Bad Trustees Newsletter

Protecting Families from Trust Disputes

by Bad Trustees | August 31, 2025 | Beneficiary | 0 Comments

Trust disputes are some of the most painful conflicts a family can face. They often pit siblings against each other, strain relationships, and drain resources. The sad part is that many disputes are avoidable.

The True Role of a Trustee

by Bad Trustees | August 31, 2025 | Beneficiary | 0 Comments

A trustee’s job is to follow the instructions in the trust document exactly as they were written by the person who created it. That means no favoritism, no shortcuts, and no self-interest.

Why Beneficiaries Deserve Transparency

by Bad Trustees | August 31, 2025 | Beneficiary | 0 Comments

Transparency is more than just a legal obligation — it’s a moral one. Beneficiaries are not asking for favors; they are asking for what was intended for them

Why a Bad Trustee Would Not Be Entitled to Trustee Fees

by Bad Trustees | August 16, 2025 | Liability, Trustee | 0 Comments

⚖️ Why a Bad Trustee Would Not be Entitled to Trustee Fees?Forfeiting Trustee FeesIf the Bad Trustee is facing potential surcharge and documented breaches of fiduciary duty, his claim to trustee fees is almost certainly dead in the water — and trying to push for them...

Why a Bad Trustee Attorney Might Settle Before Trial

by Bad Trustees | August 16, 2025 | Trust Attorney | 0 Comments

If the Bad Trustee Attorney sees that the Good Trust Beneficiaires Attorney has clear, documented proof of the Bad Trustee’s lies — and those lies tie directly to measurable financial losses — there’s a strong chance he’ll push the Bad Trustee to settle before trial rather than risk.

⚖️ What Happens in a Probate Court Trial?

by Bad Trustees | May 31, 2025 | The Basics, Trustee | 0 Comments

A probate court trial is a legal proceeding that occurs when there is a dispute over a deceased person’s estate—often about a will, inheritance rights, or the actions of an executor or trustee. It happens when the normal probate process can’t be resolved administratively and must go before a judge.

Can a trust attorney be held liable for a lying trustee?

Apr 11, 2025 | Liability, The Basics, Trustee

Does a Bad Trustee ever really pay any consequences?

Apr 9, 2025 | The Basics, Trustee

Does a Bad Trustee ever really pay any consequences?Bad Trustee consequencesThat's a really...

Trustee inducing consent of a Beneficiary

Jan 8, 2023 | Beneficiary, Legal Terminology, Trustee

Inducing consent from a trust beneficiary by a trustee is a serious breach of fiduciary duty, potentially leading to civil penalties, but not typically criminal charges, unless the trustee’s actions involve theft or embezzlement.

Example of a probate hearing where a trustee is held accountable for lying

Dec 29, 2022 | The Basics, Trustee

Lying or concealing information from the court or beneficiaries can lead to serious legal consequences, including removal, civil penalties, and criminal prosecution.

How to push back effectively against an unfair or dishonest trustee

Nov 20, 2022 | The Basics, Trustee

Two perspectives to help trust beneficiaries push back effectively against an unfair or dishonest trustee during probate.

Why are Beneficiaries at a disadvantage versus Trustees in a probate case?

Oct 20, 2022 | The Basics, Trustee

Beneficiaries can be at a disadvantage compared to trustees in probate for several reasons, even though the law is technically on their side when a trustee acts improperly.

Why a trustee would lose a probate case?

Oct 4, 2022 | The Basics, Trustee

A trustee might lose a probate case for several reasons, usually tied to breaching their legal duties or acting in bad faith.

Can a spouse be held liable for a lying trustee?

Sep 7, 2022 | The Basics, Trustee

A spouse is not liable for a lying trustee unless they were directly involved, benefitted knowingly, or the misused funds ended up in community assets that can be reclaimed.