Estate of Chamberlain, Case No. B245025 (2d Dist., Div. 7 Jan. 27, 2014) (Unpublished).
This one was affirmed when a removed trustee was ordered to pay successor trustee’s attorney fees in connection with deposit of shares with the L.A. County Treasurer. This one has a good discussion on the difference between ordinary probate fees under Probate Code section 10810 and extraordinary fees under section 10811, which could even encompass contentious litigation to exchange a receipt for a distribution check—imagine that. No abuse of discretion in getting this case closed up and fees paid.
Conservatorship of Spears, Case No. B242444 (2d Dist., Div. 2 Jan. 28, 2014) (Unpublished).
This one involved the Britney Spears conservatorship, but dealt with arcane issues mainly. So, really in a case with Britney, really? Yep. Basically, a respondent sought fees of $114,552.90 to litigate a contested restraining order of complex nature. (Better be complex, right, for that price tab?) The trial court awarded $92,843, enough to prompt an appeal. No go. The issue really was a legal one (yawn!), but given that the case had gone on to appeal and back, no problem using the longer reconsideration motion filing date rather than the original fee filing date which was not found applicable.