Conservatorship and Estate of Bower CA4/3

INTRODUCTION

During David Bower’s protracted illness, Andrea Bower, his former conservator, frequently clashed with David’s wife, Lynn Bower. The result was a long, drawn-out battle which took place in the family court and in the probate court, as well as 1 briefly in this court. The two judgments from which Andrea now appeals concern (1) her amended fourth and fifth (and final) accountings and (2) her third amended and restated accounting. Together the three accountings covered the period between November 30, 2014, and March 23, 2018, when Andrea was removed as David’s conservator. Due to circumstances explained below, the third accounting was tried twice. As a result, the judgment on the fourth and fifth accountings was entered and appealed before the judgment on the third accounting. We are issuing one opinion for both appeals, as many facts and several issues are common to both. The probate court took a decidedly dim view of Andrea’s stewardship. It denied many of her requests for fees and reimbursement and slashed others. Andrea’s two appeals, however, are restricted to four main issues: payment of and reimbursement for legal fees; rulings regarding her fees and expenses as…