Estate Litigation Lawyer for Removing an Executor or Trustee
Estate Litigation Lawyer for Removing an Executor or Trustee
The process of removing an executor, trustee, or agent, can be a very difficult and emotionally draining procedure for anyone involved in the process. Should the circumstances demand that this type of action is taken, it is recommended that you do so only with the assistance of an experienced estate litigation lawyer at your side.
In general, these types of situations will involve many different family members, or anyone who is named in the estate. The process may not only be rife with challenges, but also tends to involve heated emotions and feuds between members, As a trusted estate litigation lawyer, we will work hard to honor the wishes of the decedent as well as your own. We may be able to remove executors, trustees, or agents under a power of attorney.
How an Executor or Trustee Can Be Removed
When a person dies, and has planned their estate, they may have left a will or a trust. Both of these tools are different; however, they will have named an executor or a trustee to oversee or manage the estate.
These people will have a broad range of fiduciary duties and will be held to the highest standards of diligence and fair dealing. Sometimes, the executor or trustee does not adhere to their duty and engages in activities that damages the estate.
Examples of their duties may include, but are not limited to:
- Finding, identifying, and gathering the assets of the estate;
- Notifying creditors of the death;
- Paying off any owed debts, including taxes;
- Selling assets to pay for the debt owed;
- Valuing assets
- Distributing assets according to the will or trust
- Managing the trust
- Maintaining accounting records of a trust
- + More
Just because an executor or trustee makes a bad judgement that resulted in financial loss, they cannot be removed. Nor can they be removed because an heir or beneficiary does not like them. Rather, as an estate planning lawyer in Melbourne, FL might explain to you, there must have been serious misconduct or negligence. Examples of this may include:
- They are representing the estate under false pretenses
- They have been admitted to a mental health facility
- They have been diagnosed with a disability
- They have been convicted of a felony
- They are mismanagement the estate
- They are conducting themselves in a way that they are endangering others
- They are not giving sufficient bond as ordered by the court
- They have failed to adhere to their basic duties as ordered by the court
- Other good cause exists
The removal process is generally lengthy and must include valid reasons as to why he or she should not be removed. Evidence must be able to support this. The matter will be subjected to a court hearing and a judge’s’ decision.
If you believe an executor or a judge has been mishandling an estate and you would like to find out whether or not they can be removed, please call an estate litigation lawyer.
Thanks to The Law Offices of Arcadier, Biggie & Wood for their insight into estate planning