{ "id": 5441162, "name": "In re ESTATE OF FLORENCE DONNELLY, a Disabled Adult.-(Margie Lee Tegeler et al., Guardians of the Person and Estate of Florence Donnelly, Petitioners-Appellants, v. Ralph J. Mendelsohn, Guardian ad litem of Florence Donnelly, Respondent-Appellee.)", "name_abbreviation": "Tegeler v. Mendelsohn", "decision_date": "1983-01-12", "docket_number": "No. 81-492", "first_page": "1035", "last_page": "1042", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "111 Ill. App. 3d 1035" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "Ill. App. Ct.", "id": 8837, "name": "Illinois Appellate Court" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 29, "name_long": "Illinois", "name": "Ill." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "109 Mass. 252", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Mass.", "case_ids": [ 2107868 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/mass/109/0252-01" ] }, { "cite": "82 S.E. 738", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "year": 1872, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "116 Va. 687", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Va.", "case_ids": [ 4790375 ], "year": 1872, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/va/116/0687-01" ] }, { "cite": "283 S.W.2d 853", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.2d", "case_ids": [ 1642956 ], "year": 1914, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/225/0574-01" ] }, { "cite": "225 Ark. 661", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1642952 ], "year": 1914, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/225/0661-01" ] }, { "cite": "357 N.E.2d 1180", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "65 Ill. 2d 366", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5434916 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/65/0366-01" ] }, { "cite": "381 N.E.2d 222", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1976, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "72 Ill. 2d 189", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5443195 ], "year": 1976, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/72/0189-01" ] }, { "cite": "375 N.E.2d 569", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "59 Ill. App. 3d 274", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3360250 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/59/0274-01" ] }, { "cite": "413 N.E.2d 70", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1978, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "90 Ill. App. 3d 383", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3160513 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1978, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/90/0383-01" ] }, { "cite": "189 So. 2d 176", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "So. 2d", "case_ids": [ 9830075, 9830103 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/so2d/189/0176-01", "/so2d/189/0176-02" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 853, "char_count": 17387, "ocr_confidence": 0.766, "pagerank": { "raw": 1.7239636553556756e-07, "percentile": 0.70435882555315 }, "sha256": "03d3415898762f5b73a26a6d84e55cc8baa572e0aa487ddc8509ba14d2f87280", "simhash": "1:0edf471d9bcc24af", "word_count": 2864 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T21:36:05.990742+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "In re ESTATE OF FLORENCE DONNELLY, a Disabled Adult.\u2014(Margie Lee Tegeler et al., Guardians of the Person and Estate of Florence Donnelly, Petitioners-Appellants, v. Ralph J. Mendelsohn, Guardian ad litem of Florence Donnelly, Respondent-Appellee.)" ], "opinions": [ { "text": "JUSTICE WELCH\ndelivered the opinion of the court:\nThis appeal presents the question of whether plenary guardians for a disabled adult may be compensated from the estate of the adult for services rendered solely in relation to the emotional needs of the adult. We hold that, subject to guidelines pertaining to representatives\u2019 fees in general, they may be so compensated.\nFlorence Donnelly, the disabled adult, was discovered in June 1980 by appellants Margie Tegeler and June Smith through their work with a meals on wheels program. Ms. Donnelly, who was 73 years old at the time, lived alone in her Collinsville home in squalid conditions. She had a great deal of difficulty in caring for herself and was in a state of physical and mental deterioration.\nThe appellants, in addition to making frequent visits to Ms. Donnelly\u2019s home to assist in improving her personal hygiene and dietary habits, also attempted to locate any surviving relatives. It was determined that Ms. Donnelly\u2019s 85-year-old half-brother lived in Niles, Michigan. The half-brother came to Collinsville with a grandson, and, after visiting with the appellants and Ms. Donnelly, he agreed that the appellants should be appointed as her guardians. A petition to that effect was filed in the circuit court of Madison County in September 1980, and, on September 26, the appellants were appointed guardians of the person and of the estate of Florence Donnelly.\nPursuant to their appointment, the appellants had Ms. Donnelly placed in a nursing home, sold her Collinsville house and otherwise assumed the management of her estate, which is valued at approximately $90,000. They also visited her in the nursing home at least three times a week, brought presents and other items to her, took her on outings and invited her to their homes on holidays and other occasions. On January 23, 1981, the appellants filed an interim report of their activities between August 1, 1980, and December 31, 198\u00d3. That report alleged that the appellants had spent 444 hours in different capacities, performed for the benefit of Ms. Donnelly. The appellants petitioned the probate court to allow them $1,350 each as compensation for their services.\nThe court-appointed guardian ad litem for Ms. Donnelly objected to this request. At hearings on the appellants\u2019 report, he argued that the guardians should be compensated for managing Ms. Donnelly\u2019s estate and for attending to her physical needs, but not for services performed to meet her emotional needs. The court accepted this distinction \u201cafter evaluating the legal relationship between guardian and ward and after giving due consideration to the need for protecting a ward from possible abuses of her funds.\u201d The court allowed the appellants $1,000 compensation apiece, and it is from that order that the present appeal is taken.\nThe parties concede that there is no case law in Illinois purporting to decide whether plenary guardians may be compensated for services rendered solely in relation to the emotional needs of the disabled ward. There is no question that these activities would not be compensable if the appellants were only guardians of the estate of Florence Donnelly, for the duties of the guardian of the estate of a disabled adult do not encompass such activities. (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1981, ch. 1101/2, par. 11a\u201418(a); see also Poling v. City Bank & Trust Co. (Fla. App. 1966), 189 So. 2d 176.) Thus, if the appellants are entitled to compensation for these services, they may be entitled to it only in their capacity as personal guardians.\nSection 27\u20141 of the Probate Act of 1975 (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1981, ch. 1101/2, par. 27\u20141) provides in general terms that \u201c[a] representative is entitled to reasonable compensation for his services.\u201d This provision, which has been applied to fees sought by the conservator of the estate of an incompetent (In re Estate of Rumoro (1980), 90 Ill. App. 3d 383, 413 N.E.2d 70; In re Estate of Weber (1978), 59 Ill. App. 3d 274, 375 N.E.2d 569), is broadly worded so as to indicate that it applies to reimbursement sought by a personal guardian as well.\nThe appellants argue that since no limitation is placed on the term \u201cservices\u201d by section 27 \u2014 1, the trial court\u2019s distinction between services related to the emotional needs of the ward and other activities undertaken on behalf of the ward is unwarranted by the terms of that provision. They further contend that since the personal guardian of a disabled adult is required to \u201cassist the ward in the development of maximum self-reliance and independence\u201d (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1981, ch. 1101/2, par. 11a \u2014 17(a)) and to file reports informing the court of, inter alia, \u201cthe current mental, physical and social condition of the ward\u201d and \u201cthe guardian\u2019s visits with and activities on behalf of the ward\u201d (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1981, ch. 110V2, pars. 11a \u2014 17(b)(1), (4)), it is incongruous to deny the guardian compensation for these mandatory activities.\nWe agree with this position. We find nothing to indicate that the term \u201cservices\u201d in section 27 \u2014 1 was intended to include all services rendered by a representative except those which further the emotional well-being of the ward, and the fact that the personal guardian is entrusted with the physical and mental development of the ward is additional evidence that that section should not be so limited. It would be unfair to require the personal guardian to attend to the adult\u2019s emotional needs while, at the same time, denying him any compensation for his activities in furtherance of those ends. Moreover, many of the tasks performed by the personal guardian serve multiple purposes, and we can foresee great administrative difficulties in attempting to differentiate between noncompensable services \u201cperformed exclusively in relation to the emotional needs of the ward\u201d and other, compensable, services.\nA statute which is unambiguously worded should be enforced according to the plain and ordinary meaning of that language. (Illinois Power Co. v. Mahin (1978), 72 Ill. 2d 189, 381 N.E.2d 222; People ex rel. Gibson v. Cannon (1976), 65 Ill. 2d 366, 357 N.E.2d 1180.) Therefore, we hold that the word \u201cservices\u201d in section 27 \u2014 1 of the Probate Act of 1975 includes all services performed for the benefit of the ward, and does not exclude those services which only further the ward\u2019s emotional development. Courts in other jurisdictions have also allowed personal guardians of incompetent adults to receive compensation for activities which related only to the emotional needs of the ward (Metcalfe v. Nichol (1955), 225 Ark. 661, 283 S.W.2d 853; Lake v. Hope (1914), 116 Va. 687, 82 S.E. 738; May v. May (1872), 109 Mass. 252), and our construction of section 27 \u2014 1 is in conformity with these decisions.\nFinally, the guardian ad litem asserts, and the trial court agreed, that to allow compensation for such services would increase the possible abuses of an incompetent\u2019s estate by encouraging self-dealing and the claiming of excessive fees by the personal guardians. This argument proves too much. The dangers of excessive charges are present in the administration of all types of estates, and byguardians of the person and of the estate. The possibilities of such an abuse do not provide a rationale to allow compensation for managing the estate, or meeting the physical needs of the ward, but to deny any compensation for services to further the ward\u2019s emotional development. It should be remembered that all representatives\u2019 fees are within the strict control of the probate court (In re Estate of Rumoro (1980), 90 Ill. App. 3d 383), and, even if the potential for abuse could be said to furnish a logical justification to draw the distinction made at trial, we must presume that the control of the trial court would effectively eliminate those abuses.\nIn conclusion, we hold that sections 11a \u2014 17 and 27 \u2014 1 of the Probate Act of 1975 must be read together to permit the probate court to consider services performed exclusively for the emotional benefit of the disabled adult in setting compensation for the adult\u2019s personal guardians. Because, in determining appellants\u2019 fees, the trial court expressly declined to consider those services, we must reverse the order granting fees to the appellants and remand this cause to the circuit court of Madison County to redetermine the appropriate fee award. We express no opinion as to a suitable amount for those fees.\nReversed and remanded.\nEARNS, J., concurring.", "type": "majority", "author": "JUSTICE WELCH" }, { "text": "JUSTICE JONES,\ndissenting:\nI would affirm the trial court. The allowance of fees to the guardians for services performed exclusively for the emotional benefit of the ward represents a radical departure from pertaining norms and is wholly unwarranted. The statute relied upon by the majority is anything but express, and it is not amenable for use in this case. Furthermore, the cases from other jurisdictions do not furnish a precedent for the result reached by the majority.\nThe trial court entered an order which reflects that it gave full consideration to the guardians\u2019 claims and rejected them. The order recited in part,\n\u201cThe court finds that services related only to the emotional needs of the ward should not be compensable to the Guardians. The Court reaches this conclusion after evaluating the legal relationship between guardian and ward and after giving due consideration to the need for protecting a ward from possible abuses of her funds.\u201d\nThis language plainly shows the concern of the court that the situation was replete with conflict of interest and that to allow the claim as advanced would open the ward\u2019s estate to abuse. The court also noted that activities and companionship were available to the ward as inherent in the atmosphere of the nursing home where the ward now resides. The court ordered repayment of the cost of gifts to the guardians from the ward in excess of $100 each, provided limitations for future expenditures on behalf of the ward, and denied any future compensation for services and companionship exclusively for the emotional needs of the ward. The court\u2019s order is well reasoned and correctly assesses the intrinsic danger in permitting claims for services exclusively for the emotional needs of a ward. In my opinion, it should be affirmed.\nThis case presents to Illinois a new manner of seeking recompense for the extension of friendship and kindness to aged persons who are suffering from the lack thereof. A multitude of previous cases have dealt with rewards for friendship in the form of deeds, wills, joint accounts in banks and savings and loan institutions, and gifts of personal property. The judicial view of these types of cases reflects an abiding suspicion that the amount and duration of the attention, friendship and services conferred by the actors are directly proportional to the extent and duration of the estate of the befriended one. It is no wonder at all that the statutes denoting the types of services and acts for which guardians may be compensated from the ward\u2019s estate omit any mention of supplying a ward\u2019s emotional needs. As a general rule, fees are allowed to guardians only for such services and actions as produce a result that is cognizable in terms and concepts far more finite than \u201cemotional needs.\u201d Almost any activity, any service, could be said to be to supply an \u201cemotional need\u201d of a ward. This is especially so where a nonprofessional person decides what services are necessary and whether they are beneficial to the recipient.\nIt is the duty of guardians to protect the estates of their wards. If the customary rules and guidelines are altered to permit the payment of fees and compensation for untrained, nonprofessional people to attend to and supply the emotional needs of wards, all wards\u2019 estates would be in jeopardy.\nTo allow fees and expenses to guardians for services performed exclusively for the emotional needs of the ward will open the estates of wards to gross abuse and waste. Spurious claims and spurious assumption of beneficial consequences will be a natural result. No better example could be found than that supplied by this very case. The guardians bought a ring for the ward costing $266. They bought her a $135 chain for her birthday. They purchased a gold watch, a garnet and a diamond ring as \u201cgifts\u201d for the ward at a cost of $672. They purchased \u201cgifts\u201d from the ward to themselves at a cost of $435. All of these \u201cgifts\u201d were at the expense of the estate of the ward, an estate which the guardians in the exercise of their traditional role are bound to protect. Beyond the \u201cgifts,\u201d the guardians seek compensation because they have devoted time to having fun with the ward, helping her to laugh again, go shopping, etc., etc. During these times of fun and laughter presumably the guardians were also enjoying themselves, so arguably the ward\u2019s estate should be granted an offset for the reciprocating fun and laughter enjoyed by the guardians.\nIt may be granted as true that friendship, companionship, visitation, meal-sharing, gift-giving, and so forth, shared with a ward, would naturally work a benefit to that ward, just as such pursuits are known to benefit all people everywhere. The allowance of compensation for such services as are shown in this case would open the estates of wards to situations replete with conflicts of interest. The services rendered the ward exclusively for the emotional benefit of the ward were not in pursuance of the advice of a physician, psychiatrist, psychologist or other trained professional. Professional help was neither sought nor received. Rather, it was the guardians, acting on their own, who determined the need for an extent of their services. They then proceeded to supply the services, assess the net effect of their work and pay themselves therefor.\nNone of this is to say that a guardian would be unable to supply a perceived need of a ward for companionship, association, psychological support, etc., and to seek professional advice and help to obtain it. The furnishing of professional help is within established guidelines and furnishes both support for the ward and protection for the estate.\nThe majority places reliance upon a segment of the statute governing the duties of a personal guardian. The segment is found in section 11a \u2014 17(a) of the Probate Act of 1975 and reads: \u201cThe guardian will assist the ward in the development of maximum self-reliance and independence.\u201d When this sentence is considered in the context of the entirety of section 11a \u2014 17(a), it is apparent that it is an admonition to a personal guardian to seek education and training for his ward to the extent that it may be assimilated to make the life of the ward as fruitful as possible. Happiness, companionship, meal-sharing and the receiving and giving of gifts can be said to bear no relation to the \u201cdevelopment of self-reliance and independence.\u201d Many among us are unhappy, dour loners who are nonetheless self-reliant and independent. But even if it be granted that the segment of section 11a \u2014 17(a) were applicable in this case, its purpose has been thwarted by the guardians. Prior to her encounter with the guardians the ward was living alone and supporting herself from her estate. Although her circumstances were less than desirable, she was, nevertheless both \u201cindependent and self-reliant.\u201d After the encounter with the guardians, the ward lost her independence and self-reliance by becoming a resident of a nursing home, subjecting herself to the care of others with the limitations implicit in her situation. While the ward is undoubtedly better off now, both physically and mentally, the point is made to show the inapplicability of the statutory segment to the ward\u2019s case.\nThe majority relies on a 1914 Virginia case, Lake v. Hope. It is factually inapposite, for it involved a committee (guardian) that was and had been the ward\u2019s physician. Furthermore, the court considered the services rendered to be of a professional nature and the compensation was limited to $100 per month from a sizeable estate. The majority also relies on a 1955 Arkansas case, Metcalfe v. Nichol, to support their decision. The case cannot stand as authority for the majority decision because the ward in that case stood in loco parentis to the guardian and the guardian stood in locofiliae to the ward.\nIf these guardians can recover fees for services related to the emotional needs of their wards, then others may do so as well. If, in reliance upon the majority opinion, it be thought that such services constitute a necessity, then those who furnish to a ward such services as those described in this case can seek recovery from the ward\u2019s estate in a quasi-contract action. Furthermore, guardians can now contract with their friends and relatives to furnish companionship, friendship and society to their wards and compensate them from the ward\u2019s estate for services rendered.", "type": "dissent", "author": "JUSTICE JONES," } ], "attorneys": [ "Stephanie Robbins, of Earl L. Vuagniaux, P.C., of Edwardsville, for appellants.", "Ralph J. Mendelsohn, of Mendelsohn & Simmons, of Alton, for appellee." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "In re ESTATE OF FLORENCE DONNELLY, a Disabled Adult.\u2014(Margie Lee Tegeler et al., Guardians of the Person and Estate of Florence Donnelly, Petitioners-Appellants, v. Ralph J. Mendelsohn, Guardian ad litem of Florence Donnelly, Respondent-Appellee.)\nFifth District\nNo. 81\u2014492\nOpinion filed January 12, 1983.\nJONES, J., dissenting.\nStephanie Robbins, of Earl L. Vuagniaux, P.C., of Edwardsville, for appellants.\nRalph J. Mendelsohn, of Mendelsohn & Simmons, of Alton, for appellee." }, "file_name": "1035-01", "first_page_order": 1057, "last_page_order": 1064 }