in Re Guardianship of David P Vanpoppelen

STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS
In re GUARDIANSHIP OF DAVID P.
VANPOPPELEN.
DENNIS J. VANPOPPELEN, UNPUBLISHED
December 4, 2018
Petitioner-Appellee,
v No. 340224
Macomb Probate Court
IVY S. VANPOPPELEN and WYATT R. LC No. 2017-223825-GA
VANPOPPELEN,
Appellants,
and
MARTIN J. BROSNAN, Guardian for DAVID P.
VANPOPPELEN,
Appellee.
In re CONSERVATORSHIP OF DAVID P.
VANPOPPELEN.
VINCENT W. VANPOPPELEN,
Petitioner-Appellee,
v No. 340226
Macomb Probate Court
IVY S. VANPOPPELEN and WYATT R. LC No. 2017-223826-CA
VANPOPPELEN,
Appellants,
and
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MARTIN J. BROSNAN, Conservator for DAVID
P. VANPOPPELEN,
Appellee.
Before: MURRAY, C.J., and METER and GLEICHER, JJ.
MURRAY, C.J., (concurring in part, dissenting in part).
In these consolidated cases, and after conducting an evidentiary hearing, the trial court
ruled that appellants Ivy VanPoppelen and Wyatt VanPoppelen, the children of David
VanPoppelen, were not suitable to serve as guardian and conservator of their father. Because the
trial court articulated sufficient reasons for that decision, I would affirm on that issue. I do,
however, concur in the majority’s decision to affirm the trial court’s findings as to David’s
capacity to execute the March 2017 power of attorney.
In reviewing the probate court’s decision for an abuse of discretion, In re
Conservatorship of Shirley Bittner, 312 Mich. App. 227, 235; 879 NW2d 269 (2015), I would
hold that the trial court’s decision did not fall “outside the range of reasonable and principled
outcomes,” In re Conservatorship of Brody, 321 Mich. App. 332, 336; 909 NW2d 849 (2017)
(quotation marks and citation omitted). Nor were any of the trial court’s findings of fact clearly
erroneous. In re Bittner, 312 Mich. App. at 235-236. Importantly, the purpose of these
deferential standards of review is to ensure that the trial court—the court that is dealing with the
parties at numerous hearings and thus most familiar with the intricacies of the case—is given
substantial leeway in how the case is decided. As we recently stated in In re Redd Guardianship,
321 Mich. App. 398, 412; 909 NW2d 289 (2017), “we ‘will defer to the probate court on matters
of credibility, and will give broad deference to findings made by the probate court because of its
unique vantage point regarding witnesses, their testimony, and other influencing factors not
readily available to the reviewing court.’ ”1
In determining whether Wyatt or Ivy were suitable to appoint to either position, the
probate court had to find by a preponderance of the evidence that either was “suitable” to serve,
or in other words, that either was “qualified and able to provide for [David’s] care, custody and
control.” In re Redd, 321 Mich. App. at 408. And, in order to provide that “care and custody,”
one must be able to, amongst other things, provide for the ward’s “financial, medical, and social
well-being” and “make an accounting to the court or other interested individuals.” Id. at 407,
citing MCL 700.5314.
The trial court determined that both Wyatt and Ivy were not suitable to appoint as
guardian and conservator because of their age and their likely inability to withstand the pressures
of competing family members. The majority concludes that this reasoning was insufficient to
preclude their appointment, and remands for further factual development. I would agree with
1
Quoting In re Erickson Estate, 202 Mich. App. 329, 331; 508 NW2d 181 (1993).
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this resolution if the trial court’s ruling could be viewed as limited to the mere fact of Wyatt and
Ivy’s age, but the record and inferences that the trial court could make from that record, do not
allow such a view. Instead, a review of the record, coupled with application of the appropriate
standards of review, requires that the trial court’s findings and decision be affirmed.
With respect to Ivy and Wyatt, the court found that although they were good persons who
loved their father, they were young and inexperienced, and they could not be relied on to resist
pressure from the competing parties and to act in David’s best interests. This finding is
supported by evidence that Wyatt and Ivy remained subject to June’s influence, that they were
relatively inexperienced in life, and that the parties were acrimonious throughout the
proceedings. These conclusions were properly made from direct evidence, as well as inferences
from the evidence that the probate court was permitted to make, and with which we cannot
properly interfere.2
Specifically, Wyatt testified that June continued to pay for his cell phone and automobile
insurance after he graduated from college, and that she assumed responsibility for $94,000 in
student loans that he had incurred. Additionally, Wyatt’s income was not sufficient to ensure his
independence, and he had not yet held any position of significant responsibility. Ivy was a
college sophomore who was not living independently. Neither presented any evidence that they
were experienced with money management, particularly significant assets like those held by
David. Nor was there any evidence that either had performed any matters for David in a
representative capacity, formal or otherwise. This evidence (or the lack thereof)3 permitted the
probate court to rule as it did after considering all the testimony presented during the hearing. It
was certainly not the only conclusion that could have been made—a point the majority aptly
makes—but the evidence and inferences from that evidence supported the trial court’s finding
that Wyatt and Ivy, despite their good intentions, were not ready to protect David’s best interests
if June interfered.
In a somewhat different context, our Court previously utilized a similar rationale. In In
re Brody, the petitioner (Robert) argued that he should have been appointed conservator over his
wife’s estate, rather than a third party. The trial court had ruled that Robert was unqualified to be
appointed conservator in part because he had to rely on others to help him with his own financial
decisions and was subject to control from family members. In re Brody, 321 Mich. App. at 342.
Our Court affirmed, holding:
Witnesses also testified that Jay exhibited controlling behavior over Robert.
Given these facts regarding the relationship between Jay and Robert, it was not
unreasonable for the probate court to infer that Jay would attempt to influence
Robert’s decision-making with respect to Rhea’s estate in the future. The probate
2
Additionally, the probate court only had to state “[b]rief, definite, and pertinent findings.”
MCR 2.517(A)(2). See also MCR 5.001(A).
3
It was petitioners’ burden to prove that they were suitable. In re Redd, 321 Mich. App. at 411.
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court did not abuse its discretion when it selected Lyneis, an independent
fiduciary, over Robert as conservator. [Id.]
Thus, the “age factor,” for lack of a better term, is not simply the age of the person, but is a
recognition that some people at either a younger age (Ivy and Wyatt) or older age (Robert in In
re Brody) are not experienced enough or strong enough to make significant decisions or stand up
to family pressures. Since the probate court’s conclusion was precisely that when it came to Ivy
and Wyatt’s suitability, and the evidence supported that decision under the “broad deference”
required to be given to the court’s findings, id., I would affirm.
/s/ Christopher M. Murray
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