Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Administrative Closure Hearings topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission holds several probate estates open after heirs object; proceeds with other administrative closures
Summary
After multiple heirs urged keeping files open and reporting accounting or security problems, the Monongalia County Commission instructed the clerk to proceed with most administrative estate closures but excepted four estates for further fiduciary action; the motion passed with one recusal.
The Monongalia County Commission on March 25 heard several heirs who asked that their relatives’ probate estates remain open rather than be administratively closed, and the commission acted to proceed with most administrative closures while exempting four estates for further work with fiduciary staff.
Following public testimony from heirs and estate administrators about incomplete accounting, trustee turnover and property-security problems, Commissioner (S5) moved that the county clerk’s office proceed with the administrative closure list as presented with exceptions for the estates of Debra K. McCardell, Edith Virginia Ruth Parente, William Tennant and Tina Marie Winfield. Chair (S1) seconded; one commissioner recused from the vote. The motion carried.
What heirs said: Fred Parene (S4) and Patricia J. Parente Hughes (S7) asked the commission to keep the Parente estate open until accounting issues are corrected so all heirs can see an accurate final accounting. Wendy Thomas (S8) said the Sally S. Thomas estate had not been removed from the closure list as previously ordered and asked the county to coordinate with the clerk and fiduciary office to correct administrative errors. Roy Albert Winfield Jr. (S6), administrator for the Tina Maria Winfield estate, described repeated break-ins at estate property, alleged identity-theft activity by an heir and outstanding assets (a coin collection, firearms and a house) that need handling to pay claims or reimburse expenses.
What the county said: fiduciary/administrative staff (S5) acknowledged the local fiduciary office must appoint or confirm a new fiduciary commissioner in some cases and said staff would correspond with the fiduciary office to ensure the Parente matter and the Sally S. Thomas removal error are addressed. Commissioners agreed to hold the four specified estates open while directing staff to work with the fiduciary office to move each matter toward resolution.
Vote and procedure: Commissioner (S5) made the motion; Chair (S1) seconded; Commissioner (S3) recused himself from the vote. The record shows two commissioners voted in favor and the motion carried. The clerk’s office was directed to coordinate with fiduciary staff on next steps and notice to heirs.
Next steps: the clerk’s and fiduciary offices will follow up with heirs who spoke and notify interested parties when new fiduciary commissioners are appointed or additional filings occur. The commission said it will revisit any administrative-closure items if the fiduciary office requires a different order.
The commission’s action preserves due-process options for heirs who requested more time while clearing the administrative list for estates with no outstanding objections recorded on the docket.
