Bad Faith and Need to Contest
a Trust in California
What is Bad Faith in Managing a Trust
There are various reasons to contest a California trust, including what may be called “bad faith.” Now bad faith is a term that describes dishonest dealing, intentional fraudulent acts, misleading others as well as entering into an agreement without the intention or means to fulfill it.
Contesting a Trust based on Bad Faith
If you are up against a trustee who you feel who has breached their fiduciary duty, then read on. It’s crucial to have all your facts straight and documents in order. You see, the trustee will use the estate’s funds to litigate any contest that comes their way. If they lose, they can be held responsible for paying back any losses the estate may have received. With that said, an expert counsel is crucial to ensure you are on the right side of the courts.
What is Your Current Option in a Possible Trust Dispute
If you are a beneficiary of a trust, receive expert counsel right away. Currently, Hess-Verdon offers a 2nd opinion case review. No need to waste time and keep your peace of mind knowing you are doing your due diligence. Your options stem from legal Counsel. State your case to an experienced Hess-Verdon Trust attorney and receive the Counsel you need.
What Are Some Reasons to Contest a Trust
It seems there are many reasons to sue a trustee.
Here is a list below:
- Inaction: Stated, not following up and leaving things undone.
- Lack of Cooperation: Trustee vs. Co-trustee disputes and impairing the administration of the trust.
- Theft is stealing from a Trust: This can come in many forms, i.e., selling estate property is way below market value to themselves or a friend.
- Excessive expenditures: Not managing the trust, misappropriation of trust assets.
- Undue Influence: What is undue influence? A grantor/settlor/trustor lives with the trustee before passing, for example. During the time in which the trustor lived with the trustee, there was an amendment to the trust. Was the grantor in the right frame of mind to carry out the signing of the documents? Expert Counsel will help you determine this through the deposition process.
Even explicitly threatening you, the beneficiary through a no-contest clause or any means can justify an overview of the trust and estate administration process and the trustee’s removal.
Do I have Strong Grounds to Prove Bad Faith in the Trust Administration process?
In practice, the courts give considerable deference to the trustee’s written appointment, and courts are reluctant to remove the trustee. Is it possible? Yes, 100%, but you need have substantial grounds in which you stand based on the California probate code. The bottom line is the courts want to remove a bad-actor trustee.
Probate code 15642 states the following, and with Counsel can solidify your bad faith concern.
Article 3 resignation and removal of Trustees are as follows:
15642.
(a) A trustee may be removed per the trust instrument, by the court on its own motion, or the petition of a settlor, co-trustee, or beneficiary under Section 17200.
(b) The grounds for removal of a trustee by the court include the following:
(1) Where the trustee has committed a breach of trust.
(2) Where the trustee is insolvent or otherwise unfit to administer the trust.
(3) Where hostility or lack of cooperation among co-trustees impairs the administration of the trust.
(4) Where the trustee fails or declines to act.
(5) Where the trustee’s compensation is excessive under the circumstances.
There is more, but cutting to the chase is a prudent thing to do!
ABOUT HESS-VERDON TRUST LITIGATION ATTORNEY SERVING ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA FAMILIES
Hess-Verdon & Associates is one of the most knowledgeable and most sophisticated trusts and estate law firm in the state of California at both the trial and appellate levels.
Our legal team of Trust Attorneys in Orange County is well-versed in estate planning, trust administration, and trust litigation.
Our viewpoint is the following: Aggressive legal representation with a team of experts that protect you, our preferred client, with current tax and estate planning strategies.
Our litigation team has spent years acquiring extensive experience in trial preparation, strategy, and trial presentation to help you with your specific case.
We welcome the opportunity to discuss your needs, qualifications, staffing approaches, and rate structures to resolve the estate and trust-related matters successfully. Our knowledgeable and aggressive actions are necessary to ensure the trustor/grantor maintains their wishes on the administration of the trust.
Trust & Probate Litigation Lawyers
Are you looking for a trust litigation lawyer in the Orange County area? When it comes to the practice of Trust and estates, it can be difficult finding an attorney that’s experienced in handling your specific issues.
Trustee Topics
- Can a Trustee sue on behalf of the trust
- Can a Trustee be held personally liable
- Can a Trustee remove a Beneficiary from a trust
- Settling a Trust After Death
- Being a Trustee of a Trust
Beneficiary Topics
Testate vs Intestate Estate. What to Know!
Testate vs. Intestate A testate estate occurs when a deceased person leaves a will dictating property distribution. An intestate estate happens when there's no will, leading to property distribution by the probate court according to statutory priorities.The terms...
“I have been working with this firm since 1994; you can’t beat a firm like this, that is so ethical and competent.”