Opinion ID: 1670869
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: payment of claims

Text: Morris Jr. next contests the procedure by which Cullipher paid claims filed against the estate. Specifically, he argues that certain claims timely presented as debts of the decedent were not filed with verifications and allowed by the court prior to payment. The Statute of Nonclaim is not raised by the appellant as an issue. It is true that the probate judge did not allow these claims prior to their payment by Cullipher. But the judge approved their payment after the fact in his September 13, 1990, order. In the past we have held that substantial compliance with the formalities for filing and approving claims is sufficient under certain circumstances. See Merritt v. Rollins, 231 Ark. 384, 329 S.W.2d 544 (1959) (registered mail of claim to personal representative as specified by statute not required when claim is personally delivered). Because of the probate judge's subsequent approval of these claims, we hold that there was substantial compliance in this case. Morris Jr. further contests payment of significant legal and accounting fees as administrative expenses of the estate. The authorizing statute reads: (b) Claims for expenses of administration may be allowed upon application of the claimant or of the personal representative, or may be allowed at any accounting, regardless of whether or not they have been paid by the personal representative. Ark.Code Ann. § 28-50-105(b). Morris Jr. maintains that the fees claimed and paid were excessive in view of the size of the estate. The fees are high$81,932 for legal fees and $23,450 for accounting fees, according to Morris Jr.but the value of such services rendered is primarily a matter within the discretion of the probate judge, and we will not reverse that finding absent an abuse of discretion. Again, we note, as did the probate judge, that there were numerous lawsuits brought against Cullipher and the estate by Morris Jr. We are not privy to precisely what those lawsuits entailed, since they are not part of the record. The probate judge, however, found that they were suits against Cullipher in her official capacity, and there is nothing before us to counter that. We also agree with the probate judge that in the instant case Cullipher's actions, which are now contested by Morris Jr., were taken in her official capacity. The legal defense of lawsuits brought by Morris Jr. as principal descendant of the testator as well as his demand for comprehensive accountings undoubtedly enhanced the administrative claims. It is true that had the statutory formula been used for the award of attorney's fees, the award would have been much less than the $81,932 paid in legal fees, even if part of the decedent's property passing to Cullipher by operation of law had formed part of the estate. See Ark.Code Ann. § 28-48-108(d) (1987). But, the probate judge has authority to approve legal fees in excess of the statutory legal fees under § 28-48-108(d) and did so in this case. He further was authorized to approve accounting fees under Ark.Code Ann. § 28-48-108(e) (1987). For the reasons set out above, we hold that his ruling on the fees did not constitute an abuse of discretion.