Estate of Olvera
This is a dispute between two sisters, Mary Watkins and Barbara Blanco, over the personal care of their mother, Narcita Olvera, and the management of her funds, which consisted primarily of $54,524 in pension benefits. While providing care for Olvera, Blanco used Olveras funds for her own benefit. Although Blanco sought $744,000 in compensation for providing care and paying Olveras expenses, the trial court ruled against her and ordered her to reimburse the estate. Blanco raises the following claims on appeal: whether the trial court erred in finding that she lacked authority to contract for services as Olveras attorney in fact under her power of attorney; if so, whether Blanco was entitled to compensation for those services; and whether the court failed to balance the equities in determining if Blanco should have received some compensation for her services.
Court conclude that, regardless of whether Blanco had the authority to contract for services as Olveras attorney in fact, substantial evidence in the record supports the trial courts findings that there was no implied contract for services. Based on the facts in this case, equity does not weigh in Blancos favor. Court affirm the judgment.
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