Estate of Black

Nielsen, Hales & Hayden and Leon L. Anderson for Objector and Appellant.

Edward R. Fitzsimmons, Ken Fishbach and Richard Heimann for Claimant and Respondent.

No appearance for Petitioner and Respondent.

OPINION

BROWN (G.A.), P.J.

The objector and appellant, Helen Louise Watson, appeals from an order of the superior court, sitting in probate, approving the compromise of the claim of claimant and respondent, Erik Erlandsson, against the estate of Larry N. Black, deceased.

Erlandsson presented a general, nonpriority creditor's claim for $38,250, which was approved and allowed by the personal representative and approved by the court in the amount of $29,250. The court-approved compromise of this claim provided for the transfer of all of the right, title and interest of the estate, including immediate possession, in the purebred Arabian stallion [*]Exelsjor to Erlandsson in exchange for the release of all of Erlandsson's claims against the estate. Appellant's central thesis is that in view of the poor financial condition of the estate the court acted in excess of its authority and abused its discretion in approving the compromise which resulted in the transfer of the principal…