Opinion ID: 4577672
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: standard of review

Text: [1,2] An appellate court reviews probate cases for error appearing on the record made in the county court. 1 When reviewing a judgment for errors appearing on the record, the inquiry is whether the decision conforms to the law, is supported by competent evidence, and is neither arbitrary, capricious, nor unreasonable. 2 [3,4] In considering a trial court’s order concerning the payment of GAL fees, the allowance, amount, and allocation of GAL fees is a matter within the initial discretion of a trial court, involves consideration of the equities and circumstances of each particular case, and will not be set aside on appeal in the absence of an abuse of discretion by the trial court. 3 A judicial abuse of discretion exists when a judge, within the effective limits of authorized judicial power, elects to act or refrains from acting, but the selected option results in a decision which is untenable and unfairly deprives a litigant of a substantial right or a just result in matters submitted for disposition through a judicial system. 4 1 In re Guardianship & Conservatorship of Karin P., 271 Neb. 917, 716 N.W.2d 681 (2006). 2 Id. 3 Id. 4 Id. - 458 - Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets 307 Nebraska Reports IN RE GUARDIANSHIP & CONSERVATORSHIP OF J.F. Cite as 307 Neb. 452 [5] Statutory interpretation is a question of law, which an appellate court resolves independently of the trial court. 5