Indiana court backs daughter as sole representative of father's estate after family dispute

An Indiana appeals court has upheld the removal of Rebecca Johnson as co-personal representative of Shane Fields' estate, leaving his daughter Hailey Daniels in charge. In its November 12 ruling, the court found that Johnson's refusal to follow court directions and cooperate with Daniels had affected the administration of the estate.According to the details of the case given in the judgement, Fields died in a road accident in Kentucky on January 31, 2025, while working for R&S Excavating. He was survived by his wife, Breanna, whom he married in 2023, and five children.

His three adult daughters were Hailey Daniels, Paige Fields and Ryann Fields. His sons were Landon Patterson and Elijah Barnhart.The estate had few assets. Its main potential value came from a wrongful-death claim linked to the accident.

The person appointed to represent the estate would therefore play an important role in pursuing the claim.Johnson, a family friend nominated by Breanna, sought appointment as personal representative in February 2025.