What to do if the trustees of a Trust are saying that they can alter the Trust to their liking because of an alleged side agreement with the Settlor?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

What to do if the trustees of a Trust are saying that they can alter the Trust to their liking because of an alleged side agreement with the Settlor?

This alteration will redirect 2/3 of the specified distribution of each beneficiary into a fund to take care of expenses for two people not named as beneficiaries of the listed assets. Is this legal for the Trustees to do? They have also been using the deceased Settlor’s personal credit cards. They are redirecting (stealing) around a half million dollars. What options do I have? The Trust became irrevocable upon the death of the Settlor.

Asked on May 18, 2014 under Estate Planning, California

Answers:

M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 9 years ago | Contributor

You need to seek legal counsel as soon as possible to act on your behalf (maybe get the other beneficiaries involved as well).  You need to have the attorney file a Petition in court regarding the alleged breach of fiduciary duty and possible dissipation of trust assets.  You need to shut down this Trustee asap.  Good luck.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption