Lisa Thomas Fox v. Nancy Cheairs ET AL.

The instant appeal requires us to determine whether the probate court properly granted summary judgment in this caseinvolving the ownership of interpleaded funds. Appellee Nancy Cheairs filed a federal district court copyright infringement lawsuit against Helen Thomas and her son, Appellee Mark Thomas. Helen Thomas died during the lawsuit’s pendency. Cheairs was granted judgment against Mark Thomas, who subsequently filed bankruptcy. Appellee Lisa Fox, as Helen Thomas’s Personal Representative, filed the instant interpleader action in the trial court, seeking guidance as to who would receive Mark Thomas’ expected inheritance from Helen Thomas. Appellant/law firm, who represented Mark Thomas in the federal lawsuit, filed a notice of attorney’s lien as to the interpleaded funds. The bankruptcy court discharged all of Mark Thomas’ debts except for Cheairs’ judgment and extinguished the law firm’s purported lien. The trial court gave full faith and credit to the federal court orders and granted Cheairs’ motion for summary judgment, awarding her the interpleaded funds. Appellant/law firm appeals. Discerning no error, we affirm.