Opinion ID: 874347
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: The Andersens are prohibited from representing the Terry W. Andersen and Rosanna Andersen Living Revocable Trust or the Andersen Living Trust in a pro se capacity.

Text: Indian Springs also argues for the first time on appeal that the Andersens are prohibited from representing the Terry W. Andersen and Rosanna Andersen Living Revocable Trust or the Andersen Living Trust in a pro se capacity. [7] This issue is a matter of first impression for the Court. Under Idaho law, a trust is not a separate legal entity; rather, a trust is no being at all. State v. Cosgrove, 36 Idaho 278, 284, 210 P. 393, 395 (1922). The trust property is owned by the trustee. A trustee is a man who is the owner of the property and deals with it as principal, as owner and as master, subject only to an equitable obligation to account to some person to whom he stands in the relation of trustee, who are his cestuis que trustent.  Id. Thus, the only difference between an individual and a trustee owning property is that the trustee is also subject to an equitable obligation to account to the beneficiary. Since we allow individuals to represent their property interests in a pro se capacity, it would appear we ought to allow trustees to represent their ownership interests in property pro se as well. However, this conclusion is incorrect. It is fairly well-established that a trustee's duties in connection with his or her office do not include the right to present an argument pro se in the courts. 76 Am. Jur.2d Trusts § 606 (2005); see also C.E. Pope Equity Trust v. U.S., 818 F.2d 696, 697-98 (9th Cir.1987); Florida Bar v. Hughes, 824 So.2d 154, 155-59 (Fla.2002); Back Acres Pure Trust et al. v. Fahnlander et al., 233 Neb. 28, 443 N.W.2d 604, 605 (1989). Although a non-attorney may appear pro se on his own behalf, that privilege is personal to him. See C.E. Pope Equity Trust, 818 F.2d at 697. By representing the trust pro se, the trustee would be representing the interests of others, i.e. the beneficiaries, and would therefore be engaged in the unauthorized practice of law. 76 Am.Jur.2d Trusts § 606 (2005). In the instant case, the record is devoid of evidence showing the Andersens are the beneficial owners of the claims asserted by the trusts. [8] In fact, there is no evidence in the record verifying the existence of the trusts. Assuming the Andersens are even the trustees, they are engaging in the unauthorized practice of law in violation of I.C. § 3-410. Accordingly, we dismiss all claims the Andersens make on behalf of the Terry W. Andersen and Rosanna Andersen Living Revocable Trust and the Andersen Living Trust.