North America Savings Figure Has Probate Powers Revoked

A Nevada judge on Tuesday permanently revoked the probate powers of Janet F. McKinzie, who had been named to administer the estate of Duayne D. Christensen, the late owner of the failed North America Savings & Loan Assn. in Santa Ana.

McKinzie had been named administrator of the estate in Christensen’s will but since has been accused by federal regulators of working with Christensen to defraud the S&L; of up to $40 million.

Douglas County District Court Judge David R. Gamble appointed the county’s public administrator to collect any claims of creditors or lawyers against the estate.

McKinzie, who has been ill and is being treated by a Sacramento psychiatrist, did not object to the judge’s action.

McKinzie, Christensen’s confidante and business manager, is being sued by a number of creditors, including the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corp., which put North America Savings into receivership a week after state regulators had seized it. Christensen died in a car crash Jan. 16, hours before the state took over his S&L.;

In a related matter, attorneys for McKinzie and the FSLIC told a federal district court judge in Los Angeles on Tuesday that they have agreed to appoint a receiver over McKinzie’s assets and Christensen’s estate.