Court Opinion

ID: 4698056
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-06-23 20:08:00.863937+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:05:50.448337
License: Public Domain

FILED
                                                                                                 02/10/2021
                                                                                                 06/23/2021
                                                                                          Bowen Greenwood
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                                                                                                          MPORNETM
                                                                                                                 AENACOU RT

                                                                                           Case Number: DA 21-0012

                                                                  CEC - I AM II: 27
                                                                        L

     MONTANA EIGHTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT,CASCADE COUNTY

 IN RE THE ESTATE OF:
                                                     Cause No. BDP-20-003
 DOUGLAS C. DOWER,
                                               ORDER ON CROSS MOTIONS
                 Deceased.                     FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT

       The Court held a hearing on October 27,2020,on the Motion by the decedent

Douglas Dower's widow, Linda G. Dower (Linda) to remove the Personal

Representative, Jayne Dower Lux (Jayne), decedent's daughter from the role of

personal representative, and on their cross motions for partial summary judgment.

Jayne and Linda testified. The Court found that the record did not support Linda's

argument that Jayne was violating her statutory duties or otherwise abusing her

authority, and declined to remove Jayne as personal representative.

       The parties agreed that no further hearing on the summary judgment motions

was required.(Docs. 15 and 18).

II

           Estate of Dower — Order on Cross Motions for Surnmary Judgment - 1
                    SUMMARY JUDGMENT STANDARD

      Summary judgment is appropriate only when no genuine issue of material fact

exists, and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter oflaw. Rule 56(c)(3),

Mont. R. Civ. P. The evidence, as well as all justifiable inferences drawn from it,

must be viewed in a light most favorable to the non-moving party. Once the moving

party has met its burden of demonstrating an absence of a genuine issue of material

fact and entitlement to judgment as a matter of law, the non-moving party must

present material and substantial evidence,rather than mere conclusory or speculative

statements, to raise a genuine issue of material fact. Needham v. Kluver, 2019 MT

182, ¶14, 396 Mont. 500,446 P.3d 504 (intemal cites omitted).

                             UNDISPUTED FACTS

      Douglas Dower(Douglas)was married for 52 years to Alyce Dower until she

died in 2008. They had four children, one of whom is Jayne. Douglas married Linda

in 2011. Douglas died in December 2019. During their marriage,Douglas and Linda

adopted a daughter, Destiny. Destiny is still a minor and is living with Dan Dower

(Dan), another ofDouglas's and Alyce's children. While Douglas was still alive, he

and Linda executed a power of attorney (POA) giving Dan authority to act in

Destiny's behalf. The POA is now expired, but Destiny remains in Dan's care,

apparently to avoid a threatened Youth in Need of Care proceeding based on abuse

           Estate of Dower — Order on Cross Motions for Summary Judgment - 2
or neglect in Linda's care. Linda receives $465 per month from the DPI-IHS because

the adoption was subsidized. She began assigning those checks to Dan in February

2020.

        Jayne was named Personal Representative in Douglas's will. She has not yet

filed a notice to creditors.' Douglas and Alyce (Douglas's first wife) executed a

revocable living trust (Dower Family Trust) on February 1, 1997, and transferred

certain property to that trust as part of their estate, to preserve some assets for their

four children. The terms of the Trust provide that one half of the Trust property

became irrevocable when Alyce died, one half remained revocable for Douglas's

benefit during his life, and that it became irrevocable upon his death.

        Linda is entitled to all property not in the Trust, except a fish, a grandfather

clock, and a piano. Jayne has calculated that the total value of Linda's assets at the

time of Douglas's death was $103,898.74. See, Exhibit B to Jayne's brief, Elective

Share Calculation. Linda initially filed a petition for an elective share but then

withdrew it, apparently because the value ofher assets at the time ofDouglas's death

exceeded the calculated amount due after the marriage based on the 8 year marriage

and the statutory elective share minimum of $75,000.

          Because she remains Personal Representative, Jayne is reminded to fulfill this and other statutory duties
without delay.

               Estate of Dower — Order on Cross Motions for Summary Judgment - 3
      Linda's total assets, with statutory allowances and exempt property, will

exceed $148,000, close to half of the value of Douglas's assets as set forth in the

Updated Inventory and Appraisement dated August 17. 2020.(Doc. 20).

      After Douglas died, Jayne erroneously demanded that Linda pay funeral

expenses from joint accounts she held with Douglas. Jayne has made mortgage

payments for Linda on a condominium where she now resides. Jayne also

erroneously deposited money into that joint account shortly after Douglas died. To

date, the Estate has disbursed personal property it values at $24,030 to Linda. It has

paid $11,800.14 in mortgage payments and rental value received to Linda. In sum,

to date, the Estate has disbursed $35,844.14 to Linda. Linda contends that the Estate

has "taken every step possible to deprive her of property and funds to which she is

entitled." As a result, she argues, she will become a "ward ofthe state."

      Linda claims a family allowance of $27,000, with 75% ofthat amount to her,

and 25% ofthat amount to Dan. Dan and Destiny lived in the condo in which Linda

now resides for about six months after Douglas died. The parties agree that Linda

is entitled to a full statutory homestead allowance and a full exempt property share.

They also agree that as a surviving spouse, Linda is entitled to a partial statutory

family allowance, with the other part of the family allowance paid to Dan, as

caretaker ofDestiny. The Estate contends that the family allowance to Linda should

be offset by $7,741.94, representing "rent," because she lived in the marital home

           Estate of Dower — Order on Cross Motions for Summary Judgment - 4
(owned by the Trust) before moving to the condo. Linda points out that she paid

expenses and maintenance costs until she moved to the condo, and thereby reduced

the Trust's costs. In consideration of the public policy of providing for spouses of

decedents, as well as the complicated and unusual relationships here, together with

Linda's evident cognitive problems, the Court concludes that the offset proposed is

harsh and inappropriate

       Linda testified that she has a 6th grade education and learning disabilities,

which were apparent during the hearing. Linda receives $1,146 monthly in Social

Security benefits and has a mortgage payment of $726.06 and another $170 in

association fees for the condo in which she resides. Although she asserts that she

has been paid nothing by the Estate to date, she did not dispute that the Estate has

provided her with mortgage payments and personal property totaling about $35,000

so far. There are some firearms to which Linda is entitled originally valued at $7,250

at the hearing, now valued at $3575 [Doc. 42], the Court encouraged the parties to

confer and Jayne to disburse them while the Court is working on this Order.

      The Estate contends that its assets are insufficient, and that, therefore, the

devises to Linda under the will must be abated to pay her statutory allowances

(homestead and family allowance). Linda contends that amounts in the Trust should

be used to pay her statutory allowances, based on her argument that the Trust is part

of the Estate, citing, §72-1-103(15), MCA, which defines "estate to include, "the

           Estate of Dower — Order on Cross Motions for Summary Judgment - 5
property of the decedent, trust„ or other person whose affairs are subject to chapter

1 through 5..." She fiwther relies on Restatement(Second)ofProperty which states

that an inter vivos transfer,"that is revocable by the donor at the time ofthe donor's

death, is subject to spousal rights of the donor's spouse in the transferred property

that would accrue to the donor's spouse on the donor's death ifthe transfer had been

made by the donor's will." Restatement(Second) ofProperty §34.1(3).

      Section 72-3-901(1), MCA,provides that shares of an estate must be reduced

or be abated, in a specific order. Linda contends that abatement only applies if the

Estate lacks sufficient fimds to pay all claims, and that here, if the Estate is

interpreted to include the Trust, there is sufficient property not disposed of by the

will to pay all claims, so there is no need to abate or reduce Linda's share.

      The Estate argues that only the non-Trust assets are subject to estate and

spousal claims, and that the specific devises to Linda must be abated to pay her

statutory allowances.    The Estate argues that the Court should approve summary

administration so that property and funds can be disbursed. It appears that

relationships between and among Douglas's children and Linda became strained

before the Estate and Linda hired lawyers, so some of the wrongs Linda complains

of have now been resolved. The Court will not address them here.

///

           Estate of Dower — Order on Cross Motions for Summary Judgment - 6
                                    ANALYSIS

      Section 72-2-412, MCA, provides that the surviving spouse is entitled to a

homestead allowance of$22,500. The homestead allowance is exempt from, and

has priority over, all other claims. This allowance is in addition to any share passing

by will. "The sole statutory condition for receipt ofthe homestead allowance by the

surviving spouse is that she survive the decedent by 120 hours." In re Estate of

Martelle, 2001 MT 194, ¶22, 306 Mont. 253,32 P. 3d 758.(citations omitted). The

homestead allowance may also be claimed from assets other than land. Id., ¶25. It

is not chargeable to any share passing by the will to the spouse.

      Similarly, the exempt property allowance set out in §72-2-413, MCA,

provides for the surviving spouse to receive a value of up to $15,000 over any

security interests, in household furniture, automobiles, furnishings, appliances, and

personal effects. The homestead allowance has priority over all claims against the

estate. §72-2-801(2), MCA. Likewise, the family and exempt property allowances

have priority. §§72-1-107, 72-2-412, 72-2-802, 803, MCA.

      Linda asks for a family allowance of$20,250 to her(with the remainder paid

to Destiny's caregiver, Dan) for a total family allowance of $27,000. The family

allowance set out in §72-2-414, MCA,provides for the surviving spouse and minor

children to receive a reasonable amount in maintenance for up to one year if the

           Estate of Dower — Order on Cross Motions for Summary Judgment - 7
estate is inadequate to discharge allowed sums. It is unclear to the Court how Linda

arrived at this number.

      The allowance may be paid partially to the spouse, and partially paid for the

care of a child. It, like the homestead allowance, is not chargeable to any share

passing by the will to the spouse. Family allowances are statutory enactments of

public policy to ensure that the family of a decedent is not left destitute and

dependent on public charity. Estate of Lawson, 222 Mont. 276, 721 P. 2d 762

(1980). Such allowances grant a vested interest in property apart from, and in

addition to, rights flowing from the Estate itself. Id. at 762. The Court is to liberally

construe the right to effectuate the public policy behind the statute.

      In total, Linda is claiming statutory allowances totaling $57,750 for her and

Destiny(25% ofLinda's claimed family allowance of$27,000 would go to Destiny).

Douglas's probate assets total approximately $64,160.00. Costs of administration

as of August, 2020, were $12,217.50. There is a deficiency of approximately

$5,807.50 between the statutory allowances and the costs of administration and the

total probate assets. The issue is whether that deficiency should be made up by

abating the devises Linda received under the will, or by using assets in the Trust.

The Court has concluded that the deficiency here should be made up by abating the

devises to Linda under the will. See, Estate ofLawson,222 Mont. 276, 279,721 P.

            Estate of Dower — Order on Cross Motions for Summary Judgment - 8
2d 760 (1986). This would, in effect, consider the months Linda remained in the

house to have been rent free.

      Montana law provides that the homestead allowance is exempt from and has

priority over all claims against the estate, with similar priority granted under the

family allowance and exempt property provisions in order to provide dependents of

a decedent with the means to provide for the basic necessities of life. Estate of

Wilhelm, 233 Mont. 255, 263, 760 P. 2d 718 (Mont. 1998). Section 72-2-415(1),

MCA, provides that, if the estate is otherwise sufficient, property specifically

devised may not be used to satisfy rights to the homestead allowance or exempt

property.    Conversely, if the estate is not sufficient to pay these amounts, other

property, if available, may be used to satisfy these rights.

      When probate assets are insufficient to pay all expenses and disbursements

the abatement statute applies. §72-3-901, MCA;Estate ofBarber, 239 Mont. 129,

138, 779 P.2d 477 (Mont. 1989). The abatement follows the following order: (a)

property not disposed of by will; (b) residuary devise; (c) general devises; (d)

specific devises. §72-3-901, MCA. Section 72-3-901, MCA,is part ofthe Uniform

Probate Code (UPC)(Title 72, Chapters 1-5, MCA). The UPC is to be liberally

construed and applied to, among others, discover and make effective the intent of a

decedent in distribution of the decedent's property. §72-1-101(2)(b)(ii), MCA.

            Estate of Dower — Order on Cross Motions for Summary Judgment - 9
      Section 72-6-112(2), MCA, which is not part of the UPC, provides that,

"Except at otherwise provided by statute, a transferee of a nonprobate transfer is

subject to liability to any probate estate of the decedent for allowed claims against

decedent's probate estate and statutory allowances to the decedent's spouse and

children to the extent the estate is insufficient to satisfy those claims and

allowances." (emphasis added).

      Douglas's probate estate is composed entirely of tangible personal property

which was specifically devised to Linda. There are no other probate assets. It was

clearly Douglas's intent that Linda receive this property. In addition to this

specifically devised property, Linda is entitled to a homestead allowance, family

allowance, and exempt property. The allowances and exemptions take priority over

the specific devises. Because the estate is insufficient to pay the allowances,

exemptions, and specific devises, Linda's specific devises must abate and be used to

satisfy her rights to the homestead allowance, family allowance, and exempt

property in accordance with §72-3-901, MCA.

      The Court finds §72-6-112(2), MCA, does not apply because §72-3-901,

MCA, applies. Because there are specific devises that can abate to satisfy Linda's

homestead allowance,family allowance, and exempt property, §72-6-112(2), MCA,

is not applicable. Section 72-6-112(2), MCA, would only operate if there was no

other property or devises to abate to satisfy the allowances and exemptions.

           Estate of Dower — Order on Cross Motions for Summary Judgment - 10
      Linda asks for a family allowance of $20,250 (with the "remaindee paid to

Destiny's caregiver, Dan) for a total family allowance of $27,000. The Court

concludes that this request is reasonable.

                        SUMMARY ADMINISTRATION

      Jayne has requested summary administration pursuant to §72-3-1104, MCA,

because the value of the probate estate does not exceed statutory allowances and

costs of administration. After considering the above analysis, the Court agrees.

                               ATTORNEYS'FEES

      Both parties have requested their attorney's fees incurred in pursuing their

motions. The Court finds each party shall be responsible for her own attorney's fees.

      IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

      1.     Linda's Motion for Summary Judgment is DENIED.

      2.     The Estate's Motion for Summary Judgment is GRANTED.

      3.     The Estate shall be subject to summary administration pursuant to §72-

             3-1104, MCA.

      4.     Each party shall pay her own attorneys' fees and costs.

DATED this / day of December, 2020.

                                        Elizabeth A. Best
                                        District Court Judge

           Estate of Dower — Order on Cross Motions for Summary Judgment - 11
cc:   Liza L. Dennehy
      Laura E. Walker
                      CERTIFICATE OF MAILING
                  This is to certify that the foregoing was
                  duly served by mail mon counsel of
                  record al-Aheir addl-ix;;;)
                  day of/Je                      , 20
                  TINA         Y., C
                  BY

          Estate of Dower — Order on Cross Motions for Summary Judgment - 12