The Texas Supreme Court held that arbitration clauses in trust documents may be enforced regarding claims by beneficiaries against trustees. In Rachal v. Reitz, a beneficiary sued a trustee for failing to provide an accounting and otherwise breaching fiduciary duties. 403 S.W.3d 840 (Tex. 2013). The trustee filed a motion to compel arbitration of
motion to compel arbitration
Court Affirmed Arbitration Decision Because Multiple Documents Regarding The Resignation And Appointment Of A Trustee Constituted One Large Transaction
In Ruff v. Ruff, a beneficiary of a trust sued a former trustee, and that dispute was sent to arbitration. No. 05-18-00326-CV, 2020 Tex. App. LEXIS 6344 (Tex. App.—Dallas August 11, 2020, no pet. history). After the arbitration ruled for the beneficiary, awarding her over $49 million, the former trustee appealed arguing that the dispute should not have been sent to arbitration.
Continue Reading Court Affirmed Arbitration Decision Because Multiple Documents Regarding The Resignation And Appointment Of A Trustee Constituted One Large Transaction
Federal Court Holds That Trust Beneficiaries’ Claims Against Brokerage Firm Should Not Be Compelled To Arbitration
In Freeman v. Fid. Brokerage Servs., LLC, the mother of the plaintiffs executed a living trust agreement. No 3:18-CV-0947-G, 2019 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 34694 (N.D. Tex. March 5, 2019). Upon her death, the trust agreement directed that the trust assets were to be divided and allocated into trusts for the benefit of her husband…
Orders Denying Arbitration Are Immediately Appealable But Parties Must Wait Until After Arbitration to Appeal Orders Granting Arbitration
In Fletcher v. Edward Jones Trust Co., a party sued a trust company for inappropriately distributing funds from an account, and the trial court granted the trust company’s motion to compel the dispute to arbitration. No. 11-19-00017-CV, 2019 Tex. App. LEXIS 1280 (Tex. App.—Eastland February 21, 2019, Decided; February 21, 2019, no pet. history).…
The Texas Supreme Court Holds That Incorporating The AAA Rules Does Not Delegate Arbitrability Issues To The Arbitrator For Nonsignatories
Background: Arbitration Clauses May Apply To Trust Disputes
The Texas Supreme Court held that arbitration clauses in trust documents may be enforced regarding claims by beneficiaries against trustees. In Rachal v. Reitz, a beneficiary sued a trustee for failing to provide an accounting and otherwise breaching fiduciary duties. 403 S.W.3d 840 (Tex. 2013). The…
A Party Does Not Owe a Duty to Inform Another Regarding the Meaning and Impact of an Arbitration Clause
In Greenberg Traurig, LLP v. Nat’l Am. Ins. Co., a client sued its attorney for malpractice. 448 S.W.3d 115 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2014, no pet.). The defendant filed a motion to compel arbitration due to an arbitration clause in the parties’ engagement agreement. The plaintiff alleged that the arbitration clause was not enforceable…