Arms v. Arms
Arms v. Arms
Opinion of the Court
The appeal presents the sole question whether the evidence was sufficient to justify a finding that appellant, Walter F. Arms, Sr., was incompetent and incapable of taking care of himself and managing his property, by reason of which finding the court appointed Jefferson G. Wingert guardian of his person and estate.
A hearing was had upon the petition of a son of appellant, and the latter’s answer thereto. The following facts appear from the petition: that the only property of appellant was a $2,500 interest in improved real estate and a $1,000 interest in a note secured by deed of trust, and that the annual income amounted to about $200. The real property is a six-room house in which appellant lives with his wife, two daughters, a granddaughter, Walter Arms, Jr., a son, and Avis Arms. On the day set for the hearing the petitioner and appellant appeared with their attorneys. An informal hearing was held, during which the attorneys stated to the
It is apparent from the record that the attorney who then represented appellant considered the appointment of a guardian to be in the interests of appellant, for after stating that he had no authority to stipulate to the appointment of a guardian he stated further, “But we are willing to stipulate as far as the law will permit us anyway.” After the order was made, appellant changed attorneys and we are presented with an appeal.
No doubt the appearance and manner of appellant as a witness went a good way toward persuading the trial judge that the appointment of a guardian was advisable, and we do not underestimate the importance of that fact, but we do not feel we should go so far as to hold in this case that the observations of the judge, taken with the meager testimony, constituted evidence warranting the appointment of a guardian. Appellant was not shown to be unable to take care of himself and his property and likely to be deceived or imposed upon. The evidence showed at most that he is a somewhat querulous and reminiscent old gentleman. For the court’s own protection against the possible charge that appellant was not accorded a fair hearing, as well as in the
The order is reversed, without costs on appeal.
Desmond, P. J., and Wood (Parker), J., concurred.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.