Trustee Surcharge Litigation in California

Trustee surcharge litigation involves asking a Probate Court to hold a California Trustee or Executor financially responsible for harms caused to a Trust or Will beneficiary’s inheritance. Some of the common things a Trustee can be surcharged for include:

Using Trust assets for the Trustee’s own interest.
Failing to properly invest the Trust assets.
Failing to diversify the Trust’s portfolio of financial and real property assets.
Using Trust assets to pay for attorneys fees that were incurred by the actions of the Trustee.

> We have recovered more than $250 million for our clients
> Albertson & Davidson, LLP recovered more than $250 million for our clients

These are just a few examples of when a Probate Court will surcharge a Trustee so that money can be returned to the rightful Trust or Will beneficiaries.

Trustees hold an important position in Trust matters. They have a host of duties and responsibilities that go along with that position. But all too often Trustees don’t understand, appreciate, or follow the many fiduciary duties they are required to uphold. From treating each and every beneficiary fairly, to properly accounting for their actions and spending, to making proper Trust distributions when they are due. When a Trustee violates his or her duty as trustee, it can spell disaster for the Trust beneficiaries. As a beneficiary, there are times when you have to stick up for yourself and take action. Sometimes action can be a simple demand letter to a trustee. More often, however, action requires filing a trustee breach of duty lawsuit in Court.

Albertson & Davidson, LLP has helped many beneficiaries protect and preserve their rights in California Trust and Will matters. Taking on a Trustee is not easy because the Trustee can use the Trust funds to pay for his lawyer, whereas a beneficiary does not have that luxury. But when a Trustee goes astray from his or her duties, a beneficiary has no other choice but to stand up for what is right. We are here to help in the pursuit of fairness and justice for all California beneficiaries.

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Our in-depth knowledge of Trust and Estate matters is essential in holding Trustees and Executors responsible for the financial losses they allowed while acting as a fiduciary of a California Trust or Will. This experience allows us to provide a unique perspective to Trust and Will beneficiaries when they lose a portion, or all of, their inheritance at the hands of a Trustee or Executor who disregards their legal obligations. And we have the necessary trial experience to handle all matters up to and through trial, if necessary, to achieve a client’s desired result.

Testimonial

I had three Trustees who refused to communicate or work with me on any level. They were rude, hateful, dishonest, and they did not care about me or my interest in the Trust. My trust was losing money month after month. I went to several lawyers for help and they told me that nothing could be done, and that I didn’t have a case! I then met with Stewart Albertson at Albertson & Davidson, LLP and he accepted my case. Stewart helped me when no one else wanted to! After several years of aggressive litigation by Stewart and his team, he was able to get the three Trustees removed, not an easy thing to do under California law. A new trustee, receptive to my needs, was appointed. I will soon be receiving an outright distribution from the Trust. I can’t thank Stewart and his team enough for all they did for me. They take a personal interest in their clients, and genuinely care about them. They go above and beyond the call of duty. I highly recommend Stewart and Albertson & Davidson, LLP to anyone who is a beneficiary being abused or mistreated by Trustees.

Review by: P. Chilson
Reviewing: Abused Beneficiary Legal Services
Date Published: 09/06/2018
Rating: ★★★★★ 5 / 5 stars

Legally Reviewed By

Keith A. Davidson

Mr. Davidson attended Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, where he served as the Note and Comment Editor for the Loyola International and Comparative Law Review before graduating in the top ten percent of his class.

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