Plaintiffs requested a declaration that all amendments to the Trust executed after April 2007 were void because Settlor did not have capacity to execute them, and because Settlor was unduly influenced by her son.
According to the motion, Article III only allowed the identification and distribution of heirlooms, not all personal property. P argued that the John Deere tractor and other valuable items were not heirlooms and should not have been distributed to N.
Respondent, now represented by counsel, filed a motion for reconsideration or relief from the probate court’s order, arguing that the order inappropriately distributed trust assets before other issues in the action were resolved, and arguing further that respondent was prejudiced by his lack of notice and inability to retain counsel before the hearing.
The fact that an irrevocable trust, which includes former assets of an institutionalized spouse, can make payments to a community spouse does not automatically render the assets held by the trust countable for the purpose of an institutionalized spouse’s initial eligibility determination.
The key difference between discretionary trusts, support trusts, and spendthrift trusts is that creditors cannot compel the trustee of a discretionary trust to pay any part of the income or principal in order that the creditors may be paid. The opposite is true of spendthrift and support trusts, which allow trust assets to be reached to satisfy creditors, including creditors seeking to satisfy claims for child support and alimony.
In 2016, Petitioners asserted that the mother and daughter M breached their duty of loyalty by giving son M an unequal share of property from the trust and by depleting the trust for purposes other than the mother’s care.
The $27,000 ordered to be paid to respondents from the trusts was not a sanction, but instead was reimbursement to the trustees for expenses incurred in defending the petition. The Trust contains language providing for the reimbursement of expenses incurred by trustees in administering the trust.
The trial court concluded that appellant did not produce sufficient evidence to establish a genuine issue of material fact regarding decedent’s mental capacity to properly execute his 7/14 will.
The age of an adult is not a proper ground for disqualification under EPIC. As adults, the children are fully qualified to serve as guardians and conservators for their father. Adulthood is all that is required under EPIC.
MCL 700.7803 states that a trustee shall act as would a prudent person in dealing with the property of another, including following the standards of the Michigan prudent investor rule. If the trustee has special skills or is named trustee on the basis of representation of special skills or expertise, the trustee is under a duty to use those skills. MCL 700.7810 states that a trustee shall take reasonable steps to take control of and protect the trust property.
The Michigan probate code states that for purposes of a statute of limitations, the proper presentation of a claim is equivalent to commencement of a proceeding on the claim.
The probate court determined that it lacked jurisdiction to hear the petition because the situs of the trust had been transferred to Florida.
Appellants argue that because they provided medical evidence and appellee did not, the trial court was bound to grant their motion. But appellants cited no legal authority that medical testimony on behalf of the non-moving party is necessary.
The trial court found that both the lease and the legal description of farmland attached to the Trust Agreement are defective because the Trust never owned the property, as evidenced by the quitclaim deed and its recording in April 1998.
MCL 700.7704(3) permits the probate court to appoint a successor trustee if one cannot be appointed in accordance with the trust.
The parties agreed that the decedent properly executed the 2005 will with his wife, but the probate court was asked to rule on whether the terms of that will made it irrevocable, which would mean that the decedent could not change his estate plan by way of the 2015 will.
To establish undue influence, it must be shown that the grantor was subjected to threats, misrepresentation, undue flattery, fraud, or physical or moral coercion sufficient to overpower volition, destroy free agency and impel the grantor to act against his inclination and free will.
In terrorem clauses, also called “no-contest” clauses, generally provide that a beneficiary of a will or trust forfeits any interest under the instrument if the beneficiary challenges or contests any of its provisions.
As set forth in MCL 700.2502(1), there are specific formalities that are generally required to execute a valid will. However, as expressly stated in MCL 700.2502(1), there are several exceptions to these formalities.
Plaintiffs advised the probate court that they intentionally failed to file a witness list and an exhibit list as required by the court’s scheduling order because they objected to and never wanted a trial.
Appellant appealed Probate Court’s order denying his petition seeking enforcement of an option to purchase stock as conferred by the trust.
The probate court’s decision to order the property sold and the proceeds distributed equally among the beneficiaries is consistent with the settlor’s stated intent to distribute the value of the trust assets to the beneficiaries.
MCL 700.7111(1) provides that interested persons may enter into a binding nonjudicial settlement agreement with respect to any matter involving a trust, including the approval of a trustee’s report or accounting.
A noncharitable irrevocable trust may be modified or terminated by the court upon the consent of the trustee and the qualified trust beneficiaries, if the court concludes that the modification or termination of the trust is consistent with the material purposes of the trust or that continuance of the trust is not necessary to achieve any material purpose of the trust.
MCL 700.7602(3)(a) controls a situation of whether a trust can be amended. It provides as follows: The settlor may revoke or amend a revocable trust by substantially complying with a method provided in the terms of the trust.
In the application, petitioner stated that the decedent died intestate, and after exercising reasonable diligence, was unaware of any unrevoked testamentary instrument relating to property located in this state.
If you become incapacitated, you will need someone to make decisions on your behalf. These are decisions regarding what medical treatment you receive, paying bills, managing your bank accounts and potentially selling assets. Tales of people abusing their power of attorney designations are common. Many people designate their children, but is this the best choice?
An person who proceeds in propria persona is generally held to the same standards as attorneys. Accordingly, a litigant who decides to proceed without counsel is bound by the burdens that accompany such election.
Appellant appeals from an order of the Probate Court denying his petition to reopen his deceased mother’s estate.
In this contest over the probate and non-probate assets of Decedent, appellate petitioned to set aside pour-over will and trust documents executed by Decedent
Washtenaw Probate Court. The dispute in this case involves the meaning of the term "then beneficiary" in the Trust. This term defines the party or parties who are entitled to vote on the removal of a trustee and the appointment of a...
The Court of Appeals held that "MCL 700.2503 permits the admission of a will to probate that does not meet the signature requirement in MCL 700.2502(1)(b), as long as the proponent establishes by clear and convincing evidence that the decedent...
When considering estate planning, you are probably aware of the role of a will. While the traditional thought associated with a will is how property is handled after death, it can also be used to plan for medical treatment if you cannot make...
It can be difficult to consider the end of our lives when we are in good health, but lives can change at any moment so it is wise to be prepared for any situation that may arise. Despite the many benefits of a last will and testament, studies have...
Petitioner, the decedent's son, asserted that the decedent executed a will leaving almost the whole estate to him. Respondent, the decedent's daughter, contended that he "forged the document he wished to enter into probate, and thus that the...
The case involved plaintiff's challenge to an amendment of the Trust that disinherited him. Both plaintiff and defendant-Paul M. Lubienski (secondary successor trustee) jointly argued that the circuit court erred in concluding that it lacked...
The parties-siblings disagreed as to the terms of their father's trust, which included a 300-acre farm. During their dispute, Daniel claimed that a settlement agreement between them did not preclude him from seeking compensation and reimbursement...
Walter and Yvonne Massie established the trust in 1995. The only asset in the trust was their home. Petitioners charged that Juzenas was required to provide them an accounting every year beginning in 2009, and was required to provide notification...
Decedent wrote out a will while waiting at his lawyer's office, and the lawyer's secretary notarized it. He later committed suicide. The police officers investigating the matter turned over the letter and a copy of the will to the appellant and...
Otto and Margaret signed trust documents in 1993. They amended the trust the next year. Otto died in 2005. In 2011, "Margaret attempted to amend the trust to provide that, on the death of the surviving spouse," a piece of real property would go to...
