In In re John O. Yates Trust, a trustee of a trust filed suit to obtain declarations on whether it could sell certain real estate held in the trust, and if so, whether the proceeds should be designated as principal. No. 04-21-00365-CV, 2022 Tex. App. LEXIS 9470 (Tex. App.—San
trust construction
Court Reversed Trial Court On Interpretation Of Trust Regarding Per Stirpes Versus Per Capita Distributions
By David Fowler Johnson on
Posted in Cases Decided, Texas Court of Appeals
In In the Interest of Riley Family Revocable Trust, a trustee filed suit for a declaration regarding who takes in the distribution of remaining trust property. No. 13-20-00084-CV 2021 Tex. App. LEXIS 5839 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi July 22, 2021, no pet. history). In article two, section 2.01, the Trust states:
Upon the death of both Trustors, the primary residuary beneficiaries of this Trust are the children of the Trustors, BARBARA JEAN RILEY JONES, BRENDA JUNE RILEY BRAGG, STEPHEN MARCUS RILEY, and ELAINE RILEY, and their descendants… For purposes of this Trust Agreement, the terms “issue” or “descendant” shall not include any child adopted by a grandchild of the Trustors.
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…
In A Suit To Reform A Trust, A Texas Court Holds That There Was A Fact Issue On The Settlors’ Intent And Remanded For A Fact Finding
By David Fowler Johnson on
Posted in Cases Decided, Texas Court of Appeals
In In re Ignacio G. & Myra A. Gonzales Trust, a couple formed a trust and named their daughter as the trustee. No. 06-19-00014-CV, 2019 Tex. App. LEXIS 4648 (Tex. App.—Texarkana June 6, 2019, no pet. history). The trust identified the settlors’ children as the two children that they…
Court Interpreted the Phrase “In Equal Shares Per Stirpes” in a Trust Document
By David Fowler Johnson on
Posted in Cases Decided, Texas Court of Appeals
In Archer v. Moody, the litigants in the declaratory judgment action were remainder beneficiaries of a trust created in 1934 and owned a 15,000-acre ranch near Junction, Texas. No. 14-15-00945-CV, 2017 Tex. App. LEXIS 11642 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] December 14, 2018, no pet. history). The legal dispute focused…
Court Holds That Trust Did Not Violate The Rule Against Perpetuities and That A Beneficiary’s Assignment Of Interests Violated A Spendthrift Provision
By David Fowler Johnson on
Posted in Cases Decided, Texas Court of Appeals
In Bradley v. Shaffer, family members placed mineral interests they inherited into the trust. No. 11-15-00247-CV, 2017 Tex. App. LEXIS 11154 (Tex. App.—Eastland November 30, 2017, no pet.). The trust instrument contained a spendthrift provision precluding the beneficiaries of the trust from assigning their interests in the trust. A…
Court Held That Settlor Had Standing To Assert Extra-Contractual Misrepresentation Claims Regarding Insurance Policies He Previously Transferred To An Irrevocable Insurance Trust
By David Fowler Johnson on
Posted in Cases Decided, Texas Court of Appeals
In Lee v. Rogers Agency, Lee purchased three whole-life insurance policies in the 1980s where each had a face value of $1,000,000. No. 06-15-00037, 2017 Tex. App. LEXIS 1069 (Tex. App.—Texarkana February 8, 2017, pet. filed). It was represented to Lee that the policies provided that Lee could shorten…