Court Opinion

ID: 9699167
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-25 20:12:06.589375+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:20:47.072039
License: Public Domain

MILLER, Justice
(concurring in result).
For reasons stated below, I can only concur in the result of the majority opinion.
The primary issue centers around the refusal of the court to award punitive and double damages. This court should not address the issue since it was not properly preserved for appeal or presented to us for the following reasons:
1.
The Order Approving Final Account of June 3,1986 (the order on appeal) makes no reference whatever to double or punitive damages — it merely approves the Final Account, discharges the guardian, and makes the guardian bond the obligation of the estate.
2.
The findings of fact and conclusions of law upon which the Order Approving Final Account was entered makes no reference to punitive or double damages.
3.
The proposed findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order of appellant make no reference to double or punitive damages, although there is a statement of some underlying facts which could arguably support them.
4.
Although reference is made in the majority opinion and in appellant’s brief to the trial court’s memorandum decision of December 13,1985 (the “jump the gun” memo decision), there is no order in the record implementing it, and, of course, no appeal was taken from it.
Lastly, I am offended by Bates’ conduct and apparent cavalier attitude toward his responsibility under the oath he undertook as guardian. However, the showing is insufficient to establish that the trial court was clearly erroneous. Apparently, most of the property has now been returned, with the exception of some Black Hills gold rings, coins, and china. The trial court, in my opinion, should have ordered them returned, but failed to do so in its order. Appellant here has no standing to raise that issue, and, unfortunately, the estate has not appealed.
I am authorized to state that Circuit Judge YOUNG joins in this concurrence in result.