Justice James Pagones
Lapidus served as executrix under decedent's will, and as trustee of a trust. Decedent's daughter, Cregier, and her two children, Robert and Blaise, were the beneficiaries. Lapidus filed a petition to judicially settle her final account as executrix and an intermediate account as trustee. At the time, Blaise was only 17 years old, and Wirth was appointed his guardian ad litem (GAL). Cregier did not object to either accounting, and Wirth did not file objections on Blaise's behalf as his GAL. Wirth informed the court he was later retained by Blaise and Robert to conduct an examination of Lapidus, and to file objections to her accountings. He also filed his affirmation of services as Blaise's GAL contending he spent 34 hours as his GAL, requesting $8,500. The court, however, found Wirth did not render services to the estate or trust, but to Blaise, and his actions did not benefit either entity. It found, the record was bereft of any suggestion his efforts enlarged either one for the benefit of the beneficiaries, therefore, it reduced the time Wirth spent as the GAL in providing legal services to Blaise to 27.10 hours at $200, not $250 per hour finding various services had nothing to do with the subject accountings. It directed the fee to be paid entirely by the estate.