(2021) (“Where questions of law and statutory interpretation are presented, this Court
reviews them de novo[.]”).
With respect to factual findings, we “give due regard to the opportunity of the trial
court to judge the credibility of the witnesses[,]” Md. Rule 8-131(c), reviewing the
evidence to determine whether the court’s factual findings were clearly erroneous, by
asking whether “there is competent or material evidence in the record to support the court’s
conclusion.” Lemley v. Lemley, 109 Md. App. 620, 628 (1996). Finally, on the ultimate
conclusion about what the terms of a guardianship will be, we will not disturb the trial
court’s decision “unless there has been a clear abuse of discretion.” Meddings, 244 Md.
App. at 220. In this context, abuse of discretion may exist when “‘no reasonable person
would take the view adopted by the . . . court,’” “when the court acts ‘without reference to
any guiding rules or principles[,]’” or when “the ruling under consideration is ‘clearly
against the logic and effect of facts and inferences before the court[.]’”
In re
Adoption/Guardianship No. 3598, 347 Md. 295, 312 (1997) (quoting North v. North, 102
Md. App. 1, 13 (1994)).
Appellate Challenges
As William points out, he and Parents “both question the Circuit Court’s navigation
of the [Act], but for different reasons.” Parents contend that the court committed legal
error by “associating” William’s “capacity to vote with the level of capacity needed for
him to request appointment of supporters under the” Act. Moreover, Parents argue the
court erred in failing to rule on their requests to “appoint” them as supported decisionmakers and two others as successor supported decision-makers.
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