If an interested party has the right to retain an experienced Estate Litigation Attorney who can petition the court and obtain an order forcing an Agent, Executor or Trustee to file a Formal Accounting. Day-to-day, there is little fiduciary oversight. This freedom is countered by the ability for the court to obtain Formal Accounting detailing every action the fiduciary has taken. If the fiduciary cannot justify an expense or distribution the court is free to surcharge the fiduciary, forcing them to use their funds to correct the error.
A Durable General Power of Attorney gives an “Agent” power to manage assets. An interested person can force the Agent to file a Formal Accounting, explaining every action taken and justifying every expense.
Are you are an interested person who believes an Agent has abused their powers? If so, you may have your Estate Litigation Attorney file a Petition forcing the Agent to file a Formal Accounting. Once filed, the interested parties may object to the information provided. If the judge believes the Agent’s actions wrongfully reduced the estate, then the judge may surcharge the Agent. If the Agent cannot recover the funds, the Agent must replenish the estate with the Agent’s funds.
An interested beneficiary has the right to refuse to accept an Informal Accounting. Instead, the beneficiary may retain an experienced Accounting Attorney. This lawyer can force the Personal Representative to prepare, file and defend a Formal Accounting. If the Executor or Administrator has acted in a way that reduces your inheritance, the judge can surcharge the Executor. The court may order any difference made up from the Executor’s funds.
A Trust beneficiary has the right to retain an Accounting Lawyer. As a result, the beneficiary then has an advocate who will petition the court to force the Trustee to file a Formal Accounting. The Trustee must comply. The Formal Accounting must detail all assets and justify all expenses. The Accounting Attorney may then object to anything in the Formal Account. If the judge believes the Trustee’s actions reduced the trust the judge may surcharge the Trustee. If the Trustee cannot recover the funds, the Trustee must use the Trustee’s funds to pay the surcharge.
A Beneficiary may hire an Estate Litigation Attorney to defend the Beneficiary’s rights. This Attorney then represents the Beneficiary, not the Trustee or Executor.
Often estate and trust beneficiaries retain our firm to represent them, even if there is no immediate need to file a cause of action in the court. Unless you have years of experience with the rules and procedures surrounding an estate or interpreting a trust, you will likely find this area strange and confusing.
One of the strengths of our estate attorneys is the ability to explain these complex matters in a way that you will understand. We can walk you through the interpretation of a will’s terms, or the obligations under the terms of a trust. We can also help you understand the tax complexities surrounding these entities.
At times, we also find that an executor or the trustee of a trust may simply need some supervision. A letter to a executor or trustee announcing that you have retained an experienced estate litigation attorney might be all that is needed to prevent what might otherwise develop into fiduciary misconduct or even a breach of fiduciary duty.
If you have any questions about Forcing or Compelling an Accounting or any other estate law topics, please contact us to schedule a free consultation.
For more than two decades Klenk Law has focused only on Estate Law. We’ve seen it all, and this experience allows us to explain complex Estate Law and Forcing an Accounting clearly and concisely. If you would like to Compel an Accounting, our experienced Estate Litigation Attorneys will make it easy for you to understand and provide top notch representation so you can make the best decisions.
Many firms assign Estate Litigation cases to their young lawyers or a general litigator. This is not cost effective. Being that Estate Litigation is what we do, our experience allows us to focus quickly on the issues that matter. By being focused, we arrive at the most cost efficient plan. We find the solution to your problem while the others are just warming up.
While some firms litigate, few of them have whole departments focused exclusively on estate matters. At Klenk Law, our Probate Litigators have the luxury of partnering with other lawyers from our Probate or Estate Planning Departments. The depth of experience we can focus on your case is truly impressive. Whatever issue you are facing, our team has the answer.
Our breadth of experience allows us to successfully represent beneficiaries taking on lazy trustees and executors. In the same way, we are equally skilled at protecting trustees and executors from ungrateful beneficiaries. Whether you are a fiduciary, agent, guardian or beneficiary, our skills will best represent your case.
Peter Klenk is the founding member of Klenk Law, a seven attorney boutique estate planning law firm. We serve clients in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Minnesota and Florida. Peter Klenk received his Masters in Taxation LL.M. from NYU Law School and his J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School. He served his country in the Navy JAGC during Desert Storm. Easy to talk to, feel free to call Peter for an appointment. We will make the process as easy as possible!
"I worked for Peter Klenk for 4 wonderful years. I can’t speak highly enough of everyone at the firm. Everyone truly cares about their clients and has a strong sense of responsibility to get things done right. I would highly recommend Klenk Law!"
Flora Novick
My wife and I were thoroughly satisfied. We had very clear explanations of complicated subjects.
Peters' firm has prepared and updated our Wills and Trusts for the last 15 to 20 years. They know the law and help with your decision making to use the law to your best advantage. Response time to your requests is very reasonable, and final reviews and signing is executed in a timely manor with a thorough coverage of the documents. Our most recent updates to our Wills & Trusts were somewhat complicated, in our opinion, but Peter and his staff handled them effortlessly. As you can tell from this review Peter Klenk's firm is top notch.
Been a long term customer of Klenk Law. Wills and Trusts are so important and that is their strength! They are hyper responsive to any question you may have, and you are always treated well. I feel like a part of their family when there. I feel very valued as well. Give them a try!
Transparent approach and pricing, with prompt and professional response. They understand the various sensitivities of estate planning. Cannot recommend the firm more highly., go with Klenk
I highly recommend this firm. Jackie was a pleasure to work with. I left there’s well educated and had all my questions answered.
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