What is the name of your state? Michigan
Mother passed Sept '04 (father in '96). Four adult children currently residing in Michigan. Eldest is successor trustee. Trust states assets to be divided equally among the four.
There is much distrust between children. Primarily #1/#2 in deep communication - basically vulture/scavengers with parent's belongings. This was practiced in '97 when mother's last living sibling passed. Caused extremely bad feelings between mother and #1/#2. #1 became two-faced to remain in good standing. #2 excommunicated herself with mother & #4. She had no favorable relationship with #3 since childhood. #3/#4 remain in favorable communication. #2 re-entered the picture with #4 and mother one week before mother passed.
Question: can successor trustee (ST) sign mother's auto over to herself without distributing 1/4 value of auto to other three siblings? THis was done in Oct. ST states she will reduce her monetary award by the amount of the car when the estate settles.
Question: ST determined she would distribute assets according to sentimental value/desire -- and each could "negotiate" with other items if one particular item was desired by more than one. Is there any way to force appraisal/inventory of items after she has begun distributing them?
Question: can ST declare #3 will receive no personal property if she fails to show up on a given "distribution day". #3 could not arrange that day off work. She came at end of day & asked to see what items the other three had "taken" -- #4 obliged, #1 & #2 ignored her.
Question: Should #3 receive a similar amount (other property or $$) since she wasn't included in above-mentioned distribution day?
Question: ST & #2 declared #3 & #4 would have their shares reduced because mother gave them items from a storage unit 1 week before her death. These are items both #1 & #2 desired, but by scavenging other items from uncle's household in '97 - mother determined the remaining furniture should go to #3 & #4. They were kept in storage until 1 week prior to mother's death - when she asked #4 to place them in #4's basement. Is this legal? Weren't these gifts prior to her death, so no longer part of her estate?
Question: Since no inventory of items in household was made, it is difficult to claim #1 & #2 have removed many items prior to "distribution days" - but many items are in fact missing. What recourse do #3 & #4 have to request those items be brought back?
Thank you...many more questions. Do you have suggestion where to find on-line answers? Yes, I know I should hire an atty ~ lack of funds at this time precludes me from doing so.
Mother passed Sept '04 (father in '96). Four adult children currently residing in Michigan. Eldest is successor trustee. Trust states assets to be divided equally among the four.
There is much distrust between children. Primarily #1/#2 in deep communication - basically vulture/scavengers with parent's belongings. This was practiced in '97 when mother's last living sibling passed. Caused extremely bad feelings between mother and #1/#2. #1 became two-faced to remain in good standing. #2 excommunicated herself with mother & #4. She had no favorable relationship with #3 since childhood. #3/#4 remain in favorable communication. #2 re-entered the picture with #4 and mother one week before mother passed.
Question: can successor trustee (ST) sign mother's auto over to herself without distributing 1/4 value of auto to other three siblings? THis was done in Oct. ST states she will reduce her monetary award by the amount of the car when the estate settles.
Question: ST determined she would distribute assets according to sentimental value/desire -- and each could "negotiate" with other items if one particular item was desired by more than one. Is there any way to force appraisal/inventory of items after she has begun distributing them?
Question: can ST declare #3 will receive no personal property if she fails to show up on a given "distribution day". #3 could not arrange that day off work. She came at end of day & asked to see what items the other three had "taken" -- #4 obliged, #1 & #2 ignored her.
Question: Should #3 receive a similar amount (other property or $$) since she wasn't included in above-mentioned distribution day?
Question: ST & #2 declared #3 & #4 would have their shares reduced because mother gave them items from a storage unit 1 week before her death. These are items both #1 & #2 desired, but by scavenging other items from uncle's household in '97 - mother determined the remaining furniture should go to #3 & #4. They were kept in storage until 1 week prior to mother's death - when she asked #4 to place them in #4's basement. Is this legal? Weren't these gifts prior to her death, so no longer part of her estate?
Question: Since no inventory of items in household was made, it is difficult to claim #1 & #2 have removed many items prior to "distribution days" - but many items are in fact missing. What recourse do #3 & #4 have to request those items be brought back?
Thank you...many more questions. Do you have suggestion where to find on-line answers? Yes, I know I should hire an atty ~ lack of funds at this time precludes me from doing so.