QUESTION
i think my brother the trustee of my grandfathers trust never paid me anything or even told me about a trust. can i find the trust somewhere?
Asked on Feb 19th, 2013 on Trusts and Estates - California
More details to this question:
im in ca, this was 14 years ago. i was 17 at the time.fast forward to present time. my brother and i dont talk, my grandfathers wife told me i was on the trust but she wont give me any info because she is scared of him. can i find out any info on the trust? or the trust it self? my grandfather had a very succesful bussiness at the time he died, so i think it could of been a good amount.
1 ANSWER
Some thoughts-
You will more than likely need to hire an attorney;
Your attorney may tell you that the "Statute of Limitations" has "run"- the statute of limitations consists of a period of time during which a lawsuit can normally be filed; once the statute has "run", the time allowed for that type of action is (usually) considered to be closed; 14 years is likely too long, although you may have an opening if you just found out about the trust/ issue;
Grandmom needs to cough up a copy of the trust or other documents she has, it's unclear from your question whether parents are still around, but if so, they should be consulted as well;
If you can't get a copy of the trust/ documents, you may want to ask your attorney re: an "official" letter to the brother requesting the documents;
Your brother, if he was the successor trustee and without knowing any of the other specifics, had a fiduciary duty to all beneficiaries of the estate for fair/ impartial treatment- if there is a legal action to be taken, this seems likely to be the main contention.
Good luck-
Answered on Feb 19th, 2013 at 3:40 PM