They can be, but whether they should depends on the circumstances. It is common for individuals to nominate the same person to serve as both executor of their will and trustee of... Read more »
Trustees and beneficiaries have distinct roles during administration. When the two clash, timely legal guidance can prevent disputes from escalating. When a trust creator (called a settlor, grantor, or trustor) dies, the successor trustee initiates trust administration to distribute trust assets... Read more »
Trust administration article — content preview. Full article coming soon. About the Author: Dustin MacFarlane is a California-licensed attorney specializing in estate planning and trust administration. He helps trustees, beneficiaries, and families... Read more »
Trust administration article — content preview. Full article coming soon. About the Author: Dustin MacFarlane is a California-licensed attorney specializing in estate planning and trust administration. He helps trustees, beneficiaries, and families... Read more »
You’ve been named trustee. Congratulations. And prepare yourself for real work. Being a trustee isn’t honorary. It’s not a title you hang on your wall. It’s a job with legal responsibilities, financial... Read more »
Your parents called you aside. They said: ‘We’ve named you trustee of our trust.’ You smiled. You said thank you. You had no idea what that actually means. Now you’re worried. You’re... Read more »
California Legal Implications: Trustee Self-Representation in Probate Court A significant ruling in the case of *Donkin v. Donkin* has clarified the rules regarding whether a non-attorney trustee can represent themselves in California... Read more »
California Legal Implications: Powers of Appointment Can Override Trustee Duties In the complex world of California estate planning, the distinction between a trustee’s duties and a beneficiary’s rights is crucial. A recent... Read more »
If you’ve been named as an executor or personal representative in California, you’re likely facing complex legal responsibilities that can feel overwhelming. One question that frequently arises during trust administration is: “What... Read more »
If you are a trust beneficiary who believes a trustee has acted against your best interests, you may have the right to sue the trustee. To do so, you must have legal standing (i.e., a financial stake in the... Read more »