Sign In
Events
Newsletters
Search

Close

Close Search

Cancel

SEARCH
MY LAW.COMNEW

Rowen v. Estate of Jerry Bernard Hughley Jr.

The probate court did not abuse its discretion in rejecting the guardian ad litem's contingency fee agreement, since a probate court has a specific responsibility in matters involving the settlement or compromise of claims by a guardian and the discretion to approve any payment out of the corpus of a minor's estate.

X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

Sharon L. Rowen appeals the order of the probate court determining that $15,000 was a reasonable fee for her legal representation of the three minor children of the late Jerry Bernard Hughley, Jr., in an uncontested petition to determine the heirs of Hughley’s estate. We affirm. Hughley died intestate, and Rowen was hired by Valencia Moore, the children’s mother and natural guardian, to represent her and her children in their claim to Hughley’s estate. Moore and Rowen initially entered into a contingency fee contract entitling Rowen to 40 percent of any recovery obtained during the course of the representation. The agreement specifically provided that this percentage would apply to any annuity or lump sum payments received by the children and any monies bequeathed to them from the estate of Hughley’s mother, Brenda Worthy.

Rowen subsequently filed a “Petition to Determine Heirs” on behalf of the three children, with a separate count seeking approval of the parties’ contingency agreement. The probate court appointed a guardian ad litem for the children in connection with the petition. Gary M. Sams had previously been appointed as the administrator of Hughley’s estate and also served as the guardian of the property for Brenda Worthy, who is incapacitated. Sams filed an answer to the petition in both of these capacities. While the answer conceded that Rowen had provided good and valuable service to Moore and her children, it asked that the probate court examine the contingency fee contract. The answer further stated that the children’s estate: 1 was due to receive $150,000 as the final payment under an annuity stemming from an accident involving Worthy and 2 will be entitled to substantial sums from Worthy’s estate at the time of her death.

Trending Stories

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

LEARN MORE

More From ALM

Premium Subscription
With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Team Accounts
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Bundle Subscriptions
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
Go to CLE Center
GlobeSt. Women of Influence (WOI) 2024
July 22, 2024 - July 24, 2024
Lake Tahoe, CA

GlobeSt. Women of Influence Conference celebrates the women who drive the commercial real estate industry forward.


Learn More
New York Legal Awards 2024
September 05, 2024
New York, NY

The New York Law Journal honors attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession in New York.


Learn More
African Legal Awards 2024
September 06, 2024
Johannesburg

The African Legal Awards recognise exceptional achievement within Africa s legal community during a period of rapid change.


Learn More
Go to Events Go to Webcasts
Client Services/Hospitality Representative - Florida Office

CLIENT SERVICES/Hospitality REPRESENTATIVE-FLORIDA OFFICE Prominent mid-Atlantic law firm with multiple regional office locations seeks a f...


Apply Now ›
Legal Practice Assistant - Florida Office

Prominent mid-Atlantic law firm with multiple regional office locations seeks a legal practice assistant (LPA) for our Boca Raton, FL. Offic...


Apply Now ›
Litigation Associate - Philadelphia, PA

Description: Fox Rothschild has an opening in the Philadelphia, PA office for a litigation associate. The ideal candidate will have two to t...


Apply Now ›
Go to Lawjobs
Lawyers of Distinction
06/27/2024
The American Lawyer

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
SMGQ Law
06/21/2024
Daily Business Review

Full Page Announcement


View Announcement ›
Blume Forte Fried Zerres & Molinari
06/14/2024
New Jersey Law Journal

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
Go to Professional Announcements