Removal of a Trustee – Fiduciary
Attorneys that can take care of the removal of a Trustee in Suffolk, Nassau, Brooklyn, Queens County New York.
When it comes to managing a trust for the benefit of you or your loved ones, removing a trustee is sometimes the only way to deal with problems that may arise. The law offices of CHRISTINE THEA RUBINSTEIN and Associates have helped many families with the difficult task of the removal of a trustee from an estate.
This can be especially important when trusts are used to provide for relatives and dependents both in life and after death. Our attorneys are not only trained in handling simple estate matters, we take care of complex estate litigation in the event of a contest, fraud or other complex issues in Nassau County, Suffolk County, Queens County, Bronx, Westchester, Richmond County, Manhattan and Brooklyn Kings County New York. With the assets held in trust being so crucial, here are five common reasons to remove a trustee from a trust:
Failure to Comply With Trust Terms.
A trustee is a person who is endowed with the legal ownership and management of trust assets, which are held for the benefit of the beneficiaries. With this grant of power comes the obligation for the trustee to act in the best interest of the beneficiaries and fulfill the terms of the trust.
If the trustee ignores or fails to abide by those trust terms, the beneficiaries can petition the court to remove him or her.
Neglecting, Mismanaging Trust Assets.
The trustee has a fiduciary duty to manage the trust assets in such a way that does not waste or devalue a trust’s funds. So when a trustee breaches that duty out of negligence or incompetence, the beneficiaries may petition for removal.
Trust vs Wills * Removal of a Trustee * Guardianship * Probate * Beneficiary Rights
Medicaid Asset Protection * Probate Litigation * Estate Litigation * Living Trusts
In Home Care * Supplemental Needs Trusts * Fraudulent Transfers
Self-Dealing
Similar to neglecting or mismanaging trust assets, a trustee who uses his or her control over the funds in a trust to his or her own benefit breaches the trustee’s fiduciary duty to the trust’s beneficiaries. This can prompt removal by the probate court.
However, when trustees are large financial institutions and the beneficiaries sign conflict-of-interest waivers, self-dealing may legally occur.
Good Cause.
When beneficiaries and trustees butt heads on how to distribute trust funds, beneficiaries can make their case more generally to a probate court why there is good cause for trustee to be removed. These reasons must be rational and reasonable given the circumstances.
Hostility Toward Beneficiaries
Even the paragon of peace, Nelson Mandela, had beneficiaries fighting with trustees over his trust. A significant breakdown of communication or hostility between trustee and beneficiary can lead to removal.
In any of these instances, beneficiaries must petition a probate court for a trustee’s removal, and then attend a court hearing to make it official. Because removing a trustee can get complicated, it’s often wise to consult with and employ an experienced trust attorney before you take this step.
Talk to an Elder Law, Estate Planning trial Lawyer today at the offices of CHRISTINE THEA RUBINSTEIN and Associates.
We are dedicated to your success — so contact us. Speak with one of our knowledgeable Long Island Elder Law, Estate litigation attorneys today from wherever you are in New York in Nassau and Suffolk, Brooklyn, Kings and Queens Counties, on Long Island and all New York City boroughs.
Call 1-800-488-6734 today.
Get Help With Your Estate Now before it is too late.
You should be prepared, you have only one chance of getting your Estate prepared correctly the first time.
You should know you have certain legal rights and must be very selective of the Lawyer or Law Firm that you chose to represent you.
Have an Attorney council you on the Right Decision for You.