Yes, the Court may, in its discretion, approve compensation for ordinary travel time within the Washington, DC, Metropolitan area if the claim is reasonable. Travel time must be detailed separately in the petition for compensation and cannot be included in the service rendered at the destination. The date, time, distance traveled, location, and the purpose of the travel must be stated. Travel time must be in tenths of an hour. Travel time from an office outside the Washington, DC, Metropolitan area may not be compensable.
See In re Brenda J. Wilson and In re Irene Mason, 139 WLR 2753 (DC Superior Court, December 27, 2011); In re Alice Bush, 2008 INT 286, 2-3-12 order; In re Fred T. Darson, 2011 INT 328, 1-12-12 order; In re Robert Washington, 2008 INT 79, 1-12-12 order; In re Ruby McDougald, 2008 INT 63, 1-12-12 order; In re Joyce Bradshaw/In re Yvonne Sewell, 2000 INT 177 & 2011 INT 240, 2-9-12 order
No. If an attorney is retained by a petitioner and the petitioner pays the attorney with petitioner’s own funds, no petition for compensation is necessary.
In re Grealis, In re Irma Sams, In re Mary Nazarczuk, 902 A.2d 821; 2006 DC App. LEXIS 414, 03-PR-963, 03-PR-965, 04-PR-169, DCC.A., 7-13-06 (2002 INT 359, 2002 INT 225, 1999 INT 205)
Shortly after receipt of an order awarding payment of compensation or fees from the Guardianship Fund, you may track the status of the payment by logging onto the DC Court Web Voucher System
If a party thinks that the compensation requested is too high, the hourly rate charged is excessive under the circumstances, or charges are included for services not performed, an Objection (Exception) to Fee Petition may be filed.
There is no form for this pleading for most requests for compensation due to the specific requirements that pertain to the role of the petitioner. However, there is a Petition for Compensation of Visitor or Examiner, and detailed information about what needs to be contained in a petition requesting compensation is in included in Superior Court, Probate DivisionRule 308.
A petition requesting compensation from the Guardianship Fund must be filed to obtain a court order authorizing such compensation.
Petitions for compensation are generally considered by the Court within 60 days of filing.
Call the Auditing Branch Deputy Clerk at (202) 879-9419, and explain the situation. Do not call the Budget and Finance Division.
Yes, if the doctor or social worker is seeking payment from the subject’s assets or the guardianship fund. See Petition for Compensation of Visitor or Examiner.
Yes, pursuant to Superior Court, Probate Division Rule 308(c)(4), a petition for compensation may not be filed with the court unless it has been served at least twenty (20) calendar days prior to the filing of the petition. The petition shall be accompanied by a certificate of service showing compliance with the requirement.