Lenawee County Probate & Juvenile Court approves multiple guardianship accountings; one file partly continued

Lenawee County Probate & Juvenile Court signed orders at a 9 a.m. hearing approving annual accountings submitted in multiple guardianship files and continued review of some later-year accountings in a separate matter.

The judge presiding said, "The accounting does appear to be correct," and signed orders approving the accountings in the matters of David Perry; the case identified as 506-45080 (Maya Camarela); Loretta Bruce (file 50075); and Tori Clark (filing 51482). In the matter of Kathy Colvin (file 512-822) the court approved the second annual accounting but adjourned consideration of the third and fourth annual accountings to allow the guardian ad litem to complete her review, scheduling further proceedings for Feb. 5 at 9 a.m.

Why it matters: annual accountings are a routine supervisory mechanism in guardianship and conservatorship cases that allow the court and interested parties to review how a guardian or conservator has managed a ward's funds and care. Approvals mean the court accepted the filings and found no objections sufficient to block the orders; the continuation in the Colvin matter indicates the court will reserve final determination pending the guardian ad litem's review.

Most of the petitioners and guardians who appeared swore under oath that their filings were accurate and complete and said they had supplied supporting receipts. Michael McFarland, attorney guardian, told the court, "I have, your honor. She has submitted the receipts. I don't see that I signed the waiver, but I should have because I did review those." The judge directed counsel to file or deliver any missing waiver paperwork to the clerk.

Case-by-case details:

- David Perry: Petitioner Tammy Perry appeared, was sworn, and the judge found no objections on the record; the court signed an order approving the accounting.

- Case 506-45080 (Maya Camarela): Deborah Henning appeared; counsel Michael McFarland stated he had reviewed the submitted receipts and acknowledged a waiver was on file. The judge signed the order approving the accounting.

- Kathy Colvin (file 512-822): Amy Shaw appeared and confirmed that receipts and accounts had been prepared. The judge said the second annual accounting had already been reviewed and signed off and approved that accounting at the hearing; the third and fourth annual accountings were continued so the guardian ad litem could complete her review, with the next hearing set for Feb. 5 at 9 a.m.

- Loretta Bruce (file 50075): Michael Corey and Jeffrey Jubaille appeared; the court received no objections and indicated waivers were in the filing. The judge signed orders approving the fifth, sixth and seventh annual accountings.

- Tori Clark (filing 51482): Sherry Beach and standby guardian Nicholas Beach attended; the judge said waivers and guardian-ad-litem review were in the file and signed orders approving the second, third and fourth annual accountings.

Clerk's note and next steps: where the judge signed orders the court clerk offered to provide copies to attendees before they left; the Colvin matter was continued for further review by the guardian ad litem and rescheduled as noted above.

(Reporting based on the courtroom record and sworn statements at the hearing.)