Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in California

Executor refusal to distribute assets of a family trust

The executor of my parents will refuses to sell the family home and distribute the proceeds because she, as one of the recipients , wants to keep the house for the rental income.

This is causing great hardship to me as ,living in Canada, the exchange rate has changed radially in the past few months and now I am in a down almost $80,000 in value.

Combined with a 3% return from rental income, I consider it a truly lousy investment, but she refuses to sell or buy my portion out. Do I have any reasonable recourse?


Asked on 11/08/04, 12:29 pm

4 Answers from Attorneys

Ken Koenen Koenen & Tokunaga, P.C.

Re: Executor refusal to distribute assets of a family trust

You mention Executor and family trust, which do not go together. You also talk about a will. If there is a trust, the trustee must do what the trust says to do. If there is a will, a probate must be opened.

Need a little more information.

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Answered on 11/08/04, 2:02 pm
Donald Field Donald L. Field, Jr., Attorney at Law

Re: Executor refusal to distribute assets of a family trust

in order to completely and correctly answer this question, the will and/or trust agreement need to be reviewed. also it is necessary to determine the current owner or owners of the real property (still in your parents' name, in the name of a trustee, in the names of the beneficiaries of any will or trust).

normally, joint owners of property in California can file a partition action to divide the property (if possible) or force a sale. this can be accomplished in probate or in a civil action, depending upon whether or not probate has been opened or should be opened.

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Answered on 11/08/04, 2:18 pm
Scott Linden Scott H. Linden, Esq.

Re: Executor refusal to distribute assets of a family trust

Is there a will or a trust? If a wull, then there should already be a Probate hearing. If there is a trust and you are a named beneficiary, you may be able to file a Partition by Sale, but again, this will all depend on the terms of the trust, or will.

If you have a copy of any documentation, I would be happy to review it for you at no cost and give you a better opinion of your options.

Please feel free to contact me at my office at 626-578-0708 or through my web site at www.no-Probate.com.

Scott Linden

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Answered on 11/08/04, 4:59 pm
OCEAN BEACH ASSOCIATES OCEAN BEACH ASSOCIATES

Re: Executor refusal to distribute assets of a family trust

You may enforce the trust and seek damages against the executor/trustee. Call me directly at (619) 222-3504.

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Answered on 11/08/04, 6:11 pm


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