Large Estate — Trustee Frustration

S

Sunowayne

New Member
Jurisdiction
California
I am one of 5 beneficiaries to a rather large estate. My father died almost 4 months ago. All beneficiaries get along and all are frustrated with the lack of progress administering the trust.
1 home + 2 industrial buildings + bank accounts + brokerage account.
There are 2 trustees who are in my opinion rather feeble. Friends of my father who died at 95.
There has been very little communication. As of today we have received an appraisal of the home and been told they are 'looking for someone' to appraise the industrial properties. No other communication.
This is in urban greater LA. Not the middle of some corn fields.
2 weeks ago (and a follow-up 1 week ago) I requested by email the amounts in the bank and stock accounts. No reply.
I am new to all this so maybe this is normal but it doesn't seem so.
At this point I suppose all I am asking is if this is 'normal'.
As I said this is a quite large estate and while the trust is a little complicated it is easily understood. I think these guys are just in way over their heads. One was billed as a retired CPA but has suffered a stroke ….. I will be kind and leave out at that.
What to do?
I am getting ready to see an attorney about this but want to be prepared with as much advance knowledge as possible before that. All us 5 are ready to rebel…..
 
Last edited:
Sunowayne said:
I am getting ready to see an attorney about this but want to be prepared with as much advance knowledge as possible before that. All us 5 are ready to rebel…..
Click to expand...

Meet the attorney. Bring a copy of the trust document. Bring a list of trust assets The attorney will tell you what he needs to know and what he needs to do.

You won't gain any "knowledge" from strangers on the internet who know nothing about the terms of the trust, the extent of the estate, and what the trustees have been doing until now. That's what the attorney is for.
 
I appreciate the advice given to you about this being fact specific. That being said, I think it's fair to share that there are often unintended consequences when it comes to trustee appointments. What seems good at the time with regard to trustees may change when testator lives longer than expected and the conditions of the trustees may change, as you describe.

So the answer to your question is yes, these things can happen. The process can also be more drawn out than beneficiaries would hope. If everyone gets along then you might not need an attorney just yet. Perhaps a good old fashioned phone call or two would be a better approach than an email, which is easily missed or misplaced or held for a delayed response. This is especially case for Old-Timers. Hopefully you'll get your answer and it'll save you a lot of money and grief not spent on an attorney.
 

Ask a Question

Ask a question here

Share this page

Back
Top