Conservatorship of Smith CA5
In this conservatorship case in which the Fresno County Public Guardian (the Public Guardian or conservator) was appointed as conservator of the person and estate of Benjamin H. Smith (Benjamin or conservatee), appellant Michael H. Smith, Jr. (Butch), appeals from an order directing payment from the conservatorship estate of approximately $18,000 in attorney fees to respondent Catherine A. Amador of the law firm of Pascuzzi, Pascuzzi & Stoker. Amador did not represent the Public Guardian in the proceedings below, but was attorney of record for Michael H. Smith, Sr., (Michael) and Jenna R. Smith (Jenna). Nevertheless, the trial court granted Amador’s petition for a fee award under Probate Code section 2642 to compensate her to the extent that she performed legal services of assistance to, or in cooperation with, the Public Guardian in its role as Benjamin’s conservator.
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