Judge gives lawyers time to clarify Anne Smith’s accountings amid concern over Florida property costs

A Lenawee County Probate & Juvenile Court judge on record reviewed the accountings for Anne Smith and ordered the parties to confer and return with more complete financial detail. Michael McFarland, courtroom counsel, said Smith ‘‘lives up here’’ in Michigan but also owns a house in Florida that appears to be ‘‘a considerable drain’’ on conserved assets, and told the court a petition to set aside the conservatorship may be forthcoming.

Peter Winter, guardian ad litem standing in for the appointed GAL, said he had ‘‘only got the 16th accounting’’ the night before and flagged omissions in how securities and capital gains were presented. ‘‘If there were shares sold, there’s a gain. If there were no shares sold, then there’s no gain,’’ Winter said, adding that the accounting lacks numbers of shares and clear presentation of income and gains. The GAL also questioned why multiple vehicles remain on the statement of assets.

Fiduciary Amanda Howell told the court she has overseen the accounts and said staff had directed her not to update annual tax assessments; ‘‘I was following the staff’s instruction ... to stop reporting updated annual tax assessments,’’ Howell said. The presiding judge urged the fiduciary to work with counsel and allowed time for attorneys to resolve the formatting and documentation issues before returning.

The court set the matter for further review on Wednesday, Aug. 26, at 9:30 a.m., and asked counsel to provide the 14th and 15th accountings and any additional supporting schedules beforehand. The judge said the adjournment would allow counsel to clarify whether keeping the Florida property is financially prudent for Smith’s estate.