys perform the function. In any event, her turning this matter over to the attorneys does not make out a prima facie case of maladministration. The petition fails to allege that any harm was suffered by the minor as a result of the fact that the payment was made by the attorneys rather than by Mrs. Hiller.