Court Opinion

ID: 2715161
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-08-06 17:19:14.660679+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:51:08.767176
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

In re the Testamentary Trust of                        No. 69929-6-1
                                                       (Consolidated with Nos.
GIUSEPPE DESIMONE,                                      70094-4-1 and 70120-7-1)

                     Deceased.                         DIVISION ONE

DALE COLLINS, a married man,
                                                       UNPUBLISHED
                     Appellant/
                     Cross Respondent,                 FILED: March 31, 2014

               v.

BNY MELLON, N.A.; JOSEPH R.
DESIMONE and RICHARD L.
DESIMONE, JR., in their capacities as
Co-Trustees of the Testamentary Trust
OF GIUSEPPE DESIMONE.

                     Respondents/Cross
                     Appellants.

       Cox, J. — "The primary duty of a court called upon to interpret a will is to

ascertain the intent of the testator."1 If possible, the testator's intent should be

"derived from the four corners of the will and the will must be considered in its

entirety."2 "[T]he testator's intentions, as viewed through the surrounding

       1 In re Estate of Mell. 105 Wn.2d 518, 524, 716 P.2d 836 (1986).

       2 Id.
No. 69929-6-1 (Consolidated with Nos. 70094-4-1 and 70120-7-l)/2

circumstances and language, are determined as of the time of the execution of

the will."3

         Here, Giuseppe Desimone executed a will in 1943 that created a trust

that provided for income to his children and their "issue." The language of the

will, the then-existing law, and other circumstances in 1943 show that Giuseppe

intended that "issue" not include those born outside of wedlock.4 Accordingly,

Dale Collins, whose biological mother was never married to Giuseppe's son,

does not take under the will and trust. We affirm the grant of summary judgment

to respondents. We also deny attorney fees on appeal to all parties.

        The material facts are generally undisputed. Giuseppe and his wife

owned and operated the Pike Place Market and also owned extensive other real

property in King County.

        In 1943, Giuseppe executed a will that created a trust funded by half of the

extensive community estate. The will instructed that the remainder of the income

of the trust be annually divided among his five children who were all listed in the

will. Mondo Desimone was one of these five children of Giuseppe and his wife.

        The will further instructed that if Giuseppe's children died, leaving "issue

([Giuseppe's] grandchildren)," then the child's share would pass to the issue.

The will also provided that if his grandchildren died, leaving "issue ([Giuseppe's]

        3lg\

       4 We use the first name of the testator and adopt the naming conventions
of others for purposes of clarity.
No. 69929-6-1 (Consolidated with Nos. 70094-4-1 and 70120-7-l)/3

great-grandchildren)," then the grandchild's share would pass to the grandchild's

issue.

         Giuseppe died in 1946. Mondo died in 1996.

         In 2012, Dale commenced this TEDRA proceeding, claiming that he is

Giuseppe's grandchild and a beneficiary of the trust. Dale claims that in 2008 he

started to investigate whether Mondo was his biological father. Dale asserts that

he learned that in 1948 his mother worked at a stall in the Pike Place Market,

where Mondo owned a flower shop. He alleges that his mother, who was

married to another man at the time, had a brief affair with Mondo, who was also

married to someone else at the time. According to Dale, he was born as a result

of this affair.

         Respondents BNY Mellon, N.A., Joseph Desimone and Richard Desimone

Jr., are co-trustees (collectively the "Co-Trustees") of the trust. Benjamin Danieli

is the personal representative of the estate of Jacqueline Danieli, Mondo's

daughter, and Karen Danieli, Liza Taylor, and Maria Danieli are some of

Giuseppe's great grandchildren and beneficiaries of the trust (collectively the

"Danieli Beneficiaries"). Catherine Ross is another beneficiary, appearing pro se.

These parties all appear to dispute whether Dale is Giuseppe's biological

grandchild.

         The parties made cross motions for summary judgment. For purposes of
this motion, the court did not decide whether Dale is Giuseppe's biological

grandchild. The trial court granted the Co-Trustees' and the Danieli

Beneficiaries' motions for summary judgment, which Catherine had joined. The
No. 69929-6-1 (Consolidated with Nos. 70094-4-1 and 70120-7-l)/4

court also denied Dale's motion for summary judgment. Finally, the trial court

denied the motions for awards of attorney fees under TEDRA by the Co-Trustees

and the Danieli Beneficiaries.

       Dale appeals. The Co-Trustees and the Danieli Beneficiaries cross-

appeal.

                              INTENT OF TESTATOR

       Dale asserts that, according to the terms of Giuseppe's will, he is not

excluded from the class of trust income beneficiaries. We hold that the testator's

intent, as evidenced by the language in the will and the surrounding

circumstances in 1943, show that Dale is not included within the class of income

beneficiaries of the trust.

       Summary judgment is properly granted when the pleadings and affidavits

show there is no genuine issue of material fact and the moving party is entitled to

a judgment as a matter of law.5 The interpretation of a will is a question of law

that we review de novo.6

       "The primary duty of a court called upon to interpret a will is to ascertain

the intent of the testator."7 While a will speaks at the time of the testator's death,

"the testator's intentions, as viewed through the surrounding circumstances and

language, are determined as of the time of the execution of the will."8

       5 CR 56(c).

       6 In re Estate of Curry. 98 Wn. App. 107, 112-13, 988 P.2d 505 (1999).

       7 Mell, 105Wn.2dat524.

       8]d
                                              4
No. 69929-6-1 (Consolidated with Nos. 70094-4-1 and 70120-7-l)/5

       If possible, the testator's intent should be "derived from the four corners of

the will and the will must be considered in its entirety."9 "When, after reading the

will in its entirety, any uncertainty arises about the testator's intent, extrinsic

evidence .. . may be admitted to explain and resolve the ambiguity."10

       "The testator is presumed to be familiar with the 'surrounding

circumstances' that could affect the will's construction."11 A testator is also

"presumed to have known the law at the time of execution of his will."12

Additionally, "Technical words in a will are presumed to be used in their legalistic

sense."13

       Here, the material provisions of Giuseppe's will state:

               4. The remainder of the income of this Trust shall be
       annually divided between and paid to my children aforenamed.

               In the event that any of my said children shall die leaving
       issue (my grandchildren) surviving them, then the share of the
       income to which such child would have been entitled if alive shall
       be annually divided between and paid to its issue on the basis of
       one portion thereof to each male issue and one half portion thereof
       to each female issue.

              In the event that any of my said children shall die leaving no
       issue, then the share of such deceased child shall go to and be
       divided amongst my surviving children and the issue of any
       deceased children, the issue of any deceased child receiving the

       9]dL

       10 jU

       11 In re Estate of Price. 73 Wn. App. 745, 754, 871 P.2d 1079 (1994)
(quoting In re Estate of Berqau. 103 Wn.2d 431, 436, 693 P.2d 703 (1985)).

        12 Mell, 105Wn.2dat524.

        13 Erickson v. Reinbold. 6 Wn. App. 407, 420, 493 P.2d 794 (1972).
No. 69929-6-1 (Consolidated with Nos. 70094-4-1 and 70120-7-l)/6

      share which such deceased child would have taken if alive and
      dividing it among themselves on said basis of one portion thereof
      for each male child and one half-portion thereof for each female
      child.

             In the event that any of my grandchildren shall die leaving
      issue (my great-grandchildren) then the share to which such
      deceased grandchild would have been entitled if then alive shall go
      to and be paid annually to its issue, my great-grandchildren, on the
      basis of one share to each male issue of such deceased grandchild
      and one half-share to each female issue thereof.

              In the event of the death of any of my great grandchildren
      while it shall still be entitled to any part of this Trust, the share
      which such great grandchild would have taken if alive shall go to
      and be divided amongst the surviving issue of the grandchild
      through whom such great grandchild was taking, on the aforesaid
      basis of one portion thereof for each male child and one-half portion
      thereof for each female child.[14J

      To determine whether Giuseppe intended to include within the term

"issue" an alleged grandchild born out of wedlock, we lookfirst to the language of

the will and then to the surrounding circumstances in 1943. That is when

Giuseppe executed his will creating the trust.

       Giuseppe used the term "issue" throughout his will, but this instrument

does not contain any definition for the term. Because "issue" is a technical word,

we presume that it was used in its "legalistic sense."15 To determine its "legalistic

sense," we look to the intestacy statutes in effect in 1943.

       14 Clerk's Papers at 42-43 (emphasis added).

       15 Erickson, 6 Wn. App. at 420.

                                             6
No. 69929-6-1 (Consolidated with Nos. 70094-4-1 and 70120-7-l)/7

       Under the intestacy statutes, Rem. Rev. Stat. § 1354 provides that "[t]he

word 'issue,' as used in this chapter, includes all the lawful lineal descendants of

the ancestor."16

       In the case In re Estate of Wright, this court considered whether the term

"lawful descendants" used in a will included children born outside of wedlock.17

This court concluded that "'lawful' must be interpreted to mean born from legally

married parents."18

       Here, given that "issue" only included lawful lineal descents" under the

intestacy statutes in 1943, the use of the term "issue" in Giuseppe's will included

only "lawful issue" or grandchildren born of parents married to each other.

       Additionally, Giuseppe's will was prepared by a lawyer who presumably

knew the legal definition of "issue" at the time. In the case, In re Estate of Price,

the supreme court considered whether a testator intended for his grandchildren

to inherit.19 The testator's will stated that he left the residue of his estate to his

"surviving children."20 The supreme court affirmed the trial court, which

determined that the testator did not intend for his grandchildren to inherit based

on the language of the will.21 In part of its reasoning, the supreme court

       16 Rem. Rev. Stat. § 1354 (1931) (emphasis added).

       17 147 Wn. App. 674, 676, 196 P.3d 1075 (2008).

       18 lU at 685.

       19 75 Wn.2d 884, 886-90, 454 P.2d 411(1969).

       20 kL at 886.

       21 Id. at 887-90.
No. 69929-6-1 (Consolidated with Nos. 70094-4-1 and 70120-7-l)/8

explained that the will was drafted by an "attorney, who presumably advised the

testator of the law of intestacy."22 "If the testator had wanted to provide for

grandchildren, it would have been easy to do so in the customary way . . . ."23

       Similarly, here, Giuseppe's will was drafted by a lawyer who presumably

advised Giuseppe of the meaning of "issue" in 1943. If Giuseppe intended to

include all issue, without regard to marital status of parents, his lawyer could

have used different language in the will.

       Given the technical language in the will and the surrounding

circumstances at the time Giuseppe executed it in 1943, we conclude that his

use of the term "issue" was intended to limit the income beneficiaries of the trust

to his grandchildren of parents married to each other. Because Dale is not within

this class of beneficiaries, he is not entitled to any income from the trust.

       Dale contends that the will's use of the term "issue (my grandchildren)"

and "issue (my great grandchildren)" changes or broadens the meaning of

"issue." He focuses on the words in the parentheses that follow each use of the

term "issue." Accordingly, Dale argues that under the ordinary meaning of

"grandchildren," he would qualify as an income beneficiary.

       We read the will to use the term "issue" primarily to describe each class of

income beneficiaries. The parenthetical use of the terms "grandchildren" and

"great-grandchildren," respectively are used secondarily to clarify the tier of

distribution.

       22 JU at 888.

       23 Id.

                                              8
No. 69929-6-1 (Consolidated with Nos. 70094-4-1 and 70120-7-l)/9

       For example, the term "issue" is used consistently throughout the will. But

the parenthetical explanation of "grandchildren," for one tier of distribution is used

to distinguish the term "great-grandchildren" in another tier of distribution. Thus,

contrary to Dale's argument, the use of these latter words does not change or

broaden the scope of "issue." Rather, these latter words in the parentheses only

provide clarification as to which "issue" Giuseppe was referring.

       Dale next asserts that when Giuseppe executed his will in 1943, the term

"issue," without reference to the intestacy statutes, included "all descendants."

Dale's support for this argument is solely based on language in a 1930 supreme

court case, Bowles v. Denny.24 Reliance on that case is misplaced.

       There, the supreme court considered whether the term "issue" included a

specific generation of descendants.25 In doing so, the court stated that "'[i]n its

general sense, unconfined by any indication of intention to the contrary, the word

issue includes in its meaning all descendants.' "26 The court cited cases outside

this state and other authorities to support, by its own words, this general

statement.27 This general statement does not control here.

       First, the supreme court considered the general meaning of "issue" in an

entirely different context than in this case. The Bowles court did not consider

       24 Brief of Appellant at 7 (citing Bowles v. Denny, 155 Wash. 535, 541, 285
P. 422(1930)).

       25 Bowles, 155 Wash, at 539-40.

       26 Id, at 541 (emphasis added) (internal quotation marks) (quoting Drake v.
Drake, 134 N.Y. 220, 224, 32 N.E. 114 (1892)).

       27
            Id.
No. 69929-6-1 (Consolidated with Nos. 70094-4-1 and 70120-7-l)/10

whether the term "issue" included grandchildren born out of wedlock, as is the

case here. Thus, the general statement in that case does not apply to the issue

in this case.

       Second, other authorities have recognized that the term "issue" in the

1940s did not include grandchildren born out of wedlock. For example, in

Powers v. Wilkinson, the Massachusetts Supreme Court recognized in 1987 that

the meaning of this term had evolved over time.28 It quoted a case from 1947,

which stated,

       "We can hardly regard this as an open question in this
       Commonwealth. It cannot be doubted that by the common law of a
       few generations ago such words as issue, children, descendants,
       and so forth as descriptive of a class in a grant, devise, or legacy,
       in the absence of anything indicating a contrary intent, meant only
       persons of the class who were born in lawful wedlock."1291

These other authorities, more on point than Bowles, show that the general

understanding of the term "issue" in the 1940s did not include children born out of

wedlock.

       Dale also argues that Wright, a 2008 case, supports the conclusion that

the absence of the term "lawful" means that Giuseppe meant to include

grandchildren born out of wedlock.30 We disagree with that reasoning.

       In Wright, this court concluded that "the use of the term 'lawful

descendants' in a will manifested] the intent on the part of a testatrix to limit a

       28 399 Mass. 650, 653-54, 506 N.E.2d 842 (1987).

       29 \± at 654 (quoting Fiduciary Trust Co. v. Mishou, 321 Mass. 615, 634,
75N.E.2d3(1947)).

       30 Brief of Appellant at 9 (citing Wright. 147 Wn. App. at 685).

                                              10
No. 69929-6-1 (Consolidated with Nos. 70094-4-1 and 70120-7-l)/11

class gift to children of married parents."31 Because no Washington case had

examined the meaning of the modifier "lawful," this court looked to other

jurisdictions.32 It explained, "The great majority of courts that have examined the

question have concluded that, when used in a testamentary instrument to modify

words such as 'children,' 'issue,' or 'descendants,' the word 'lawful' must be read

as representing the intent to limit a bequest to children of legally married

parents."33

       Dale cites this case to argue that the "converse" of Wright is true.34

Because Giuseppe did not use the word "lawful" to modify "issue," Dale contends

that Giuseppe intended to include grandchildren born out of wedlock in the class.

But Wright does not properly stand for the converse reading.

       Wright was interpreting a will executed in 1992.35 Consequently, as we

previously discussed in connection with the Massachusetts case, the meaning of

"issue" was different from the meaning of this word in 1943. According to the

general understanding of this term in 1943, itwould have been redundant to use

the term "lawful issue." Dale does not cite to any authority other than Wright to

explain how the absence of the word "lawful" is significant given the general

meaning of "issue" in 1943. Thus, not including "lawful" in this case does not

       31 Wright. 147 Wn. App. at 676.

       32 JU at 681.

       33 JU at 682.

       34 Brief of Appellant at 9 (citing Wright, 147 Wn. App. at 685).

       35 Wright. 147 Wn. App. at 677.

                                             11
No. 69929-6-1 (Consolidated with Nos. 70094-4-1 and 70120-7-l)/12

reveal Giuseppe's testamentary intent to include grandchildren born out of

wedlock in the class of income beneficiaries.

       Dale also argues that intestacy statutes are inapplicable to determining

intent of testators in wills. His point is that we should not look to the intestacy

statutes in existence at the time the will was executed for the definition of

"issue."36 We reject this argument.

       First, he argues that the definition for "issue" plainly states that it is limited

to the intestacy chapter.37 While the statutory definition states that the "word

'issue,' as used in this chapter, includes all the lawful lineal descendants of the

ancestor," the emphasized phrase does not necessarily bar us from looking to

this definition to determine the then general understanding of the term "issue."38
The intestacy statutes are part of the surrounding circumstances that we can look

to when construing the will.39

       Second, Dale also cites Wright to argue that the definition of "issue" is

inapplicable in this case.40 There, this court stated, "It bears observing, of
course, that the laws of intestacy are by definition inapplicable when the

       36 Brief of Appellant at 8 (citing Wright, 147 Wn. App. at 683).

       37 ]g\ at 8 n.2 (quoting Rem. Rev. Stat. § 1354).

       38 Rem. Rev. Stat. § 1354 (emphasis added).

       39 See Price, 73 Wn. App. at 754 ("The testator is presumed to be familiar
with the 'surrounding circumstances' that could affect the will's construction.").

       40 Reply Brief of Appellant at 2 (citing Wright, 147 Wn. App. at 683).

                                               12
No. 69929-6-1 (Consolidated with Nos. 70094-4-1 and 70120-7-l)/13

decedent leaves a will."41 But the analysis we outlined previously in this opinion

does not do this. Rather, the definition is one source to help us determine the

general understanding of this term in 1943.

       Alternatively, Dale asserts that if the intestacy laws are relevant to the

interpretation of the will, the court must look to the law applicable when the class

of income beneficiaries is ascertained. Currently, the intestacy statutes do not

determine who "issue" may be based on the marital status of their parents.42 We

are not persuaded that this change in the intestacy statutes warrants a departure

from the general rule that we determine the intent of the testator at the time of the

making of a will, not some time thereafter.

       To support this alternative argument, Dale makes two assertions that rely

on In re Trust of Sollid.43 There, Division Three considered whether adopted

children were income beneficiaries for their adoptive grandparents' trust.44 The

trust provided: "'Upon the death of the last of the three named beneficiaries, then

the corpus of the trust shall be delivered and paid to the then surviving issue,

including lineal descendants, ofthe three beneficiaries, per stirpes.'"45 The court
concluded that the term "issue," under then current law, included "'all the lawful

       41 Wright, 147 Wn. App. at 683.

       42 See RCW 11.02.005; 11.04.081.

       43 Brief of Appellant at 10 (citing In re Trust of Sollid. 32 Wn. App. 349, 647
P.2d 1033(1982)).

       44Sollid.32Wn.App.at351.

       45 Id. at 357 (emphasis added).

                                              13
No. 69929-6-1 (Consolidated with Nos. 70094-4-1 and 70120-7-l)/14

lineal descendants of the ancestor and all lawfully adopted children.'"46

Accordingly, the court applied the then current statute and concluded that the

adopted children were "issue."47

      The respondents in that case argued that Division Three should not rely

on the current statute because it was "not in effect at the time the trusts were

executed."48 Division Three rejected that argument based on a number of

reasons including the following: (1) "several courts have upheld retroactive

application of liberalized adoption statutes," and (2) "the settlor was presumed to

understand that a statute fixing the rights of an adopted child would be subject to

change; thus, a statute requiring adopted children be treated as trust

beneficiaries was retroactively applied."49

       Citing Sollid's first reason, Dale argues that we should retroactively apply

the liberalized statutes regarding grandchildren born out of wedlock.50 Currently,

RCW 11.04.081 states, "For the purpose of inheritance to, through, and from any

child, the effects and treatment of the parent-child relationship shall not depend

upon whether or not the parents have been married." The current definition for

       46 JU (quoting RCW 11.02.005(4)).

       47 Id,

       48 jdL

       49 Id,

       50 Reply Brief of Appellant at 8-10 (citing Sollid, 32 Wn. App. at 357).

                                              14
No. 69929-6-1 (Consolidated with Nos. 70094-4-1 and 70120-7-l)/15

"issue" is "aWthe lineal descendants of an individual."51 We decline this invitation

to extend the rationale of Sollid to this case.

       Generally, statutes are presumed to have prospective application only.52

Dale fails to cite any case where RCW 11.04.081 was held to have any

retroactive application. Additionally, Sollid and the cases it relies on involved

adopted children.53 Dale is not an adopted child.

       Citing Sollid's second reason, Dale argues that we should presume that

Giuseppe understood that rights of grandchildren born out of wedlock would be

subject to change when he executed his will.54 For this proposition, the Sollid

court cited Wilmington Trust Co. v. Huber.55 In Wilmington, a trust was created in

1951, at a time when Delaware law treated adopted children differently than

"natural born" children.56 But in 1952, a statute was enacted that "drastically]

change[d]" the law to treat adopted children and "natural born" children the

       51 RCW 11.02.005(8) (emphasis added).

       52 Whidbev Envtl. Action Network v. Island County. 122 Wn. App. 156, 180
n.65, 93 P.3d 885 (2004).

       53 See Sollid, 32 Wn. App. at 357 (citing Purifov v. Mercantile-Safe Deposit
& Trust Co., 273 Md. 58, 327 A.2d 483 (1974); Peele v. Finch, 284 N.C. 375, 200
S.E.2d 635 (1973); In re Estate of Wehrhane, 149 N.J. Super. 41, 372 A.2d 1365
(1977)).

       54 Reply Brief of Appellant at 8 (citing Sollid. 32 Wn. App. at 357).

       55 Sollid, 32 Wn. App. at 357 (citing Wilmington Trust Co. v. Huber, 311
A.2d 892 (Del. Ch. 1973)).

       56 Wilmington, 311 A.2d at 893-94.

                                              15
No. 69929-6-1 (Consolidated with Nos. 70094-4-1 and 70120-7-l)/16

same.57 The Delaware court explained that the trustor is presumed to

"understand that a statute fixing the rights of an adopted child is subject to

change in future"58

       The problem with this approach is that it departs from the well-established

principle that "the testator's intentions, as viewed through the surrounding

circumstances and language, are determined as of the time of the execution of

the will."59 Based on this record, it is entirely speculative to conclude that

Giuseppe thought about howthe rights of grandchildren born out of wedlock

could change in the future. Thus, this argument is not persuasive.

       Next, Dale cites two Delaware cases, Annan v. Wilmington Trust Co. and

Haskell v. Wilmington Trust Co., for the "modem rule" regarding the law that

determines a class of beneficiaries.60 In Annan, the Delaware Supreme Court

considered whether children born out of wedlock were included within the term

"issue" in a trust instrument.61 The court explained, "Read in their entirety, the

trust instruments do not indicate whether illegitimate children fall under the

definition of 'issue.' The term is not defined in the documents. Furthermore, the

circumstances surrounding the creation of the trusts do not tend to support one

       57 jU

       58 IdL at 895.

       59 Mell, 105 Wn.2d at 524 (emphasis added).

      60 Brief of Appellant at 10-11 (citing Annan v. Wilmington Trust Co., 559
A.2d 1289 (Del. 1989); Haskell v. Wilmington Trust Co., 304 A.2d 53 (Del.
1973)).

       61 Annan, 559 A.2d at 1292-93.

                                              16
No. 69929-6-1 (Consolidated with Nos. 70094-4-1 and 70120-7-l)/17

definition of 'issue' over another."62 It is not clear why the court came to the

conclusion that the meaning of "issue" was not apparent, but it did note that the

terms "issue" and "lineal descendants" were used interchangeably in the trusts.63

       Because the trustor's intent was not clear, the court applied the "modern

rule."64 Citing Haskell, the court explained, "'the applicable law to the

determining of a class following the termination of a life interest is the law as it

exists on the date of ascertainment, unless the documents themselves

demonstrate a clear intent on the part of the creator to limit the class as it was

defined by law on the date ofexecution ofthe trusts.'"65
       First, Dale does not cite a Washington case to show that our courts follow

this "modern rule." Moreover, this case is distinguishable from Annan. There,

the court applied the "modern rule" only after it determined that the trust

instrument and the surrounding circumstances did not reveal the testator's

intent.66 Unlike Annan, the language in Giuseppe's will and the surrounding

circumstances make his intent clear. Thus, even if the "modern rule" could apply,

it would not here. For these reasons, Dale's reliance on these cases is not

persuasive.

       62 Id, at 1292 (citations omitted).

       63 id, at 1292 n.1.

       64 jU

       65 id, (quoting Haskell, 304 A.2d at 54).

       66 id,

                                               17
No. 69929-6-1 (Consolidated with Nos. 70094-4-1 and 70120-7-l)/18

       In sum, the trial court did not err when it granted the Co-Trustees' and the

Danieli Beneficiaries' motions for summary judgment. The will and the

surrounding circumstances show that Giuseppe's intent, at the time the will was

executed, was not to include grandchildren born out of wedlock in the class of

income beneficiaries.

                                 ATTORNEY FEES

       Dale seeks fees on appeal. The Co-Trustees and the Danieli

Beneficiaries cross-appeal arguing that the trial court abused its discretion when

it denied their requests for attorney fees. They also request fees on appeal. We

hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying fees. Moreover, we

do not award fees to anyone on appeal.

       The basis for all fee requests is RCW 11.96A.150(1), which states that

"the superior court or any court on an appeal may, in its discretion, order costs,

including reasonable attorneys' fees, to be awarded to any party: (a) From any

party to the proceedings." Attorney fees may be awarded "in such amount and in

such manner as the court determines to be equitable."67 This court may

"consider any relevant factor, including whether a case presents novel or unique

issues."68

       This court reviews a trial court's decision to award or deny fees under this

statute for abuse of discretion.69

       67 RCW 11.96A. 150(1).

       68 In re Guardianship of Lamb. 173 Wn.2d 173, 198, 265 P.3d 876 (2011).

       69 In re Estate of Black, 153 Wn.2d 152, 173, 102 P.3d 796 (2004).
                                             18
No. 69929-6-1 (Consolidated with Nos. 70094-4-1 and 70120-7-l)/19

       Dale does not make a persuasive case for the award of fees on appeal.

Likewise, the Co-Trustees and the Danieli Beneficiaries fail to show that the trial

court abused its discretion in denying fees. And they fail to make a persuasive

case for fee awards on appeal. The case authority on which they rely is, in our

view, unpersuasive for various reasons.70 Accordingly, we deny all requests for

fees on appeal.

      We affirm the summary judgment orders before us, the denial of attorney

fees below, and deny all requests for attorney fees on appeal.

                                                          Cz^,J.
WE CONCUR:

y fl-u'lr^f-gg..
                                                                                      XT   •"• "-'

       70 See Villegas v. McBride, 112 Wn. App. 689, 697, 50 P.3d 678 (2002)
(awarding fees to the estate where the appellants failed to comply with
procedural requirements, the litigation deprived the decedent's children of part of
their inheritance, and the decedent's estate was not a wealthy one); In re Boris V.
Korrv Testamentary Marital Deduction Trust for Wife, 56 Wn. App. 749, 756, 785
P.2d 484 (1990) (concluding that the trial court did not abuse its discretion when
it awarded fees to another party from the trust corpus and not the charities
because there was no evidence of "bad faith" on the part of the charities, the
charities made a "plausible argument," and the charities were "heavily burdened
by their own fees and costs").

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