Opinion ID: 1910412
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: ruth's estate sues trustee

Text: In August, Ruth's estate filed an action for breach of the trust and to compel the trustee to comply with its duties. Ruth's estate alleged that beginning in 2001, Ruth's physical and mental health had deteriorated and that her relatives and representatives inquired to the Trustee about the terms of the Trust and, in particular, the sections of the Trust [dealing with payments to the beneficiaries for illness and distribution of the estate]. It alleged that the trustee knew or should have known of Ruth's medical condition and needs, but did not exercise any diligence in inquiring about her support or distribute any funds for her support. The estate did not allege that anyone on Ruth's behalf asked the trustee for support payments before Ruth's death. The court set an evidentiary hearing on the estate's action against the trustee for August 23, 2005. Before the hearing, Ruth's estate deposed the trust officer who had written the trustee's letter, and the remainder beneficiaries served additional discovery on the trustee. On August 11, the trustee moved to consolidate the actions and continue the evidentiary hearing. The court also set a hearing on those motions for August 23, to be conducted before the evidentiary hearing.