In Re Estate of Bedford

This is an appeal from an order appointing Lucie M. Lambourn guardian of the person of Lucille Richmond Bedford. There is also an appeal from an order denying a motion for a new trial of the issues.

The minor is the daughter of Bedford and his wife, Eileen Mitchell Bedford, now deceased. Lucie M. Lambourn is the aunt of the minor. She was a sister of the mother. Bedford filed a petition asking that he be appointed guardian of the person and estate of the child. Mrs. Lambourn filed a counter petition asking that she be appointed such guardian, alleging that Bedford, the father, was not fit, proper or competent to receive such appointment. She also filed an opposition or answer to the petition of Bedford, again setting up his unfitness for the trust. Bedford filed an answer or opposition to her petition, alleging that she should not be appointed guardian for the reason that she had property interests adverse to those of the minor, and that because of this interest she was not a proper person to be appointed such guardian. The court denied both petitions, so far as the guardianship of the estate of the minor is concerned, and appointed the Los Angeles Trust Company as such guardian. There is no appeal from this part of the order. The only matter in controversy here is the guardianship of the person. The order denies the petition of Bedford and appoints Lucie M. Lambourn guardian of the person of the minor. These parts of the order are presented for review.

Upon the main question no question of law arises. The determination from the evidence concerning the character of a father and other facts bearing on the condition and welfare *Page 147 of the child, whether or not he should have the guardianship of the person of his child, is a question largely in the discretion of the court below. The minor is a little girl of tender years, born on April 6, 1904. The father is unmarried at the present time. It is not necessary to repeat here the evidence concerning his character and fitness. Suffice it to say that it is sufficient to support the conclusion of the court below that he was not a suitable or fit person to have the guardianship of the person of a female child of that age. The court made findings covering the issues and therein states the facts with perhaps unnecessary detail. We need not discuss the sufficiency of the evidence to prove all of these details. There are clearly enough circumstances sustained by the evidence to justify the general conclusion as to the ultimate fact.

Inasmuch as the guardianship of the estate was awarded to the Los Angeles Trust Company and both parties acquiesce in that appointment, the contention that Lucie M. Lambourn is interested in certain property adversely to the interest of the ward, is not material or at all events not decisive. Doubtless the court below intended to remove any objection of this character by the appointment of a disinterested person, the trust company, as the guardian of the estate. Whatever property interest the child may have that is opposed by the respondent will, it is to be presumed, be properly and effectively protected and preserved by the guardian of the estate whose duty it is and will be to defend and protect her property rights. The hostility in interest is not of a character that would require this court to reverse the decision of the court below with respect to the control of the person of the child. There is nothing to indicate that the interest of the aunt would prevent her from giving the child proper care, nurture, and attention, or to show that she has not kind and friendly feelings for the child.