October 19th, 2012

There aren’t a lot of cases out there dealing with reformation of trusts.  Many jurisdictions allow for reformation to conform with the settlor’s intent.  But settlors are usually understood to have meant what they said in the text of the trust instrument.  So what qualifies as an event worthy of trust reformation?

In Rockland Trust Company v. Attorney General, the Appeals Court of Massachusetts showed us one circumstance under Massachusetts law that would allow reformation of a trust:  avoiding adverse tax consequences, but with a caveat . . . . (more…)

May 31st, 2012

Probate court jurisdiction seems to give practitioners fits (see here and here).  The limited or specialized jurisdiction of probate courts certainly spills over into trust disputes.  In some jurisdictions, this can have far-reaching implications, such as whether a party has a right to a jury trial.

For example, in DiGaetano v. DiGaetano, the New Hampshire Supreme Court determined that several former trust beneficiaries appealing the judgment of a probate court were not entitled to a jury trial in superior court on their appeal.  It all came down to the nature of the relief sought and the jurisdiction of the original court in which the action was brought. (more…)