Court Opinion

ID: 3147786
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-22 18:37:13.980471+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:55:19.899661
License: Public Domain

FIRST DIVISION
                                                                       May 9, 2011

No. 1-10-0090

JUDITH BAEZ, Individually and as Special Administrator             )      Appeal from the
of the Estate of Rafael Marquez, Deceased,                         )      Circuit Court of
                                                                   )      Cook County
                Plaintiff-Appellee,                                )
                                                                   )
       v.                                                          )      No. 08 L 010215
                                                                   )
GARRETT ROSENBERG,                                                 )
                                                                   )
                Defendant                                          )
                                                                   )
(Jesenia Laureano, Guardian of the Estate of Destiny Alexia        )
Marquez, a Minor,                                                  )      Honorable
                                                                   )      Ronald S. Davis,
                Petitioner-Appellant).                             )      Judge Presiding.

       JUSTICE LAMPKIN delivered the judgment of the court, with opinion.
       Presiding Justice Hall and Justice Rochford concurred in the judgment and opinion.

                                           OPINION

       A settlement was reached in a wrongful death and survival suit brought by the deceased’s

estate against the other driver involved in the collision. The circuit court (1) distributed the

settlement proceeds among the deceased’s parents and minor child; (2) awarded funeral and

burial expenses to reimburse expenditures made by the deceased’s parents; (3) awarded attorney

fees and costs to both the special administrator’s and the child’s attorneys; and (4) denied the
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motion filed on behalf of the child to substitute her mother as the special administrator instead of

the deceased’s mother. An appeal was filed on behalf of the child.

       We hold that: (1) only the child of the deceased, not his parents, was his “next of kin”

and entitled to the proceeds from the settlement of the wrongful death claim; (2) the parents were

not entitled under the wrongful death claim to reimbursement for the funeral and burial expenses

they advanced to the deceased’s estate; (3) the attorney for the special administrator was not

entitled to attorney fees and costs pursuant to a contract, the common fund doctrine, or equitable

principles; and (4) the circuit court must review on remand the motion to substitute the special

administrator.

       Accordingly, we reverse the circuit court’s awards to the deceased’s parents of wrongful

death settlement proceeds and funeral and burial expenses. We also reverse the circuit court’s

award of fees and costs to the special administrator’s attorney. Further, we reverse and remand

for review the court’s denial of the motion to substitute the special administrator.

                                        I. BACKGROUND

       This dispute arose after the July 1, 2008 death of Rafael Marquez, who was involved in a

collision with a car while he was riding his motorcycle. At the time of his death, Rafael was

survived by his parents, Judith Baez and Mario Marquez, and a brother. In addition, Jesenia

Laureano claimed that she was pregnant with Rafael’s child. Baez retained Regina P. Etherton &

Associates, LLC (Etherton), as counsel. Laureano retained Heller & Richmond, Ltd.

(Richmond), as counsel.

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       On September 5, 2008, the insurance carrier for the car that struck Rafael offered the

$100,000 policy limit to both counsel “to extinguish all claims.” The insurance carrier needed

court approval of the settlement with documentation that the court had addressed the claims

presented by both attorneys and specific instructions as to how and to whom to issue the checks.

Once that documentation was received, the insurance carrier would forward the appropriate

releases.

       On September 15, 2008, Baez filed a petition moving the court to appoint her as special

administrator of Rafael’s estate pursuant to the Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180/1 et seq.

(West 2008)) and the Code of Civil Procedure (735 ILCS 5/2-1008 (West 2008)). The petition

stated that Rafael’s death created causes of action for his next of kin “for, inter alia, wrongful

death and pecuniary losses under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act [citation]; for physical injury,

pain, suffering and medical and other expenses under the Illinois Survival Act, 755 ILCS 5/27-6

(West 2008); and under other statutes and laws in such cases made and provided.” The petition

also stated that those causes of action were the only relevant assets of the estate and a petition for

letters of office had not been filed for the estate. That same day, the circuit court appointed Baez

as special administrator “for the purpose of prosecuting each individual cause of action for

damages on the behalf of the Estate pursuant to the Illinois Wrongful Death Act [citation], the

Illinois Survival Act [citation], and other statutes and laws in such cases made and provided.”

Also that same day, Baez filed a complaint for damages on behalf of Rafael’s estate, asserting a

wrongful death action (count I) and a survival action (count II).

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       On September 17, 2008, Baez filed a petition to distribute settlement funds pursuant to

section 2 of the Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180/2 (West 2008)). The petition asserted that

the $100,000 settlement proceeds should be distributed to Rafael’s mother, father and brother in

proportions determined by the court. The petition stated that Laureano claimed to be carrying

Rafael’s unborn child, but Rafael’s family challenged the paternity of that child and did not

believe any money should be distributed to the child.

       On November 23, 2008, Laureano gave birth to Destiny Marquez. In January 2009,

Laureano filed a petition seeking DNA testing to determine whether Rafael was Destiny’s father.

The court ordered such testing, and a DNA test report dated February 13, 2009, indicated a

99.9995% probability that Baez and Mario Marquez were Destiny’s biological grandparents. On

May 12, 2009, the court noted that the parties agreed the test results indicated that Rafael was

Destiny’s biological parent.

       The circuit court held an evidentiary hearing and then, on August 14, 2009, issued its

decision on the petition to approve the settlement, determine the proper dependents, and

distribute the settlement funds. Transcripts of those hearings were not included in the record on

review. The circuit court found that the $100,000 settlement was fair, adjudged Rafael to be

Destiny’s father, and determined that Rafael’s mother Baez, father Mario Marquez, and child

Destiny were entitled to distributions. The court determined that Baez and Mario Marquez were

dependent on Rafael for support, whereas Destiny was only partially dependent on him for

support. The court awarded $13,713.26 to Baez and $13,713.26 to Mario Marquez. In addition,

they should “receive $13,041 to reimburse for funeral expenses which they expended.” The

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court also awarded Etherton $22,222 in attorney fees and $762.96 for expenses. Further, the

court awarded Destiny $27,427.52. Finally, the court awarded Richmond $8,200 for attorney

fees and $920 for costs.

       Laureano filed a motion for reconsideration, which argued that: (1) the award to Rafael’s

parents was contrary to the Wrongful Death Act because they were not classified as his next of

kin where he was survived by his child; (2) the funeral expenses paid by Rafael’s parents were

not recoverable under the Wrongful Death Act; (3) the award of attorney fees to Etherton was

error; and (4) the allocation of attorney fees to Richmond was inequitable. Laureano also filed a

motion to substitute administrators. Specifically, she asserted that special administrator Baez had

a conflict of interest with Destiny, who was Rafael’s sole beneficiary under the Wrongful Death

Act, and Laureano should be appointed special administrator instead of Baez.

       In response, Baez objected to Laureano’s motion for reconsideration and motion to

substitute administrators. Baez also moved the court to assess attorney fees against Laureano and

Richmond.

       The circuit court denied Baez’s motion to assess attorney fees; denied Laureano’s motion

for reconsideration; and denied Laureano’s motion to substitute administrators. A timely appeal

was filed on behalf of the estate of Destiny Marquez, a minor, by her mother, petitioner

Laureano.

                                         II. ANALYSIS

                                         A. Next of Kin

       Petitioner Laureano challenges the award of settlement proceeds to Rafael’s parents,

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arguing that her daughter Destiny is the sole beneficiary of Rafael’s estate under the Wrongful

Death Act. The meaning of a statute is an issue of law that we decide de novo. Miller v.

Kramarczyk, 306 Ill. App. 3d 731, 732 (1999).

       The Wrongful Death Act created a statutory cause of action that affords a remedy limited

to a defined class of individuals upon the wrongful death of another. Porter v. Klein

Construction Co., 162 Ill. App. 3d 1, 3 (1987). The Wrongful Death Act must be strictly

construed and not rewritten to comport with a court’s idea of orderliness and public policy.

Miller, 306 Ill. App. 3d at 732; Forthenberry v. Franciscan Sisters Health Care Corp., 156 Ill.

App. 3d 634, 637 (1987). The Wrongful Death Act provides:

       “Every such action shall be brought by and in the names of the personal

       representatives of such deceased person, and, except as otherwise hereinafter

       provided, the amount recovered in every such action shall be for the exclusive

       benefit of the surviving spouse and next of kin of such deceased person.” 740

       ILCS 180/2 (West 2008).

The proceeds of a successful wrongful death suit are apportioned as follows:

               “The amount recovered in any such action shall be distributed by the court

       in which the cause is heard or, in the case of an agreed settlement, by the circuit

       court, to each of the surviving spouse and next of kin of such deceased person in

       the proportion, as determined by the court, that the percentage of dependency of

       each such person upon the deceased person bears to the sum of the percentages of

       dependency of all such persons upon the deceased person.” 740 ILCS 180/2

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       (West 2008).

       The Wrongful Death Act does not provide a definition for the statutory phrase “next of

kin,” but our supreme court has held that the phrase is defined as the “ ‘definite blood relatives or

a definite class of blood relatives or kinsmen in existence at the time of the death of the deceased

who would take his personal property in case he died intestate.’ ” Morris v. William L. Dawson

Nursing Center, Inc., 187 Ill. 2d 494, 497 (1999) (quoting Wilcox v. Bierd, 330 Ill. 571, 582

(1928), overruled on other grounds, McDaniel v. Bullard, 34 Ill. 2d 487 (1966)). Consequently,

Illinois courts look to the laws of intestacy to determine a decedent’s next of kin within the

meaning of the Wrongful Death Act.

       Here, Rafael was survived by his parents, a brother, and a child. Pursuant to section 2-

1(b) of the Illinois Probate Act of 1975 (Probate Act) (755 ILCS 5/2-1(b) (West 2008)), when a

decedent leaves no surviving spouse but is survived by a descendant, “the entire estate” is

distributed to the decedent’s descendants per stirpes. A posthumous child of a decedent receives

the same share of an estate as if the child had been born in the decedent’s lifetime. 755 ILCS

5/2-3 (West 2008). Moreover, if “after his death a decedent has been adjudged to be the father of

a child born out of wedlock, that person is heir of his father.” 755 ILCS 5/2-2 (West 2008).

Under the laws of intestate succession, Rafael’s child Destiny would share in Rafael’s estate to

the exclusion of his parents. Forthenberry, 156 Ill. App. 3d at 637; Rallo v. Crossroads Clinic,

Inc., 206 Ill. App. 3d 676, 683 (1990). Consequently, Destiny alone is Rafael’s next of kin

within the meaning of the Wrongful Death Act, and she alone is entitled to a share of the

proceeds of the wrongful death suit.

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       The parents argue that the 1955 amendments to section 2 of the Wrongful Death Act

modified the procedure for distribution of the proceeds of a wrongful death suit so that it is no

longer based on the laws of intestacy but rather upon actual dependency of the surviving spouse

and next of kin as determined by the court. Our supreme court, however, has rejected this same

argument, noting that while the legislature “abandoned the laws of intestate succession as the

basis for determining how wrongful death proceeds are distributed among the class of eligible

beneficiaries, it manifestly retained the laws of intestacy as the means for identifying the

members of that class.” Morris, 187 Ill. 2d at 499. See also Dotson v. Sears, Roebuck & Co.,

157 Ill. App. 3d 1036, 1047-48 (1987).

       The circuit court erred when it included Rafael’s parents as beneficiaries of his wrongful

death settlement because, pursuant to the Wrongful Death Act, Destiny was Rafael’s sole

surviving next of kin. Consequently, we reverse the circuit court’s award of $13,713.26 to Baez

and $13,713.26 to Mario Marquez and remand this matter so that those amounts are distributed

to Destiny.

                                  B. Funeral and Burial Expenses

       Petitioner Laureano challenges the award of funeral and burial expenses to Rafael’s

parents, contending there was no legal basis for the circuit court to charge those costs to Rafael’s

child. Baez responds that the circuit court properly reimbursed them with funds from the

wrongful death settlement under the family-expenses provision of the Rights of Married Persons

Act (750 ILCS 65/15 (West 2008)).

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       We find that the Wrongful Death Act and the Rights of Married Persons Act do not

provide a legal basis to reimburse Rafael’s parents for the estate’s funeral and burial expenses.

Moreover, the settlement proceeds in this case cannot be awarded to the estate to reimburse the

parents for the estate’s funeral and burial expenses. Consequently, we reverse the $13,041 award

to Baez and Mario Marquez and remand this matter with instructions to distribute that amount to

Destiny.

       Because Rafael left Destiny as his next of kin, the administrator cannot recover funeral

expenses under the Wrongful Death Act, which gives an administrator a right to sue for such

expenses only when no spouse or next of kin survives. 740 ILCS 180/2(c) (West 2008);

Chidester v. Cagwin, 76 Ill. App. 2d 477, 484 (1966); Eggimann v. Wise, 41 Ill. App. 2d 471,

487 (1963).

       Furthermore, the Rights of Married Persons Act does not authorize the reimbursement of

funeral expenses here. The purpose of the family-expenses provision of the Rights of Married

Persons Act, which makes a husband and wife jointly liable for all family expenses, regardless of

which spouse incurs expenses, is to protect creditors. Proctor Hospital v. Taylor, 279 Ill. App.

3d 624, 627 (1996). Funeral expenses are considered “family expenses” (Fortner v. Norris, 19

Ill. App. 2d 212, 215-16 (1958)), and parents are liable for the funeral expenses incurred by them

on behalf of a minor child (Graul v. Adrian, 49 Ill. App. 2d 101, 105 (1964)). However, once a

child reaches the age of majority, the parents’ responsibility to support the child ceases, and they

may no longer be held liable for the child’s funeral expenses under the Rights of Married Persons

Act. See Proctor Hospital, 279 Ill. App. 3d at 628. Because Rafael was not a minor child, the

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Rights of Married Persons Act does not provide a legal basis to reimburse his parents for his

funeral expenses.

       Illinois recognizes a common-law cause of action that can be brought against a tortfeasor

either by the decedent’s estate or the surviving spouse for funeral bills incurred as a result of the

defendant’s tortious conduct. Saunders v. Schultz, 20 Ill. 2d 301, 309-10 (1960) (permitting a

widow to maintain an independent action for the medical and funeral expenses incurred as a

result of the wrongful death of her husband). Moreover, the record indicates that Baez sought

and received the appointment of special administrator to enable her to prosecute, on behalf of the

estate and in addition to the cause of action for pecuniary losses under the Wrongful Death Act,

causes of action for physical injury, pain and suffering, and medical and other expenses under the

Survival Act and other statutes and laws. The circuit court, however, could not empower Baez in

this case to prosecute other causes of action in addition to the wrongful death claim.

       Instead of filing a petition for letters of administration in the probate court, Baez sought

the appointment of special administrator of Rafael’s estate. The Wrongful Death Act, in regard

to the appointment of a special administrator, reads:

               “In the event that the only asset of the deceased estate is a cause of

               action arising under this Act, and no petition for letters of office

               for his or her estate has been filed, the court *** may appoint a

               special administrator for the deceased party for the purpose of

               prosecuting or defending the action.” (Emphasis added.) 740 ILCS

               180/2.1 (West 2008).

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By the very terms of the statute upon which Baez sought appointment as special administrator,

the circuit court was not authorized to empower her to prosecute other causes of action in

addition to the wrongful death cause of action. Whereas executors and administrators appointed

under the Probate Act are given powers to collect and manages assets, pay claims and make

distributions (Lindsey v. Special Administrator of the Estate of Phillips, 219 Ill. App. 3d 372, 376

(1991)), the powers and duties of a special administrator are strictly limited to those prescribed

by the wrongful death statute (Kubian v. Alexian Brothers Medical Center, 272 Ill. App. 3d 246,

250 (1995)).

       We note that when a person entitled to bring an action dies before the action is

commenced and the cause of action survives, section 13-209 of the Code of Civil Procedure

authorizes the circuit court, where no petition for letters of office for the decedent’s estate has

been filed, to appoint a special representative for the purpose of prosecuting the cause of action.

735 ILCS 5/13-209 (West 2008). Although Baez incorrectly cited section 2-1008 of the Code of

Civil Procedure (735 ILCS 5/2-1008(b)(1) (West 2008)) in her petition for appointment, she

essentially sought and received the section 13-209 special representative appointment that would

have enabled her to prosecute a cause of action for physical injury, pain and suffering, and

medical and other expenses without the issuance of letters of administration. Nevertheless, the

plain terms of section 2.1 of the Wrongful Death Act do not permit, in situations involving the

absence of letters of administration, a special administrator to prosecute a wrongful death claim

with other causes of action. 740 ILCS 180/2.1 (West 2008).

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       Where Baez’s authority to prosecute a cause of action was limited to the wrongful death

claim, there was no legal basis for the circuit court to award Rafael’s parents $13,041 to

reimburse them for the estate’s funeral and burial expenses. Consequently, we reverse that award

and remand with instructions to distribute that amount to Destiny as the sole beneficiary of the

wrongful death claim.

                                          C. Attorney Fees

       Petitioner Laureano challenges the award of attorney fees to special administrator Baez’s

attorney, Etherton. Petitioner contends that Etherton is not entitled to any attorney fees as a

matter of law because Etherton’s services were volunteered where Rafael’s parents had no legal

interest in the wrongful death claim. Petitioner also complains, for the first time on appeal, that

Etherton was not acting on behalf of Rafael’s estate because Baez was not named special

administrator of the estate until after the insurance carrier tendered the policy limits. Further,

petitioner complains, for the first time on appeal, that, instead of filing a complaint for wrongful

death and survival claims, Etherton should have opened a probate case and presented the

settlement there. According to petitioner, a probate judge would have immediately recognized

the implications of Destiny’s imminent birth and status as Rafael’s only legal heir. Finally,

petitioner argues that Etherton is not entitled to fees because it acted contrary to the best interest

of Destiny.

       In response, plaintiff Baez argues that her attorney Etherton was entitled to attorney fees

based on their contract to represent the estate, for which Baez was properly appointed special

administrator, and an equitable right to recover under the common fund doctrine.

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        A trial court’s exercise of discretion in determining reasonable attorney fees is not

reversed absent an abuse of discretion, but we apply de novo review where expenses awarded by

the court are challenged as a matter of law. Guerrant v. Roth, 334 Ill. App. 3d 259, 262-63

(2002). We find that petitioner has failed to preserve for review any arguments concerning the

timing of Baez’s appointment as special administrator and the opening of a probate case.

McLaughlin v. Sternberg Lanterns, Inc., 395 Ill. App. 3d 536, 545 (2009) (arguments not raised

in the trial court are forfeited on appeal). Petitioner also fails to cite any authority to support the

proposition that a proper movant for a special administrator appointment under section 2.1 of the

Wrongful Death Act must obtain that appointment before engaging an attorney to investigate or

possibly settle a potential wrongful death claim. A party forfeits review of an argument

unsupported by citation to authority. Brown v. Tenney, 125 Ill. 2d 348, 362-63 (1988); Universal

Casualty Co. v. Lopez, 376 Ill. App. 3d 459, 465 (2007). Nevertheless, the court has a duty to

protect the interests of minors and is bound to notice substantial irregularities even though

objections were not properly presented on the minor’s behalf. Johnson v. Provena St. Therese

Medical Center, 334 Ill. App. 3d 581, 591 (2002).

        Petitioner’s forfeiture notwithstanding, the validity of Baez’s challenged actions, i.e.,

retaining an attorney to investigate the wrongful death claim and pursue a settlement before the

court appointed Baez as special administrator, is supported by the principles for administrating

estates under the Probate Act. Specifically, if letters of administration are granted to a person

who cared for an estate prior to her appointment as administrator, the grant of the letters validates

all acts executed by that person between the death and the appointment, if those acts would have

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been proper under a regular administration. Ashmore v. Newman, 350 Ill. 64, 81 (1932); Phelps

v. Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Ry. Co., 37 Ill. App. 2d 46, 50 (1962). Here, the complained-of acts by

Baez were consistent with prosecuting the wrongful death claim as a special administrator under

section 2.1 of the Wrongful Death Act and, thus, were validated upon Baez’s September 2008

appointment as the special administrator.

       Next, we address petitioner’s contention that Etherton cannot be paid under the terms of

the contract with special administrator Baez because Etherton’s services were on behalf of clients

who clearly lacked any legal interest in the wrongful death claim. According to petitioner,

Etherton’s services were merely that of a volunteer because Destiny was the sole beneficiary of

the wrongful death settlement. Petitioner’s argument, however, overlooks the fact that, because

Destiny was born out of wedlock and not acknowledged by Rafael as his child during his

lifetime, Destiny had to prove she was Rafael’s child before she could replace Rafael’s parents as

his next of kin and sole beneficiary under the Wrongful Death Act. Because Destiny was born

out of wedlock six months after Rafael’s death and her paternity was challenged, Rafael’s parents

had a legal interest during the prosecution and negotiation of the wrongful death claim as

Rafael’s next of kin and beneficiaries.

       Rafael was adjudged, in accordance with section 2-2 of the Probate Act (755 ILCS 5/2-2

(West 2008)), to be Destiny’s father on August 14, 2009, and petitioner did not challenge Baez’s

appointment as special administrator until after that adjudication. Although a February 2009

DNA test report indicated a 99.9% probability that Baez and Mario Marquez were Destiny’s

biological grandparents, we find no indication in the record that petitioner moved the court to

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adjudicate the paternity sooner. Consequently, Baez was properly appointed special

administrator pursuant to the Wrongful Death Act and acted within her authority to contract with

Etherton for legal services.

       “[W]hen an executor or administrator in good faith retains an attorney and that attorney

has performed services on behalf of the estate, such attorney is entitled to reasonable

compensation regardless of the outcome of the litigation or the fact that the executor is eventually

removed.” In re Estate of Breault, 63 Ill. App. 2d 246, 260 (1965). See also 755 ILCS 5/27-2

(West 2008) (Probate Act provision that the “attorney for a representative is entitled to

reasonable compensation for his services”). When a complaint is settled in favor of the special

administrator and proceeds in excess of $5,000 are distributable to a minor, the court allows

disbursements and fees to the special administrator and her attorney and the balance is

administered and distributed under the supervision of the probate division of the court. 740 ILCS

180/2.1 (West 2008).

       In this case, however, we agree with petitioner’s contention that Etherton is not entitled to

fees because Etherton acted contrary to the best interest of Destiny. An attorney retained by a

special administrator of an estate to prosecute a wrongful death action for the benefit of the next

of kin owes a fiduciary duty to those beneficiaries. DeLuna v. Burciaga, 223 Ill. 2d 49, 78-79

(2006). That fiduciary duty includes a duty to act in good faith to protect the beneficiaries’

interests. Szymakowski v. Szymakowski, 185 Ill. App. 3d 746, 748 (1989). If an attorney acts in

bad faith and against the interest of the beneficiaries of the estate, attorney fees may be denied.

Id. As a general principle, “attorneys may not recover fees after representing adverse,

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conflicting, and antagonistic interests in the litigation.” In re Estate of Kirk, 292 Ill. App. 3d

914, 923 (1997). We review a court’s determination as to whether attorney fees should be

allowed or disallowed for an abuse of discretion. Id. Factors to be considered in determining the

reasonableness of fees include good faith, diligence, time expended, the size of the estate, the

skills and qualifications of counsel, and the novelty and complexity of the issues confronted. Id.

       Here, Etherton acted in the best interest of all the beneficiaries of the estate by negotiating

a settlement for the limit of the insurance policy. At that time, the beneficiaries were only

Rafael’s parents. Etherton also acted in the beneficiaries’ interests by contesting, on behalf of

Rafael’s parents, Destiny’s paternity where she was born out of wedlock and not acknowledged

by Rafael as his child during his lifetime. However, in February 2009, DNA testing indicated

that Destiny was Rafael’s child, and Baez never contested the validity of those test results.

Although Destiny’s paternity was not adjudicated until August 2009, it was inevitable, based on

the test results and according to established law, that Destiny would replace Rafael’s parents as

his next of kin and sole beneficiary under the Wrongful Death Act. Nevertheless, Etherton never

abandoned the argument that Rafael’s parents were entitled to settlement proceeds based on

dependency. Cf. Szymakowski, 185 Ill. App. 3d at 749-50 (there was no breach of fiduciary duty

and the administrator’s attorney was entitled to fees because the parents of the deceased timely

abandoned their claim for wrongful death proceeds where the deceased was survived by

children).

       We find that Etherton breached a fiduciary duty owed to the beneficiary Destiny where

Etherton continued to argue, after the DNA test results and contrary to established law, that the

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determination of eligible beneficiaries for wrongful death proceeds was based on their actual

dependency on the deceased rather than on the laws of intestacy. Specifically, in May 2009,

Etherton filed a brief in support of plaintiff Baez’s petition to distribute the settlement funds,

which argued that the funds should go to Rafael’s parents and brother based on their “actual

dependency” on Rafael during his lifetime. Etherton’s brief argued that Destiny was not entitled

to any funds because her mother, in a previous instance, made an unfounded claim to be pregnant

with Rafael’s child, “continually harassed” Baez and her family, had “a brief encounter at best”

with Rafael rather than an “ongoing committed relationship,” and was never brought to Rafael’s

home and did not know where he lived.

       In June 2009, Etherton filed a reply brief, which asserted that Rafael’s parents and brother

were entitled to settlement funds based on dependency and complained that Destiny failed to

provide any facts to prove her dependance on Rafael. At the hearings held in this matter in July

and August of 2009, Etherton continued to insist that the actual dependency on Rafael by his

parents and brother controlled the distribution of the settlement funds. After the circuit court

erroneously awarded settlement proceeds to Rafael’s parents, Etherton opposed petitioner’s

motions for reconsideration and substitution of the special administrator, and asked the circuit

court to sanction petitioner and her attorney. Morever, Etherton continued to argue on appeal,

contrary to established law, that dependency on the deceased, rather than the laws of intestacy,

determines the members of the class of beneficiaries eligible to receive wrongful death settlement

proceeds. Because Etherton breached a fiduciary duty owed to Destiny, any award of attorney

fees and costs based on Etherton’s contract with the special administrator was an abuse of

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discretion.

       Furthermore, we reject plaintiff Baez’s claim that Etherton is entitled to attorney fees

under the common fund doctrine. This claim is subject to de novo review. Linker v. Allstate

Insurance Co., 342 Ill. App. 3d 764, 770 (2003). The common fund doctrine allows an attorney

“who creates, preserves, or increases the value of a fund in which others have an ownership

interest to be reimbursed from that fund for litigation expenses incurred, including counsel fees.”

Morris B. Chapman & Associates, Ltd. v. Kitzman, 193 Ill. 2d 560, 572-73 (2000). The court’s

power to do equity in a particular situation authorizes the award of fees under this doctrine,

which is based on the policy to avoid the unjust enrichment of someone who obtains the benefit

of a lawsuit without contributing to its costs. Linker, 342 Ill. App. 3d at 770. A claim under the

common fund doctrine must show that (1) the fund was created as the result of legal services

performed by the attorney, (2) the subrogee or claimant did not participate in the creation of the

fund, and (3) the subrogee or claimant benefitted or will benefit from the fund that was created.

Id.

       We find that the common fund doctrine is inapplicable in this case because Destiny’s

attorney participated in the creation of the fund. The record establishes that Richmond

participated in creating the $100,000 settlement offer. Specifically, correspondence from the

insurance carrier and Richmond’s fee petition document Richmond’s contacts with the insurance

carrier prior to the settlement offer, investigation of the traffic collision, and monitoring of

related court proceedings. Consequently, we reverse the circuit court’s award to Etherton of

$22,222 in attorney fees and $762.96 for expenses and remand this matter with instructions to

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distribute those amounts to Destiny.

       In her conclusion, petitioner Laureano asks this court to award attorney fees to her

counsel in the amount established by their attorney-client contract or, in the alternative, remand

this issue for review and approval by the circuit court. Petitioner, however, fails to support this

request with any argument, discussion or citation to authority. Brown, 125 Ill. 2d at 362-63;

Universal Casualty Co., 376 Ill. App. 3d at 465. Despite petitioner’s forfeiture of this issue, we

find that the circuit court’s exercise of discretion in awarding Richmond $8,200 for fees and

$920 for costs was more than adequate to compensate Richmond for representing Destiny before

the circuit court and for this appeal. Specifically, the time expended, size of the estate awarded

to a minor, and complexity of the issues confronted do not justify any further compensation for

Richmond.

                           D. Substitution of the Special Administrator

       Finally, petitioner Laureano challenges the circuit court’s denial of her motion to

substitute the special administrator. Although the need for this relief appears reduced at this

point, further litigation here is possible. As discussed above, Baez was properly appointed

special administrator where Rafael was not adjudged to be Destiny’s father until August 2009.

Upon that adjudication, Destiny became recognized as Rafael’s next of kin and sole beneficiary

under the Wrongful Death Act. Moreover, Destiny’s recognized interest in Rafael’s estate was in

conflict with the interests of Baez and Mario Marquez. Consequently, Baez was no longer

entitled to the appointment of special administrator for Rafael for the purpose of prosecuting the

wrongful death action. See 740 ILCS 180/2.1 (West 2008); Mio v. Alberto-Culver Co., 306 Ill.

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1-10-0090

App. 3d 822, 827 (1999).

       Accordingly, we reverse the circuit court’s denial of petitioner’s motion to substitute the

special administrator and remand this cause to the circuit court with directions to review

petitioner’s motion to appoint Laureano to serve as special administrator.

                                       III. CONCLUSION

       We reverse the circuit court’s award of settlement proceeds to Rafael’s parents; reverse

the award of funeral and burial expenses to Rafael’s parents; reverse the award of attorney fees

and costs to Etherton; and reverse the denial of petitioner Laureano’s motion to substitute the

special administrator. The cause is remanded to the circuit court for further proceedings

consistent with this opinion.

       Reversed and remanded.

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1-10-0090

                    REPORTER OF DECISIONS - ILLINOIS APPELLATE COURT

  JUDITH BAEZ, Individually and as Special Adm inistrator of the Estate of Rafael Marquez, Deceased,

                                          Plaintiff-Appellee,

                                                  v.

                                     GARRETT ROSENBERG,

                                              Defendant

            (Jesenia Laureano, Guardian of the Estate of Destiny Alexia Marquez, a Minor,

                                        Petitioner-Appellant).

                                          No. 1-10-0090

                                       Appellate Court of Illinois
                                    First District, FIRST DIVISION

                                             May 9, 2011

                 JUSTICE LAMPKIN delivered the judgm ent of the court, with opinion.

                     Presiding Justice Hall and Justice Rochford concurred in the
                                        judgm ent and opinion.

                            Appeal from the Circuit Court of Cook County.
                             The Hon. Ronald S. Davis, Judge Presiding.

                            COUNSEL FOR PETITIONER-APPELLANT
                  Michael R. Richm ond and Michael W . Rathsack, Chicago, IL 60602

                             COUNSEL FOR PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE
                      Regina P. Etherton & Associates, LLC, Chicago, IL 60603
                           OF COUNSEL: Regina P. Etherton

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