State Dept. of Human Res. v. Est. of Harris

The State Department of Human Resources1 ("DHR") appeals from a judgment awarding, as part of an award of costs, an attorney fee of $1,261 to the guardian ad litem ("GAL") and $1,000 as a "commission to defray overhead and expenses of the conservator," and directing that both of these fees be paid by DHR.

This matter was initiated when Aaron Harris notified DHR that his stepmother, Inez Harris, lived alone, that she suffered from dementia, and that she was in need of adult protective services. A DHR social worker visited Ms. Harris's home, determined that Ms. Harris was in need of 24-hour…