Filed 8/1/14 Marble v. Fibiger CA2/5

NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS

California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for 

publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication 

or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.

IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT

DIVISION FIVE

CHRIS MARBLE, as Administer, etc.

Plaintiff and Respondent,

v.

LORA FIBIGER, as Trustee, etc.,

Defendant and Appellant.

 B253266

 (Los Angeles County

 Super. Ct. No. KP014023)

APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, Thomas 

C. Falls, Judge. Affirmed in part; reversed in part.

James S. Link for Defendant and Appellant.

David K. Kroll for Plaintiff and Respondent.
2

I. INTRODUCTION

Defendant, Lora Fibiger, appeals from a December 2, 2013 Probate Code section 

172001judgment. Chris, Aaron and Brian Marble,2and Joey Hendricks, filed a petition 

for a determination whether they or their mother, Cynthia Ayala, were beneficiaries of 

the Porter Family Trust. Defendant and Ms. Ayala were sisters and beneficiaries of the 

Porter Family Trust. Defendant also served as trustee. The probate court found that 

plaintiff’s mother was a beneficiary and the survivorship clause did not bar her interest in 

the trust. Plaintiff is the administrator of his mother’s estate. Plaintiff filed a petition 

seeking a determination that defendant breached her fiduciary duty and committed 

financial abuse of a dependent adult and undue influence. The probate court found for 

plaintiff and granted general and punitive damages and attorney’s fees for violations of 

section 859 and Welfare and Institutions Code sections 15610.30 and 15657.5. 

Defendant appeals from both rulings. Defendant contends Ms. Ayala was not a 

beneficiary. Defendant argues Ms. Ayala did not satisfy the survivorship requirement. 

Defendant also appealed the probate court’s finding that financial abuse and undue 

influence occurred. We affirm the probate court’s ruling concerning the survivorship 

clause. We reverse the findings of financial abuse and undue influence entered against 

defendant.

 

1

Further statutory references are to the Probate Code unless otherwise noted.

2

Future references to Aaron and Brian Marble will, for clarity’s purpose, be by 

their first names. Chris Marble will be referred to as plaintiff.
3

II. BACKGROUND

A. The Porter Family Trust

On November 15, 1990, Kenneth Allan and Doris Joy Porter established the Porter 

Family Trust. The Porters were the settlors and first co-trustees. Defendant, named as 

“Lora Ann Breton,” and Cynthia Ayala, named as “Cynthia Lee Hendricks,” were sisters 

and the Porters’ adult children. The trust provided income for the settlors while they 

lived. 

In Article 3 of the Porter Family Trust, the first settlor to die would be known as 

“the deceased spouse.” The remaining living settlor would be “the surviving spouse.” 

The surviving spouse’s interest in the community trust estate and separate trust estate 

would be allocated to “the Surviving Spouse’s Trust.” Concerning the remaining assets, 

Article 3, section 4.1.1 provides: “The trustee shall allocate the following gifts from the 

remainder of the deceased spouse’s interest in the community trust estate and the 

deceased spouse’s separate trust estate: [¶] . . . [¶] Exemption equivalent gift 

beneficiary: Family Bypass Trust.” The surviving spouse could revoke and amend the 

surviving spouse’s trust. But the family bypass trust (bypass trust) became irrevocable

upon the death of the first settlor. Thus, the surviving spouse could not amend or revoke 

the bypass trust. 

Article 7 of the Porter Family Trust discussed the bypass trust. The bypass trust 

listed the surviving spouse as the income beneficiary. The principal beneficiaries were 

the surviving spouse and “the settlors’ descendants,” defined as the settlors’ children. 

Article 7, section 15.2.3 provides: “At the surviving spouse’s death, the trustee shall 

distribute the trust estate as follows: [¶] . . . [¶] The trustee shall distribute the balance 

of the trust estate in equal shares to the settlors’ children, CYNTHIA LEE HENDRICK 

and LORA ANN BRETON.” Certain stocks were also distributed which were not at 

issue in this appeal. 
4

Article 14 of the Porter Family Trust discussed various definitions, contesting the 

trust and disinheritance. Section 7.3.2, the survivorship requirement, provides: “The 

surviving spouse must survive the deceased spouse for six (6) months before entitlement 

to all gifts from the deceased spouse. For all gifts to other beneficiaries, the beneficiary 

must survive the donor-settlor for sixty (60) days before entitlement to such gifts.” 

Mr. Porter died on October 27, 2006. The residual assets of both the surviving spouse’s 

trust and the bypass trust were to be divided equally between the Porters’ two children, 

defendant and Ms. Ayala, upon the surviving settlor’s death. On October 17, 2007, 

Ms. Porter signed amendment number two to the Porter Family Trust, amending the 

surviving spouse’s trust to distribute its assets to defendant upon the surviving spouse’s 

death. Ms. Porter died on January 6, 2009. 

B. Stipulated Facts Concerning The Hospital Documents

Ms. Ayala suffered from cancer and was hospitalized on or about February 20, 

2009. Ms. Ayala and defendant were previously named as co-trustees. But Ms. Ayala

signed a declination to serve as trustee on February 14, 2009. While in the hospital, 

defendant presented Ms. Ayala with documents prepared by Lynn Huston, the same 

attorney who drafted the Porter Family Trust. We refer to these papers as “the hospital 

documents.” Ms. Huston later represented defendant following Ms. Porter’s death. The 

hospital documents included: a waiver of accounting and agreement regarding 

distribution (waiver and agreement), dated February 24, 2009; a receipt stating that 

Ms. Ayala acknowledged receiving a $125,000 check; in return, Ms. Ayala made a gift of 

the remainder of her interest under the bypass trust; the gift was to defendant; a 

handwritten document granting defendant permission to receive all assets in Ms. Ayala’s 

checking account; an advanced health care directive naming defendant as Ms. Ayala’s 

health care agent; and a purported will naming defendant as executor and bequeathing her 

estate to her children. Ms. Ayala signed all the hospital documents. The purported will 

was found to be invalid because Ms. Ayala affixed her signature to the wrong place. 
5

The waiver and agreement provided that Ms. Ayala accepted a $125,000 cash 

settlement. In return, defendant received Ms. Ayala’s interest in the Porter Family Trust. 

A notary public, Stacie Lynn Power, submitted an acknowledgement certificate of having 

witnessed Ms. Ayala sign the waiver. Concerning Ms. Ayala’s lucidity, Ms. Power 

noted, “Ms. Ayala was very tired and had trouble holding the pen but she was able to 

coherently explain and consent to the content of the document.” Ms. Ayala received no 

payments due her pursuant to the waiver and agreement prior to her death. No other facts 

concerning defendant’s interactions with Ms. Ayala at the time the hospital documents 

were executed are set forth in the stipulation.

On March 4, 2009, Ms. Ayala died at the hospital. On March 16, 2009, defendant 

opened a bank account named the “Porter Family Trust [For The Benefit Of] Cynthia 

Ayala” and deposited $125,000 from the bypass trust into it. Defendant arranged for 

Ms. Ayala’s funeral and paid funeral expenses from the account. 

On July 2, 2009, Ms. Houston wrote to Beth A. Atuatasi. Ms. Atuatasi was the 

attorney for Ms. Ayala’s estate. The letter states in part: “I am enclosing a copy of the 

initial deposit in the amount of $112,444.77 ($125,000 less funeral expenses). These 

funds will be turned over to the administrator when Letters are issued. I am also 

enclosing a copy of the cashier’s check which paid the funeral costs, a copy of a deposit 

slip showing the account is [For The Benefit Of] Cynthia Ayala and a copy of the May 

bank statement.” On January 8, 2010, Ms. Atuatasi wrote to Ms. Huston and stated in 

part: “Please be on notice that I have been retained as attorney to file a Petition for 

Administration of the Estate of Cynthia Ayala, with Cynthia’s son Chris Marble to be 

nominated as Administrator of the Estate.” Ms. Atuatasi wrote that defendant intended to 

file a petition to set aside the waiver executed on February 24, 2009, in the hospital by 

Ms. Ayala. The parties stipulated to the waiver and agreement, the receipt, and the 

document permitting defendant to receive all assets in Ms. Ayala’s checking account 

would not be enforced. 
6

C. Petitions To Establish Rights As Beneficiaries And To Construe The Trust

On April 29, 2010, plaintiff was appointed administrator of Ms. Ayala’s estate. 

On January 18, 2011, plaintiff, Aaron, Brian, and Mr. Hendricks, filed a petition to 

establish status as beneficiaries under section 17200. The January 18, 2011 petition 

alleges, “[I]f any beneficiary did not ‘survive the donor-settlor for 60 days’, the 

descendants of such non-surviving beneficiary would take their deceased parent’s share 

by right of representation.” Ms. Ayala died 58 days after Ms. Porter’s death. They 

alleged they were beneficiaries as a result and entitled to one half of the bypass trust’s 

assets. They also alleged defendant breached her fiduciary duty by diverting the bypass 

trust assets to herself. They sought as relief: a determination they were beneficiaries of 

the Porter Family Trust as descendants of their mother, Ms. Ayala; an order directing 

defendant as trustee to immediately distribute the assets to which they have been entitled; 

a determination that defendant breached her fiduciary duties as trustee by committing 

fraud; that they be awarded punitive damages; and an order denying defendant any 

trustee’s fees payable to the trust. 

On February 17, 2011, defendant filed her response. Defendant alleged: 

Ms. Ayala died before the 60-day survivorship requirement for entitlement to the bypass 

trust; the survivorship requirement necessitated Ms. Ayala survive 60 days after 

Ms. Porter’s death; and Ms. Ayala’s children had no standing to challenge Ms. Porter’s 

pour-over will and bypass trust. 

On February 17, 2011, defendant filed her own petition to construe the trust under 

section 17200. Defendant repeated the foregoing allegations. Defendant contended

section 21110 applied to bar Ms. Ayala’s children from taking under the trust. Defendant 

also alleged that if Ms. Ayala’s children were beneficiaries, they had violated the Porter 

Family Trust no contest clause. 

On March 24, 2011, plaintiff filed his response to defendant’s petition. He alleged

in part that Ms. Ayala’s estate was the beneficiary of the bypass trust. This was so
7

because Ms. Ayala survived her father by more than 60 days to satisfy the survivorship 

requirement. 

D. Bifurcation Of Issues

On May 13, 2011, the parties submitted a joint trial statement on bifurcated issues. 

The parties submitted the following four issues whether: the provisions of Article 7 of 

the Porter Family Trust designate Ms. Ayala or her children as beneficiaries of the bypass 

trust; the survivorship language in Article 14, section 7.3.2 of the Porter Family Trust

preclude Ms. Ayala or plaintiff from having a beneficial interest; the provisions of section 

21110 apply to negate such an interest; and Ms. Ayala or Ms. Ayala’s children have such 

a beneficial interest, the probate court will determine what assets should be allocated 

from the Porter Family Trust to the bypass trust. The parties stipulated that if either 

Ms. Ayala or Ms. Ayala’s children were entitled to distributions, a further evidentiary 

trial would be necessary. The parties stipulated to the Porter Family Trust and its various 

amendments, and the dates Mr. Porter, Ms. Porter, and Ms. Ayala died. 

E. The Probate Court’s Ruling On Entitlement To One-Half Of The Bypass Trust

On June 27, 2011, a hearing was held on the parties’ petitions. On July 18, 2011, 

the probate court issued its statement of decision. The probate court interpreted the 

survivorship requirement to refer to the deceased spouse, Mr. Porter. The probate court 

ruled: “Chapter 14, Section 7.3.2 [the survivorship requirement] does not state the 

beneficiary must survive the surviving spouse for sixty (60) days. Rather, it uses the term 

donor-settlor. Words of the trust are determined from their ‘ordinary and grammatical 

meaning unless the intention to use them in another sense is clear and their intended 

meaning can be ascertained’ (Probate Code § 21122). Here the trust document at Article 

3, Section 1.5 defines the term ‘surviving spouse.’ ‘The first settlor to die shall be the 

“deceased spouse,” and the living settlor the “surviving spouse.”’ Had the settlors 
8

intended that both sisters needed to live 60 days beyond the death of the surviving 

spouse, they could have easily written it into the trust. They did not.” 

The probate court also noted the bypass trust existed upon Mr. Porter’s death, was 

irrevocable, and contained no survivorship clause. The probate court also found the 

Porters intended the balance of the bypass trust to pass in equal shares to their children. 

The probate court concluded: Ms. Ayala’s children had a beneficial interest to one-half 

of the bypass trust; the survivorship requirement did not preclude the children or 

Ms. Ayala’s estate from being beneficiaries; and section 21110 did not apply. 

Ms. Ayala’s children’s January 18, 2011 petition was granted as to finding they were 

beneficiaries. Defendant’s petition was denied. The asset distribution issue was set for a 

future hearing. 

On July 28, 2011, defendant requested clarification of the July 18, 2011 statement 

of decision. Defendant contended that based on the probate court’s ruling, the Ayala 

estate, not Ms. Ayala’s children, was the beneficiary of the bypass trust. On October 25, 

2011, the probate court issued its amended statement of decision finding the Ayala estate 

was the beneficiary of one-half of the bypass trust. No formal written order or judgment 

was issued by the probate court in connection with the statement of decision in 2011. 

The only documents promulgated by the probate court in 2011 in connection with this 

issue were the statement of decision and the minute order.

F. The Ayala Estate’s Petition And Defendant’s Petition To Settle Accounts

Plaintiff, as administrator of the Ayala estate, pursuant to sections 850, 856 and 

859, filed a petition on January 23, 2012. The petition requests: a determination of 

ownership and a transfer to the estate; double damages under section 859; an accounting 

and damages for failing to provide an account within one year after Ms. Porter’s death; a 

probate court order invalidating the hospital documents mentioned previously; damages 

for financial abuse of a dependent adult including attorney’s fees and punitive damages; 

and for general and punitive damages for fraud. 
9

On May 22, 2012, defendant filed her response. Defendant denied committing 

financial abuse, fraud, or undue influence in obtaining the signed hospital documents 

from Ms. Ayala. Defendant alleges the Ayala estate violated the no contest clause of the 

trust. (1 AA 175)~ On March 14, 2013, defendant filed a petition pursuant to section 

17200, subdivision (b)(5), to settle the Porter Family Trust. Defendant included the first 

accounting of the trust. 

G. Stipulated Facts For Second Hearing

On April 9, 2013, the parties submitted their amended joint trial statement on the 

remaining issues. The parties submitted the following issues to the probate court: 

“[W]hen [Ms. Porter] transferred her own separate trust property bank accounts into 

accounts held in the name of the of ‘the Porter Family Trust’ by retitling them following 

the death of [Ms. Porter], does the trust provide that such bank accounts became part of 

the Bypass trust or are they part of the Surviving Spouse’s trust?” A second issue was 

whether the Ayala estate triggered the no contest clause by claiming the bank accounts 

flowed into the bypass trust. The parties stipulated to the facts discussed in part II(B) of 

this opinion concerning the execution of the hospital documents. 

The Ayala estate sought: general damages as defendant failed to provide an 

accounting within one year after Ms. Porter’s death; general damages for breach of 

defendant’s duty as trustee to distribute any bypass trust assets to the Ayala estate under 

section 850; general and punitive damages for financial abuse of Ms. Ayala as a 

dependent adult under Welfare and Institutions Code section 15610.30 resulting from the 

execution of the hospital documents; and double damages under section 859 for 

defendant retaining Ms. Ayala’s share of the bypass trust assets and refusing to deliver 

them until compelled to do so by the probate court. The Ayala estate also requested 

defendant pay her own attorney’s fees for litigation and pay the estate’s attorney’s fees 

for financial abuse of a dependent adult. 
10

Defendant denied all the allegations. Defendant argues she provided an 

accounting after the probate court determined the Ayala estate had a vested interest in the 

bypass trust. Defendant contends she sought a good faith determination regarding 

whether Ms. Ayala or her children had a beneficial interest because of the survivorship 

clause. Defendant asserts no financial abuse because she never sought enforcement of 

the hospital documents and did not retain the bypass trust assets because of those papers. 

Defendant denied hiding or concealing property assets. Defendant maintained the Ayala 

estate violated the no contest provision and should be assessed all attorney’s fees. 

H. The Probate Court’s Second Order On Remaining Issues

On May 14, 2013, the probate court heard argument on the remaining issues. On 

June 4, 2013, defendant filed a motion to dismiss the financial abuse claim. On August 7, 

2013, the probate court denied the dismissal motion. 

On September 10, 2013, the probate court issued its statement of decision. The 

probate court requested the parties submit questions similar to a special verdict. The 

probate court: adjudicated the distribution of assets, finding the disputed accounts were 

to be split evenly between the survivor’s and the bypass trusts; the Ayala estate did not 

violate the no contest clause; and the Ayala estate waived its claim for fiduciary duty 

breach damages because they would be duplicative of a judgment pursuant to section 

850. 

Concerning financial abuse under Welfare and Institutions Code section 15610.30, 

subdivision (a)(3), the probate court concluded: defendant took Ms. Ayala’s property 

with the execution of the hospital documents; the taking was done with intent to defraud 

or for a wrongful use or undue influence; Ms. Ayala was harmed by defendant’s act; 

defendant’s conduct was a substantial factor in causing Ms. Ayala’s harm; defendant 

took, obtained or retained Ms. Ayala’s personal property, a dependent adult, by means of 

the waiver and agreement; defendant obtained the foregoing property while she was a 

trustee of the bypass trust which gave rise to a presumption of undue influence under 
11

Civil Code section 1575; and the presumption was not rebutted. The probate court 

awarded the Ayala estate reasonable attorney’s fees under Welfare and Institutions Code 

section 15657.5. The probate court found: defendant refused to distribute Ms. Ayala’s 

beneficial interest based on the totality of the evidence, including the hospital documents;

the Ayala estate was entitled to judgment under section 850, subdivision (a)(2)(D);

defendant was subject to double damages under section 859; the legal fees incurred in 

construing the survivorship clause and the joint accounts were to be assessed against 

defendant, not the Ayala estate or the trust; and defendant fraudulently took Ms. Ayala’s 

beneficiary interest in the Porter Family Trust by undue influence. The probate court

awarded punitive damages under Welfare and Institutions Code section 15657.5. 

On December 2, 2013, the probate court issued its judgment. Defendant 

subsequently appealed on December 12, 2013. The judgment is appealable as a final 

order under section 17200. (§ 1304, subd. (a); Code Civ. Proc., § 904.1, subd. (a)(10).)

III. DISCUSSION

A. Appealability

First, plaintiff argues that defendant expressly waived her right to appeal the 

October 21, 2011 order concerning the rights of beneficiaries. However, there is no 

language in any of the stipulated facts which indicates defendant expressly waived her 

right to appeal. The waiver of the right to appeal must be clear and express. (Guseinov v. 

Burns (2006) 145 Cal.App.4th 944, 952; Lovett v. Carrasco (1998) 63 Cal.App.4th 48, 

53.) Any doubt as to whether a waiver of the right to appeal has occurred must be 

resolved in favor of the appealing party. (Guseinov v. Burns, supra, 145 Cal.App.4th at 

p. 953; Bischel v. Fire Ins. Exchange (1991) 1 Cal.App.4th 1168, 1172.) In the absence 

of any language in any document indicating an intent to waive the right to appeal, the 

appeal may not be dismissed on this ground.
12

Second, plaintiff argues defendant’s appeal from the October 21, 2011 ruling

concerning the rights of beneficiaries is untimely. However, in connection with the 

October 21, 2011 ruling, the probate court never signed a contemporaneous judgment or 

order; it merely issued a statement of decision and a minute order. The probate court 

never directed that a judgment or other appealable order be prepared by any party. The 

issue is comparatively close but it is doubtful the October 21, 2011 statement of decision 

was a final order. (Prob. Code, § 1304, subd. (a).) The probate court did not rule on the 

parties’ petitions with any degree of finality in the October 21, 2011 statement of 

decision. It is undisputed substantial future judicial action was necessary. Thus, this case 

falls within the general rule identified in Alan v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (2007) 

40 Cal.4th 894, 901. (See Morgan v. Imperial Irrigation Dist. (2014) 223 Cal.App.4th 

892, 904; In re Marriage of Campi (2013) 212 Cal.App.4th 1565, 1570-1572.) 

Defendant’s December 12, 2013 appeal from the October 21, 2011 order is timely.

B. The Survivorship Clause Did Not Bar Ms. Ayala From Her Share Of The Family 

Bypass Trust

Our Supreme Court has held: “The interpretation of a will or trust instrument 

presents a question of law unless interpretation turns on the credibility of extrinsic 

evidence or a conflict therein. [Citations.]” (Burch v. George (1994) 7 Cal.4th 246, 254; 

see Tunstall v. Wells (2006) 144 Cal.App.4th 554, 561 [same]; see § 21102, subd. (a) 

[“The intention of the transferor as expressed in the instrument controls the legal effect of 

the dispositions made in the instrument.”].) Our Supreme Court has explained:

“Extrinsic evidence is ‘admissible to interpret the instrument, but not to give it a meaning 

to which it is not reasonably susceptible’ [citations], and it is the instrument itself that 

must be given effect. [Citations.] It is therefore solely a judicial function to interpret a 

written instrument unless the interpretation turns upon the credibility of extrinsic 

evidence. . . .” (Parsons v. Bristol Development Co. (1965) 62 Cal.2d 861, 865; 

Gardenhire v. Superior Court (2005) 127 Cal.App.4th 882, 888.) Because the 
13

interpretation of the survivorship clause required no extrinsic evidence, we review the 

probate court’s order de novo.

Defendant argues the probate court erred in its interpretation of the survivorship 

clause. Defendant relies on Article 1, section 1.1.1 of the Porter Family Trust, which 

provides, “The term ‘settlor’ refers to one or both settlors.” Defendant also cites to 

Article 14, section 7.4.2, which provides, “The masculine, feminine, or neuter gender and 

the singular or plural number shall each include the others whenever the context 

indicates.” Defendant argues the survivorship clause requires, “For all gifts to other 

beneficiaries, the beneficiary must survive the donor-settlor for sixty (60) days before 

entitlement to such gifts.” Defendant concludes that because “settlor” includes both the 

single and plural definition, the trial court erred by finding it meant only one settlor. 

Defendant maintains Ms. Ayala was required to survive both the Porters by 60 days in 

order for entitlement to the gift. 

Defendant’s argument is unpersuasive. Under Article 14, section 7.4.2, which 

defendant cites, “[T]he singular or plural number shall each include the others whenever 

the context indicates.” [Italics added.] Defendant would have the meaning of “settlor”

necessarily include “settlors.” However, under Article 1, section 1.1.1, the term can 

mean either “settlor” or “both settlors.” There is an ambiguity concerning the meaning of 

“donor-settlor” in the survivorship clause. Under section 21121: “All parts of an 

instrument are to be construed in relation to each other and so as, if possible, to form a 

consistent whole. If the meaning of any part of an instrument is ambiguous or doubtful, it 

may be explained by any reference to or recital of that part in another part of the 

instrument.” We thus examine the context of the survivorship clause and the term 

“donor-settlor” in relation to the rest of the trust.

The survivorship clause refers to “gifts,” which appear in Article 3. Article 3 

describes what the trustee is to do when the first settlor, in this case, Mr. Porter, died. 

Article 3 requires the remainder of the deceased spouse’s community and separate trust 

estate go as an exemption equivalent gift to the bypass trust. Thus, the bypass trust did 

not come into existence until the moment the deceased spouse, Mr. Porter, died. The 
14

“gifts” referred to in the survivorship clause would reasonably refer to the settlor who 

provided it. It is the first settlor who provides the gift of the bypass trust upon his or her 

death. Therefore, the most reasonable conclusion is that “donor-settlor” in the 

survivorship clause refers to Mr. Porter. Other terms in the Porter Family Trust support 

this interpretation. As noted by the probate court, the bypass trust became irrevocable 

upon the first settlor’s death. The bypass trust also named the settlors’ children as 

principal beneficiaries of the gift. 

Defendant contends the entitlement to a gift occurs when it is distributed. The 

bypass trust distributes its assets to the settlors’ children (defendant and Ms. Ayala) upon 

the surviving spouse’s (Ms. Porter’s) death. Defendant argues the survivorship clause’s 

60-day requirement did not begin until after Ms. Porter died. The following is 

defendant’s position. Ms. Ayala died 58 days after Ms. Porter. Hence, Ms. Ayala did not 

satisfy the 60-day survivorship requirement. Ms. Ayala survived only 58 days after 

Ms. Porter’s death. Thus, according to defendant, Ms. Ayala could recover nothing under 

the survivorship clause. Because Ms. Ayala could not recover anything, neither could her 

estate. 

Defendant relies on Burkett v. Capovilla (2003) 112 Cal.App.4th 1444, 1447-1452

(Burkett). In Burkett, the settlor had two children, a daughter and a son. The settlor 

created a living trust in 1998. (Id. at pp. 1447-1448.) The trust instrument instructed the 

trust estate be used for the settlor’s benefit during her lifetime. (Id. at p. 1448.) The trust 

contemplated distributions of the trust assets to her children. (Ibid.) The trust contained 

a survivorship clause which stated: “‘Survivorship Requirements: For all gifts under this 

instrument, the beneficiary must survive for sixty (60) days before entitlement to such 

gifts.’” (Ibid.) The daughter died in September 2001 and the settlor died one month 

later. (Ibid.) In other words, the daughter died before the settlor. The trustee sought the 

probate court for permission to distribute the assets of the trust to the daughter’s heirs. 

(Ibid.) The trustee reasoned the gift to the daughter was effective because she survived 

more than 60 days after the trust agreement was executed. (Ibid.) The probate court 
15

ruled the 60-day survivorship requirement commenced on the day the settlor executed the 

trust agreement and not on the date of her death. (Ibid.)

The appellate court reversed. (Burkett, supra, 112 Cal.App.4th at p. 1452.) The 

appellate court construed the survivorship clause to require survival after the settlor’s 

death. (Id. at p. 1450.) Our colleague, Associate Justice Kenneth R. Yegan, concluded: 

“We must also give the words of the trust instrument their ordinary, grammatical 

meaning. (§ 21122.) In their ordinary usage, the terms ‘survive’ and ‘survivorship’

connote living past the date of another person’s death. This is especially true where, as 

here, the terms are used in a will or trust.” (Ibid. [fn. omitted].)

Burkett does not support defendant’s position. The appellate court further noted: 

“Settlor’s living trust is concerned with disposing of her property after her death; until 

that time, each gift described in the instrument is revocable, as is the trust itself. There is 

no gift described in the trust for which a beneficiary would have an ‘entitlement’ before 

the date of settlor’s death.” (Burkett, supra, 112 Cal.App.4th at pp. 1450-1451.) 

However, Burkett concerned only one settlor. Here, there are two. Mr. Porter died, 

creating an irrevocable trust upon his death. Indeed, Burkett suggests the opposite of 

defendant’s position--once the bypass trust became irrevocable upon Mr. Porter’s death, 

the beneficiary, Ms. Ayala, would have an entitlement to the gift. Entitlement to a gift 

did not necessarily require immediate distribution of the gift. (See § 24, subd. (c) 

[“‘Beneficiary’ means a person to whom a donative transfer of property is made or that 

person’s successor in interest, and . . . [¶] . . . [¶] [a]s it relates to a trust, means a 

person who has any present or future interest, vested or contingent.”] [emphasis added].) 

The probate court did not err by concluding the Porter Family Trust’s survivorship clause 

did not bar the Ayala estate from being a beneficiary of the bypass trust.

C. The Stipulated Facts Do Not Demonstrate Financial Abuse Or Undue Influence

Defendant argues there was insufficient evidence to support a finding she violated 

Welfare and Institutions Code section 15610.30. Because the probate court ruled on 
16

stipulated facts and questions of law, we review the order de novo. (Crocker National 

Bank v. City and County of San Francisco (1989) 49 Cal.3d 881, 888; Yesson v. San 

Francisco Transportation Agency (2014) 224 Cal.App.4th 108, 116.) The parties do not 

dispute Ms. Ayala was a dependent adult as defined under Welfare and Institutions Code 

section 15610.23. 

Welfare and Institutions Code section 15610.30 as it was in effect at the time of 

the relevant conduct, states: “(a) ‘Financial abuse’ of an elder or dependent adult occurs 

when a person or entity does any of the following: [¶] (1) Takes, secretes, appropriates, 

obtains, or retains real or personal property of an elder or dependent adult for a wrongful 

use or with intent to defraud, or both. [¶] (2) Assists in taking, secreting, appropriating, 

obtaining, or retaining real or personal property of an elder or dependent adult for a 

wrongful use with intent to defraud, or both. [¶] (3) Takes, secretes, appropriates, 

obtains, or retains, or assists in taking, secreting, appropriating, obtaining, or retaining, 

real or personal property of an elder or dependent adult by undue influence, as defined in 

Section 1575 of the Civil Code. . . . [¶] . . . [¶] (c) For purposes of this section, a 

person or entity takes, secretes, appropriates, obtains, or retains real or personal property 

when an elder or dependent adult is deprived of any property right, including by means of 

an agreement, donative transfer, or testamentary bequest, regardless of whether the 

property is held directly or by a representative of an elder or dependent adult.” (Stats. 

2008, ch. 475, § 1, pp. 3364-3365.) Welfare and Institutions Code section 15610.30 

concerning financial abuse was amended effective January 1, 2014. (Stats. 2013, ch. 688, 

§2; see Lintz v. Lintz (2014) 222 Cal.App.4th 1346, 1355, fn. 3.) No party argues the 

2013 amendment affects the outcome of this appeal.

Plaintiff argues Welfare and Institutions Code section 15610.30, subdivision (a)(3) 

applies. Plaintiff contends undue influence under Civil Code section 1575 occurred in 

the procurement of the hospital documents. Civil Code section 1575 provides: “Undue 

influence consists: [¶] 1. In the use, by one in whom a confidence is reposed by another, 

or who holds a real or apparent authority over him, of such confidence or authority for 

the purpose of obtaining an unfair advantage over him; [¶] 2. In taking an unfair 
17

advantage of another’s weakness of mind; or, [¶] 3. In taking a grossly oppressive and 

unfair advantage of another’s necessities or distress.” 

Our Supreme Court has described the role of undue influence in the context of 

wills and other estate planning documents as follows: “The principle that a will is invalid 

if procured by the undue influence of another predates the 1931 adoption of the Probate 

Code (see, e.g., Estate of Ricks (1911) 160 Cal. 467, 480), but is now codified in section 

6104. Undue influence is pressure brought to bear directly on the testamentary act, 

sufficient to overcome the testator’s free will, amounting in effect to coercion destroying 

the testator’s free agency. (Estate of Fritschi (1963) 60 Cal.2d 367, 373-374; Estate of 

Sarabia (1990) 221 Cal.App.3d 599, 604-605; see also Hagen v. Hickenbottom (1995) 41 

Cal.App.4th 168, 182 [principles of undue influence applicable to estate plan formalized 

by simultaneously executed inter vivos trust and will].) [¶] Although a person 

challenging the testamentary instrument ordinarily bears the burden of proving undue 

influence (§ 8252), this court and the Courts of Appeal have held that a presumption of

undue influence, shifting the burden of proof, arises upon the challenger’s showing that 

(1) the person alleged to have exerted undue influence had a confidential relationship 

with the testator; (2) the person actively participated in procuring the instrument’s 

preparation or execution; and (3) the person would benefit unduly by the testamentary 

instrument. (Estate of Fritschi, supra, 60 Cal.2d at p. 376; Estate of Sarabia, supra, 221 

Cal.App.3d at p. 605; Estate of Auen (1994) 30 Cal.App.4th 300, 309; see also id. at p. 

310 [where person alleged to have exerted influence was testator’s attorney, any benefit 

other than compensation for legal services may be considered ‘undue’].)” (Rice v. 

Clark (2002) 28 Cal.4th 89, 96-97, fn. omitted.) Our Supreme Court has held that the 

evidence of undue influence must exist at the time the relevant testamentary document is 

executed: “‘“The unbroken rule in this state is that courts must refuse to set aside the 

solemnly executed will of a deceased person upon the ground of undue influence unless 

there be proof of ‘a pressure which overpowered the mind and bore down the volition of 

the testator at the very time the will was made.’” (Estate of Gleason [(1913)], 164 Cal. 

756, 765.)’” (Estate of Welch (1954) 43 Cal.2d 173, 175-176.) Undue influence may be 
18

demonstrated by circumstantial evidence. (In re Estate of McDevitt (1892) 95 Cal. 17, 

33; Lintz v. Lintz, supra, 222 Cal.App.4th at p. 1355.) As noted, because the matter was 

litigated based upon stipulated facts, we conduct de novo review. (Ghirardo v. Antonioli

(1994) 8 Cal.4th 791, 799; Alameda County Management Employees Assn. v. Superior 

Court (2011) 195 Cal.App.4th 325, 339.) 

We conclude the weight of the evidence fails to sustain a finding of undue 

influence. The stipulated facts indicate: Ms. Porter spoke to defendant; Ms. Porter was 

unhappy to find out that if Ms. Ayala predeceased her children, they would receive a 

share of the trust estate; Ms. Ayala suffered from cancer and was hospitalized on or about 

February 20, 2009; while Ms. Ayala was hospitalized, she was presented with the 

hospital documents which she executed; Ms. Ayala also signed a document which the 

parties “believed” to have been prepared by one of her sons; defendant opened a bank 

account for the benefit of Ms. Ayala and deposited $125,000 into it from the bypass trust 

account; defendant arranged for Ms. Ayala’s funeral; and defendant paid Ms. Ayala’s 

funeral expenses from the foregoing account. The stipulated facts and undisputed 

evidence showed a notary public witnessed Ms. Ayala sign the waiver and agreement. 

As noted, the notary public averred regarding the waiver and agreement, “Ms. Ayala was 

very tired and had trouble holding the pen but she was able to coherently explain and 

consent to the content of the document.” 

No doubt, there is evidence of a motive on defendant’s part to deprive Ms. Ayala’s 

children of their share of Ms. Ayala’s estate. However, the evidence of undue influence 

and the like is virtually nonexistent. There is no evidence from physicians or other 

qualified medical personnel that Ms. Ayala was unable to make rational and thoughtful 

decisions. Other than the fact she was hospitalized for cancer, there are no medical 

records detailing her mental and physical condition. What is missing from this stipulated 

to evidentiary equation is evidence Ms. Ayala’s mind and volition were overpowered 

before and at the time she executed the hospital documents. (Rice v. Clark, supra, 28 

Cal.4th at p. 96; Hagen v. Hickenbottom, supra, 41 Cal.App.4th at p. 182.) Conducting 
19

de novo review as we must, we conclude there is insufficient evidence of undue influence 

to permit the hospital documents to be invalidated. 

Because we find no undue influence under Civil Code section 1575 occurred, 

there was no financial abuse of a dependent person under Welfare and Institutions Code 

section 15610.30, subdivision (a)(3). Welfare and Institutions Code section 15657.5 

provides an award of attorney’s fees and punitive damages when a defendant is found 

liable for financial abuse. Since we find no financial abuse occurred, attorney’s fees and 

punitive damages may not be awarded under this section.

D. The Stipulated Facts Do Not Demonstrate Violation Of Section 859

Section 859 provides: “If a court finds that a person has in bad faith wrongfully 

taken, concealed, or disposed of property belonging to a conservatee, a minor, an elder, a 

dependent adult, a trust, or the estate of a decedent, or has taken, concealed, or disposed 

of the property by the use of undue influence in bad faith or through the commission of 

elder or dependent adult financial abuse, as defined in Section 15610.30 of the Welfare 

and Institutions Code, the person shall be liable for twice the value of the property 

recovered by an action under this part. In addition, except as otherwise required by law, 

including Section 15657.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, the person may, in the 

court’s discretion, be liable for reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. The remedies 

provided in this section shall be in addition to any other remedies available in law to a 

person authorized to bring an action pursuant to this part.” As we previously explained, 

there was insufficient evidence of undue influence. We also found no financial abuse of 

a dependent adult under Welfare and Institutions Code section 15610.30. Accordingly, 

double damages under section 859 may not be awarded.
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IV. DISPOSITION

The December 2, 2013 judgment is affirmed as to the survivorship clause issue. 

The judgment is reversed as to: defendant being liable for financial abuse of a dependent 

adult under Welfare and Institutions Code section 15610.30, subdivision (a)(3); the order 

defendant pay attorney’s fees, costs, and punitive damages under Welfare and Institutions 

Code section 15657.5; and the order defendant pay double damages and attorney’s fees 

and costs under Probate Code section 859. All parties are to bear their own costs on 

appeal.

NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS

TURNER, P. J.

We concur:

MOSK, J.

MINK, J.*

 

* Retired Judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court, assigned by the Chief Justice 

pursuant to article VI, section 6 of the California Constitution.