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Trustees Trust Amendments Beneficiaries

McManis Faulkner

May a Trustee use Trust Funds in Beneficiary Disputes?

McManis Faulkner on

In California, trustees have a fiduciary duty to act impartially and in the interest of all beneficiaries. But what happens when a trustee uses trust funds to finance litigation that benefits only certain beneficiaries—or...more

Patton Sullivan Brodehl LLP

One Year Statute Of Limitations On Promises Of Decedent Does Not Apply To Petition To Enforce Trust Amendment

A recent California appellate case clarifies the application of the statute of limitations to trust amendments. In Smith v. Myers (2024) 103 Cal.App.5th 586, a dispute arose between the decedent’s children and his widow...more

Bowditch & Dewey

Fox and Family? Lessons from the Murdoch Family Trust

Bowditch & Dewey on

Irrevocable trusts can be effective for estate planning, but they can also create problems. This blog post will draw lessons from the case of Rupert Murdoch, the billionaire owner of Fox News and News Corporation, who is...more

Patton Sullivan Brodehl LLP

Failure to Pay Attention to Trustee Notice Can Be Fatal

Understanding the significance of trustee notice, as mandated by Probate Code Section 16061.7, is crucial in trust administration.  This notice is required upon the occurrence of certain events, most notably, when a trust...more

Warner Norcross + Judd

Can a Court Change the Beneficiaries of a Trust if Estate Planning Changes Were Intended but not Accomplished Before Death?

A person communicates a desire to make estate planning changes in the future but dies before the changes are made. Can a court modify or reform a trust to give effect to this intent? No. In re Brody Trust, Docket No 362214...more

Downey Brand LLP

He Who Has the Gold Does Not Always Rule–Court Reinforces Trustee’s Duty of Neutrality

Downey Brand LLP on

It has become more common for trustors to select someone who is not a beneficiary of the trust estate, often a close relative, to serve as trustee. While the “crown” of trusteeship imbues that trustee with tempting powers –...more

Downey Brand LLP

Trustees Beware: The Line Between Protected and Wasteful Litigation Is Thinner Than You Think

Downey Brand LLP on

This blog has devoted a lot of real estate to the use of anti-SLAPP motions in California trust and estate litigation. Though the courts’ treatment of such motions is varied and oftentimes unpredictable, Californians can...more

Downey Brand LLP

When Can California Trustees Use Trust Funds to Hire Lawyers?

Downey Brand LLP on

Many family member trustees are uncertain about whether and to what extent they can use trust assets to obtain legal representation. For example, when two parents choose their daughter, upon their incapacity or death, to...more

Holland & Hart LLP

Arbitration Clause Held Not Enforceable as to the Validity of the Trust Amendment

Holland & Hart LLP on

There has been considerable discussion regarding including arbitration clauses in estate planning documents over recent years. Some estate and trust attorneys are actively pushing for the inclusion of such clauses. Recently,...more

McDermott Will & Emery

Amendments to Virtual Representation Statute Take Effect on January 1, 2015

McDermott Will & Emery on

There is increasing interest among trustees and beneficiaries to resolve disputes and modify trust documents without going to court. For many years, the primary mechanism to accomplish that in Illinois has been the Virtual...more

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