News & Analysis as of

Fiduciary Duty Beneficiaries Trusts

Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A.

What Minnesota’s New Trust Law Means for You

Minnesota is implementing changes to the laws that govern trusts, estates, and powers of attorney, with most of the changes effective August 1, 2025. These legislative updates modernize long-standing rules, streamline the...more

Mandelbaum Barrett PC

Caveats in Probate: How to Challenge a Will in New Jersey

Mandelbaum Barrett PC on

After the loss of a loved one, families often face difficult questions—especially when the terms of a will are unexpected or the person named as executor is unfit. In these situations, it’s important to know that you do have...more

Offit Kurman

When a Corporate Trustee May Be a Disadvantage for Your Trust

Offit Kurman on

Last month I explored the potential advantages of naming a corporate trustee, acknowledging that the decision is ultimately a matter of personal preference. In this second part of a two-part, “point-counterpoint”...more

Saul Ewing LLP

What is the “Probate” Process? How Does It Work? Why Do People Want to Avoid It?

Saul Ewing LLP on

Probate is the legal process of administering a Decedent’s Last Will & Testament (“Will”), whereby assets owned by the Decedent at death are distributed pursuant to the terms of their Will, or if there is no Will, according...more

Miles Mediation & Arbitration

Preserving Relationships and Crafting a Resolution: The Advantages of Mediation in Probate Disputes

While every probate dispute is unique, there are some issues that commonly arise. When the validity of a will or trust is contested, one family member or group may accuse other family member or members of undue influence or...more

Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani

Virginia’s Often Overlooked Accelerated Statute of Limitations in Breach of Trust Claims

Under Virginia law, when a party is considering filing a lawsuit, the most important thing to consider is whether or not the cause of action that is the basis for the lawsuit is time-barred. This is determined by the...more

Walkers

Trustees, ESG and Investments – key considerations

Walkers on

As global attention sharpens on climate change and social justice issues, sustainability and responsible governance are increasingly becoming higher priorities for 'Millennial' and 'Gen Z' Beneficiaries....more

Mandelbaum Barrett PC

Protecting the Future: Why the Right Investment Advisor Matters for Special Needs Trusts

Mandelbaum Barrett PC on

Managing a Special Needs Trust (SNT) comes with tremendous responsibility. Trustees are not only tasked with safeguarding the financial future of a beneficiary with special needs, but they must also ensure that trust assets...more

DarrowEverett LLP

Keeping It in the Family (Trust): Additional Considerations for Contributing S Corp Shares

DarrowEverett LLP on

A large part of business sucession planning is structuring the transfer of business ownership. While outright transfers can be less complex, transferring ownership in trust can provide practical benefits that are worth...more

Winstead PC

Court Reversed Summary Judgment And Held That There Was A Fact Question On Whether A Trust Was Void Due To Forgery Or Fraud

Winstead PC on

In In re Est. of Prieto, the contestant’s mother executed a will in 2008 leaving her property to a trust. No. 04-22-00038-CV, 2024 Tex. App. LEXIS 6336 (Tex. App.—San Antonio August 28, 2024, no pet.)....more

Charles E. Rounds, Jr. - Suffolk University...

An action brought by a trust beneficiary to remedy a breach of fiduciary duty ought not to trigger the trust’s in-terrorem clause,...

A court should not enforce a trust in terrorem clause if its enforcement under the particular facts and circumstances would frustrate settlor intent. Assuming that the settlor intended to impress a trust upon the property,...more

Walkers

Key considerations for trustees deciding whether to exercise their power of appointment

Walkers on

Among a trustee's numerous powers, the exercise of its power of appointment is one it will most often be asked to consider exercising. It is also the power that will come under the most scrutiny from beneficiaries....more

Robins Kaplan LLP

Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous: Fiduciary Responsibility in the Spotlight

Robins Kaplan LLP on

Wealth and celebrity provide no immunity from the burdens of fiduciary responsibility. The more complex an estate or financial portfolio, the greater the opportunity for fiduciary breaches—whether through elder exploitation,...more

Walkers

Key considerations for Guernsey trustees when dealing with cryptoassets

Walkers on

The world of cryptoassets continue to evolve at a breathtaking pace, with cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ether reaching unprecedented heights and capturing the attention of HNWIs. Recent surges in the value of these...more

Winstead PC

Court Rules On Personal Jurisdiction In A Trust Dispute, Holding That In Rem Jurisdiction Still Requires Personal Contacts With A...

Winstead PC on

In Hooten v. Collins, a dispute arose between the trustee of a Texas trust and a beneficiary who resided overseas regarding the distribution of trust assets, which primarily consisted of real estate in Texas. No....more

Charles E. Rounds, Jr. - Suffolk University...

Liability of Trust Beneficiary Who Litigates Vexatiously or Participates in a Breach of Trust

The Restatement (Third) of Trusts, specifically §104, lists four general areas in which the beneficiary’s actions may lead to an assumption of internal liability to the trust estate: (1) A loan or advance to the beneficiary...more

McManis Faulkner

May a Trustee use Trust Funds in Beneficiary Disputes?

McManis Faulkner on

In California, trustees have a fiduciary duty to act impartially and in the interest of all beneficiaries. But what happens when a trustee uses trust funds to finance litigation that benefits only certain beneficiaries—or...more

Winstead PC

Presentation - Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow: Issues Arising From Trust Termination and Trustee Succession In Texas

Winstead PC on

On May 21, 2025, David Johnson gave his presentation “Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow: Issues Arising From Trust Termination and Trustee Succession In Texas,” to the North Texas Estate Planning Council. This presentation...more

Allen Barron, Inc.

A Trustee or Executor has Substantial Financial and Legal Liability

Allen Barron, Inc. on

Have you been asked to be a trustee or executor? A trustee or executor has substantial financial and legal liability, and the trust or estate will pay an attorney to guide them through the process....more

Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani

Kositzka v. Fick: Key Lessons on Trustee Fiduciary Duty in Virginia Trusts

In a recent decision, the Court of Appeals of Virginia upheld a lower court’s ruling that Kositzka, Wicks and Company (KWC) breached its fiduciary duty to Edward Joseph Ryan, awarding his estate $999,050 in damages, attorney...more

Charles E. Rounds, Jr. - Suffolk University...

Fiduciary Litigators Beware: the Overlapping Coverage of the Uniform Trust Code and the Uniform Prudent Management of...

Some administered charitable gifts may qualify as “charitable trusts” under the Uniform Trust Code (UTC) and as “institutional funds” under the Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act (UPMIFA). An “institutional...more

Winstead PC

Presentation: Trust Distributions in Texas

Winstead PC on

On May 1, 2025, David F. Johnson presented his paper, “Trust Distributions in Texas,” to the Tarrant County Probate Bar Association. His presentation covered the construction of trusts, various distribution standards...more

Winstead PC

Court Affirms A Trial Court’s Order Granting A Receiver’s Request To Sell Real Property

Winstead PC on

In Estate of Richards, a probate court entered an order appointing a receiver of estate property. No. 11-23-00031-CV, 2024 Tex. App. LEXIS 8626 (Tex. App.—Eastland December 12, 2024, no pet. history)....more

Farrell Fritz, P.C.

Lengthy Opinion Delivered Regarding In Terrorem Clause

Farrell Fritz, P.C. on

It is a rare day that the Court of Appeals, New York’s highest Court, deals with trust and estate matters, let alone something as granular as the validity of an in terrorem clause.  But speaketh they did, on April 17, 2025,...more

Fox Rothschild LLP

How Pennsylvania's New Directed Trust Act Will Affect Corporate Trustees

Fox Rothschild LLP on

Now that Pennsylvania recognizes directed trusts, corporate fiduciaries should be aware that sharing trust responsibilities could create both legal liability and administrative burdens. The law, which went into effect late...more

177 Results
 / 
View per page
Page: of 8

"My best business intelligence, in one easy email…"

Your first step to building a free, personalized, morning email brief covering pertinent authors and topics on JD Supra:
*By using the service, you signify your acceptance of JD Supra's Privacy Policy.
- hide
- hide