In the Estate of Martha Lutisha Qualls: Debra M. Kirchhof v. Bonnie Williams

LISA WHITE HARDWICK, Judge.

Debra Kirchhof appeals from a probate order that reversed her deposit of funds, as attorney-in-fact for the decedent, into a bank account on which Kirchhof herself was listed as a pay-on-death beneficiary. The circuit court found that Kirchhof exceeded her authority as attorney-in-fact by depositing the funds into the account. For reasons explained herein, we affirm.

Factual and Procedural History

On December 6, 2006, Martha Lutisha Qualls (the “decedent”) executed a Last Will and Testament, naming her son, John Qualls, her stepdaughter, Bonnie Williams, and her…