If I am a successor trustee and sole beneficiary of my brother’s small estate, what are my legal responsibilities and obligations?
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If I am a successor trustee and sole beneficiary of my brother’s small estate, what are my legal responsibilities and obligations?
He transferred his condo into the Trust which has about 140k in equity. That is all he put in the Trust, which included a pour over Will saying all goes to me to distribute as I see fit. There were. I directions to give anything to anyone. Now, my brother who passed away, was single and no children. He had 2 parents still alive and one sister, besides me, 3 nephews and 1 niece. My parents and sister, met with the woman who wrote the Trust. She handed it to me with the copy. She said he left all to me to distribute and no other names so in essence it’s all mine. Do I have to notify them and give them copy of Trust?
Asked on May 17, 2014 under Estate Planning, California
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 9 years ago | Contributor
Based upon what you have written, if you are the sole beneficiary under the trust, you have no obligation to give any other relative a copy. However, to avoid family in fighting such distribution is recommended. Likewise with respect to the pour over Will, I recommend that you probate it and obtain an order of distribution as to those assets not placed in trust. I suggest consulting with a Wills and trust attorney in your locality. One can be found on attorneypages.com.
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