Tag Archives: California trusts
Where Can a Trust Be Sued? (Part 3: Jurisdiction)
As we saw in a previous article, in order to sue a trust in California (or anywhere in the United States), the suit or claim must be brought in the proper venue, before an entity (court or other body) with jurisdiction to hear the claim. Today, let’s take a closer look at jurisdiction. Briefly… Read More »
Where Can a Trust Be Sued? (Part 2 of 3: Venue)
WHAT IS THE PROPER VENUE FOR TRUST LITIGATION? Venue is a legal term that refers to the proper geographical location in which to file a claim. Generally speaking, when filing proceedings against or involving a trust in California, the proper venue depends on (a) the status of the trust, and (b) the geographical location… Read More »
Where Can A Trust Be Sued? (Part 1 of 3)
WHERE A TRUST CAN BE SUED DEPENDS ON THE PROPER JURISDICTION AND VENUE Generally speaking, the rules that control trust litigation in California can be found in the California Probate Code. The question of where a trust can be sued involves issues of jurisdiction and venue. Briefly stated, “jurisdiction” refers to the authority of… Read More »
What is a Charitable Trust?
A CHARITABLE TRUST EXISTS FOR CHARITABLE PURPOSES The definition of a charitable trust may sound circular, but essentially, a “charitable trust” is created to provide support for a charity or a charitable purpose, rather than specific individuals. For this reason, the beneficiaries of a charitable trust cannot be specific, named individuals. Instead, the beneficiaries of… Read More »
Can a Trust’s Lawyer Receive Distributions of Trust Assets?
A LAWYER’S FEES CAN BE PAID FROM TRUST ASSETS A lawyer who is acting on behalf of a trust in a professional capacity (i.e., as the trustee or as legal counsel to a trust) can be paid from trust assets. The funds in the trust’s bank or other accounts can be used to pay… Read More »
Court Authority Over Family Trusts
WHICH COURT HAS JURISDICTION OVER FAMILY TRUSTS? The answer depends on where the trust was formed, where its assets are located, and the terms of the trust agreement. However, in most cases, an inter vivos (often called “family”) trust that is formed in California by a California settlor* falls within the general jurisdiction of… Read More »
What is “Court Supervision” of a Trust?
COURT SUPERVISION REFERS TO A PROBATE COURT OVERSEEING TRUST PROCEEDINGS Although many inter vivos trusts are designed to avoid probate and other proceedings involving the court after the settlor’s death, there are circumstances in which the probate court will (and in some cases, must) oversee the administration and handling of a trust. “Court supervision” refers… Read More »
What is the Difference Between an Inter Vivos Trust and a Testamentary Trust?
A TESTAMENTARY TRUST IS CREATED IN A WILL AND FUNDED THROUGH PROBATE As the name suggests, a “testamentary” trust is created in a testament — either a will or an addendum to a will called a codicil. Although the terms of a testamentary trust are established in the will, the trust itself does not come into… Read More »
When Has a California Trustee Breached His or Her Fiduciary Duty?
FIDUCIARIES MUST ACT WITH “UTMOST GOOD FAITH” A fiduciary, like the trustee of a trust, must act with the highest degree of good faith, and for the benefit of the person or entity to whom the fiduciary owes the duty. In the case of a trustee, this means managing the trust, and the trust… Read More »
