In Benge v. Roberts, a beneficiary sued co-trustees and sought to remove them for breaching duties by not considering claims against a former trustee. No. 03-19-00719-CV, 2020 Tex. App. LEXIS 6335 (Tex. App.—Austin August 12, 2020, no pet. history).
exculpatory clause
Court Affirmed A Trial Court’s Holdings On The Removal Of A Trustee, The Trustee’s Discretion To Construe A Trust, A Trustee’s Advice Of Counsel And In Terrorem Defenses, And The Termination Of A Trust
By David Fowler Johnson on
Posted in Cases Decided, Texas Court of Appeals
In re Estate of Bryant, a couple set up three trusts for their three children, Bill, Leslie, and Jane. No. 07-18-00429-CV, 2020 Tex. App. LEXIS 2131 (Tex. App.—Amarillo March 11, 2020, no pet. history). After the couple had both passed away, their son Bill assumed the role of trustee…
Breach Of Fiduciary Duty Claim Against Trustee Based On Self-Dealing Real Estate Investment Was Dismissed Due To Limitations, Quasi-Estoppel, And An Exculpatory Clause, But The Attorney’s Fees Award Against The Beneficiary Was Reversed Where The Award Was Not Equitable
By David Fowler Johnson on
Posted in Cases Decided, Texas Court of Appeals
In Goughnour v. Patterson, a beneficiary sued a trustee based on a failed real estate investment. No. 12-17-00234-CV, 2019 Tex. App. LEXIS 1665 (Tex. App.—Tyler March 5, 2019, no pet. history). In 2007, the trustee of four trusts invited his mother, the primary beneficiary, and his siblings, also beneficiaries,…
Court Affirmed Summary Judgment For A Trustee Due To An Exculpatory Clause
By David Fowler Johnson on
Posted in Cases Decided, Texas Court of Appeals
In Kohlhausen v. Baxendale, the court affirmed a summary judgment for a trustee on the basis of an exculpatory clause in a trust document. No. 01-15-00901-CV, 2018 Tex. App. LEXIS 1828 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] March 13, 2018, no pet. history). A mother created a testamentary trust for the…
Court Reviews Damages For Mental Anguish, Exemplary Damages, and Other Categories For A Trustee’s Breach Of Fiduciary Duty
By David Fowler Johnson on
Posted in Cases Decided, Texas Court of Appeals
In Wells Fargo v. Militello, a trustee appealed a judgment from a bench trial regarding a beneficiary’s claims for breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, and fraud. No. 05-15-01252-CV, 2017 Tex. App. LEXIS 5640 (Tex. App.—Dallas June 20, 2017, no pet. history). Militello was an orphan when her grandmother and…
Exculpatory Clauses In Trust Documents Are “Somewhat” Enforceable In Texas
By David Fowler Johnson on
Posted in Items of Interest, Latest From Knowledge Library
It is common for settlors to execute trust documents that contain exculpatory clauses. An exculpatory clause is one that forgives the trustee for some action or inaction. For example, a common exculpatory clause may state “The trustee may rely upon the written opinion of any attorney” or “The trustee shall…