Trustees have significant authority over each beneficiary’s inheritances and the legacy of the person who created the Trust. Still, there are several checks and balances in place to enable beneficiaries to oversee how a trustee is administering a trust and if it is compliant with the probate code and the trust document. Many Californians ask the same question: Are beneficiaries entitled to a copy of the trust in California? Per California trust law, trustee duties include keeping beneficiaries reasonably informed and providing a copy.
At Gokal Law Group, we always operate with compassion and have defended clients’ California trust law beneficiary rights and inheritance for years. Learn more in our blog.
Are Beneficiaries Entitled to a Copy of the Trust in California?
Per California trust law, trustee duties include supplying beneficiaries with different documents and information, including copies of the trust document when the trust becomes irrevocable or upon the death of the individual(s) who created the trust.
Trust beneficiaries can expect to receive a notice and copy of the trust within a few months of the creator’s passing. The notice and copy of the trust should include the following information:
- Who created the trust, and the date it was created
- The name, mailing address, and telephone number of each trustee
- The address of the physical location where the principal place of trust administration will occur
- Additional information required by the trust itself
If a trustee fails to mail this document, request it in writing, and the trustee has 60 days to provide it. Keep a record of this written request in case you need it for future reference. If a trustee refuses or fails to send it, working with a premier beneficiary lawyer is crucial.
“Obtaining and reviewing a copy of the trust is critical for beneficiaries. Without this document, beneficiaries are left in the dark and cannot know if a trustee is administering the trust according to trust terms. Too often we work with beneficiaries who receive the trust and see problems too late, which results in missing the opportunity to pursue California trust litigation and defend their inheritance.” – Mónica Reyes-Santiago, an Associate beneficiary rights lawyer at Gokal Law Group
Premier Beneficiary Lawyers in California
So, are beneficiaries entitled to a copy of the trust in California? Yes, this is one of the more important California trust law beneficiary rights to understand. In nearly all situations, this document is the only way to determine if a trustee is violating their responsibility and compromising the integrity of the trust and your inheritance. If a trustee refuses to provide a copy, this is a severe red flag and a signal California trust litigation is imminent.
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