Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in California

Estate Trust

I found that my cousin is Trustee of my deceesed aunts estate. My aunt died three years ago but my cousin never distributed the estate as directed by the trust. Now the estate is worth a third of what it was three years age. Is my cousin liable for the depreciation?


Asked on 7/01/09, 12:09 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

Jerold M. Gorski Law Offices of Jerold M. Gorski

Re: Estate Trust

It depends on what the trust documents provide. If this is a southern California matter and you are a trust beneficiary, feel free to call me.

Read more
Answered on 7/01/09, 4:17 pm
Scott Linden Scott H. Linden, Esq.

Re: Estate Trust

It is quite likely, however it depends on the terms of the trust and what your cousin has been doing with the trust assets during this 3 year period.

As trustee, your cousin had a fiduciary duty (the highest one recognized by the law) to protect the assets and prevent waste. If your cousin has not been preforming up to their duty, reasonably, then it is likely that they could be found personally liable for the decrease in value.

Of course, if the decrease was due to the decrease in real property values, then the case may not be as strong, but there is still an argument that your cousin should have sold off real property and reinvested the money into a different form of asset.

Couple of questions...where was the death? Where is your cousin? Where are you?

If you would like to discuss this matter further in a more private forum, please feel free to contact me directly at the email address provided by LawGuru or through our firm�s website located at PasadenaEstatePlanning.com

IMPORTANT:

No attorney-client nor confidential relationship is created through this communication. You may not rely in any way on this communication, and nothing herein constitutes legal advice nor legal opinion. Your issue may be time-sensitive and may result in a loss of rights if you do not obtain an attorney immediately.

Read more
Answered on 7/01/09, 5:02 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Probate, Trusts, Wills & Estates questions and answers in California