In re Estate of Dermanouelian, 51 A.3d 327

Estate of Aram Dermanouelian appeals a Superior Court judgment affirming summary reversal of a Probate Court order.
Probate Court struck the appearance of an attorney engaged by Co-Executor Ms. Dermanouelian to represent her in her co-executor capacity.
Estate contends a co-executor cannot unilaterally hire counsel and that such hires impose expense on the estate.
Ms. Dermanouelian argues she has the right to hire independent counsel at her own expense to advise her as co-executor.
Superior Court reversed the Probate Court, ruling a co-executor may independently hire counsel at personal expense; the Estate appeals.

Issue	Plaintiff's Argument	Defendant's Argument	Held
Whether a co-executor may hire independent counsel at personal expense	Dermanouelian: yes, personal right to independent counsel	Estate: no, co-executors must rely on estate-paid counsel or majority action	Yes; co-executor may independently engage counsel at personal expense

Conway v. Parker, 250 N.W.2d 266 (N.D. 1977) (owner may hire his own counsel at his own expense)
Young v. Alexander, 84 Tenn. 108 (1885) (executor liable for own counsel; personal protection and liability)
In re Fraser, 150 N.Y.S. 774 (N.Y. 1914) (multiplicity of attorneys discouraged; separate counsel may be used)
In re Estate of Greenberg, 146 N.E.2d 404 (Ill. App. 1957) (fluid administration vs. individualized representation considerations)
Chancey v. West, 96 So.2d 457 (Ala. 1957) (fiduciary executor should have selection of attorney)