All About Estates

Category: Passing Of Trustees’ and Executors’ Accounts

Total 46 Posts

Estate Trustee Compensation – Discretionary Factors

Estate trustees are entitled to seek compensation for their work. Unless an exception applies, the court will exercise its discretion to determine the amount.

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Evidence of Contempt – More than Hearsay

If alleging contempt, more than hearsay evidence is required.

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Has a Contingent Beneficiary Asked for an Accounting?

An estate trustee does not have an obligation to provide a contingent beneficiary with an accounting; nonetheless, some form of accounting is generally done at the request of a contingent beneficiary. If accounts are not provided, a contingent beneficiary may bring an application to compel an estate trustee to pass…

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Passing of Accounts when the Grantor is Presumed Capable

In Winkler v. Thompson, the court considered whether a niece who held a power of attorney for property for her uncle (the “Deceased”) but insisted that she never acted in a fiduciary capacity for the Deceased should have to pass her accounts. The Deceased was survived by his estranged spouse…

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Software Applications as Aids to the Estates Advisor

Software Applications as Aids to the Estates Advisor For all of us advisors, there are likely certain types of software applications that we use for our day-to-day tasks: perhaps its Microsoft Outlook for sending emails, or a timekeeping software for recording dockets. And although these programs are leaps and bounds…

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Tips on Bringing a Passing of Accounts Application – Part 4

Today’s blog will provide some points to consider when preparing or responding to a notice of objection to accounts (the “Notice of Objection”).  This is a continuation of my series of blogs related to bringing an application to pass accounts (the “Passing Application”).[1] How Does a Beneficiary Object? If a…

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300 Objections. 3 Week Hearing. $325,000 Costs Award.

Those who practice in the world of estates know that emotions can run high. Estate planning and estate litigation involve relationships and, often, family. And relationships and family are complicated. It can sometimes be hard to be reasonable in the face of difficult emotions. But reasonableness should be a guiding…

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The Importance of Fiduciary Duties

The Oxford Dictionary defines a fiduciary as a person in a position of trust, especially when it involves controlling money or property belonging to others. The law places particular emphasis on the trust relationship between a trustee and a third-party beneficiary. Among other duties, a fiduciary is required to: (1)…

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Tips on Bringing a Passing of Accounts Application – Part 3

Today’s blog is a continuation of my series[1] on bringing an application to pass accounts (the “Passing Application”).[2]  After the hearing date is set with the court office and the notice of application issued, the next step is to serve the beneficiaries.  The beneficiaries then have an opportunity to review…

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Tips on Bringing a Passing of Accounts Application – Part 2

In my blog Tips on Bringing a Passing of Accounts Application of March 5, 2021, I provided suggestions on preparing the accounts and drafting the court required documents when bringing an application to pass accounts (the “Passing Application”).[1]  In  today’s blog, I will share some tips on the next steps in…

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