Estate of Coltri CA3

BACKGROUND

1991-1996: Dario Appointed Administrator and Filed Inventories Valerio L. Coltri died intestate on December 21, 1991, and his son Dario was appointed administrator of the estate in 1992, with full authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act (IAEA) (Prob. Code, § 10400 et seq.).3 In 1993 and 1994, Dario filed three inventories of the estate’s property. The first showed $1,403.91 in a checking account and three vehicles-- a 1986 Dodge Ram Charger, a 1985 Dodge utility truck, and a 1972 Chevrolet pickup, valued at $4,800, $4,000, and $250, respectively--and $400 worth of personal effects. The second inventory listed five parcels in Nevada County, totaling 200 acres, appraised at $40,000 each for a total of $200,000. The third listed 566 acres in Trinity County appraised at $356,000, and a Timber Purchase Agreement appraised at $73,124.40. The appraisals, except for the checking account, were done by a probate referee. In 1995, Dario’s attorney, Thomas Craven of Diepenbrock, Wulff, Plant & Hannegan LLP, petitioned for statutory and extraordinary attorney fees. Craven stated that only the final details of the administrator’s final…