Successor Trustee Accepted Role in Timely Fashion
It’s a problem we see increasingly often. A trust will name a trustee, and even a successor trustee. What’s the problem? The successor trustee is not available, or fails to act, or is otherwise no longer the right choice. How does a new trustee take over? It is sometimes difficult to figure out when the new […]
Things to Consider When You’re Named as Successor Trustee
NOVEMBER 2, 2015 VOLUME 22 NUMBER 40 When a family member dies, you will need to address a number of items. One that might come up: handling the revocable living trust they created. If you are named as successor trustee you will have a number of obligations you need to discharge. You might need help […]
Figuring Out What Court Has Jurisdiction Over a Trust
AUGUST 24, 2015 VOLUME 22 NUMBER 31 One of the best things about establishing a living trust is that you are helping to minimize the likelihood that any court will ever be involved in the administration of your estate. That can save costs, avoid conflicts and give you peace of mind. But sometimes courts do […]
Assets Not Held As Part of Trust Pass to Different Successors
DECEMBER 15, 2014 VOLUME 21 NUMBER 45 From time to time we see appellate court decisions dealing with a common estate planning problem: after creation of a trust, changing title to assets is an essential element of completing the estate plan. Once in a while, as appears to be the case in this week’s court […]
Lawyer Has Responsibility to Monitor Conservatorship Administration
OCTOBER 27, 2014 VOLUME 21 NUMBER 39 Guardianship (of the person) and conservatorship (of the estate) cases pose special problems for lawyers. Usually, a lawyer involved in such a case will have responsibilities to several different persons. To name three obvious choices, the lawyer will have duties to: the guardian or conservator the lawyer represents; […]
Excessive Fee in Special Needs Trust Leads to Lawyer’s Suspension
OCTOBER 17, 2011 VOLUME 18 NUMBER 36 Lawyers are ethically prohibited from charging excessive fees. Period. It doesn’t matter if the lawyer has a fee agreement calling for an excessive fee. It doesn’t matter if the negotiated fee seemed reasonable at the time, but turned out to be excessive as things developed. It doesn’t matter […]