February 25th, 2013

There are reasons why trust beneficiaries may want to waive or disclaim their interests in a trust.  But, if multiple class members intend or agree to collectively waive their interests, they may want to make sure that each class member actually waives his or her interest.  Otherwise, as we recently saw in the Georgia Supreme Court’s decision in White v. Call, the holdouts may wind up with everything. (more…)

January 10th, 2012

Trust litigation often involves many components.  If there is a dispute with a trustee, the plaintiffs often request removal of the trustee, an accounting, and damages.  As a practical matter, courts will often deal with the various requests for relief in a piecemeal fashion.  Thus, a court may enter an order removing a trustee and appointing a successor trustee many months before actually reaching a decision whether the trustee did, in fact, breach its fiduciary duties.

When these matters are addressed through separate orders, the question often becomes “can I appeal and when?”  In Guardianship & Protective Services, Inc. v. Setinsek, an Ohio Court of Appeals addressed that question under Ohio law. (more…)