A trust is a legal device that allows someone to place assets under the control of a trustee for distribution to beneficiaries. It is often used to avoid probate upon the death of the person who funded the trust, known as the settlor. If the trust is revocable, the settlor may simply revoke or amend the trust to replace the trustee. Replacing the trustee becomes more difficult, however, if the trust is irrevocable. Under certain circumstances, however, California law allows the replacement of the trustee of an irrevocable trust.
Examine the trust deed to determine if the trust is revocable or irrevocable. If the settlor is dead, the trust is automatically irrevocable. It is also irrevocable if the trust deed states that it is. If the trust deed is silent on the issue of revocability, California law assumes that it is revocable.
Read More: What Is the Difference Between a Trustee and a Settlor on a California Revocable Trust?
Demand a written accounting of trust assets from the trustee. The trustee is legally obligated to provide a periodic accounting. Study the accounting statement for evidence that the trustee has mismanaged trust assets.
Gather evidence for any grounds for removal of the trustee. Under California law, a trustee may be removed for mismanagement of trust assets, financial insolvency, lack of fitness to carry out his duties such as serious health problems, excessive compensation, failure to perform his duties and infighting among co-trustees. Two types of evidence are persuasive: documentary evidence and testimonial evidence. As such, you could obtain a copy of his bankruptcy filing, or speak with a doctor who can testify about his medical condition, to serve as evidence.
Identify a successor trustee. A successor trustee may be named in the trust deed. If not, locate a person or entity, such as a trust company, willing to take over if the current trustee is removed.
Complete a California Petition to Remove Trustee. The petition is a two-page document that requires you to identify yourself and state your reasons for seeking the removal of the trustee. You must be the settlor, a beneficiary or a co-trustee to complete the petition in your own name.
Submit the petition to the court clerk of the California court with jurisdiction over the trust, together with the appropriate filing fee. If the trust was created while the settlor was still alive, a California Superior Court will have jurisdiction over the case. If the trust was created by the settlor's will, the California Probate Court with jurisdiction over the settlor's estate will have jurisdiction over the case. The filing fee varies by jurisdiction. The court will serve copies of the petition to all interested parties, such as the beneficiaries and any co-trustees. The court will set a hearing date if state law requires a hearing, or if the court determines that a hearing is needed.
Attend the hearing, if one is scheduled. Bring all evidence you have gathered, because you will have to present it at the hearing. You may submit documents into evidence and call witnesses to testify.
Tips
If the trustee mismanaged or embezzled trust assets, trust beneficiaries may sue him for monetary damages.
References
Writer Bio
David Carnes has been a full-time writer since 1998 and has published two full-length novels. He spends much of his time in various Asian countries and is fluent in Mandarin Chinese. He earned a Juris Doctorate from the University of Kentucky College of Law.