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RESPONDENT JOYCE M. ASHLEYS RESPONSE TO PETITION

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RUTH C. ROSE, Esq. SBN 145887
433 North Camden Dr!e, S"te #$$
Be!er%& H%%s, Ca%'orna, ($)1$
*hone +, -3)3. 458/31$7
0a1+, -888. #4(/17)$
2ttorne& 'or Res3ondent
4o&5e 6. 2sh%e&
SU*ER7OR COURT O0 THE ST2TE O0 C2870ORN72
0OR THE COUNT9 O0 8OS 2N:E8ES
*ettoner see;s to ha!e ths 5o"rt s"s3end the 3o<ers o' Res3ondent as tr"stee,
3endn= an n!est=aton, >e5a"se the Res3ondent >rea5hed her 'd"5ar& d"t& to the tr"st
>& ha!n= an m3ro3er 5on'%5t o' nterest 3"rs"ant to *C Se5ton 1#$$4, 'a%"re to 3reser!e
tr"st 3ro3ert& 3"rs"ant to *C Se5ton 1#$$# and 'a%"re to 3ro!de n'ormaton to the
>ene'5ares 3"rs"ant to *C se5ton 1#$#$.
0or ret"rn and ans<er to the 3etton '%ed 'or her remo!a% and 'or s"s3enson o' her
3o<ers, 3ersona% re3resentat!e o' the estate o' BERTR26 T298OR, SR. and EU82872
7n Re,
RE?OC2B8E TRUST O0 BERTR26
T29OR, SR. 2ND EU82872 ?. T298OR.
De5eased
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*2TR7C72 2. T298OR, BERTR26
T298OR, 4r and 62R:2RET AH7TE
*ettoners,
!s.
4O9CE 6. 2SH8E9,
Res3ondent
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Case No., R7* 14$$173
RESPONDENT JOYCE M. ASHLEY
RESPONSE TO PETITION
[Prob. Code 8500, 8502]
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RESPONDENT JOYCE M. ASHLEYS RESPONSE TO PETITION
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?. T298OR de5eased, denes, and a%%e=es,
I.
STATEMENT O ACTS
Ah%e *ettoners statement o' 'a5ts re'%e5ts 5ertan tr"e 'a5ts, those that the& assert as
=ro"nd 'or ths 3etton s not a55"rate.
Res3ondent 4o&5e 2sh%e& and *atr5a 2. Ta&%or, Bertram Ta&%or, 4R. and 6ar=aret
Ahte are the ser!n= 5h%dren o' Bertram Ta&%or, Sr. and E"%a8a ?. Ta&%or.
*ettoners <are named as three o' the 'o"r s"55essor 5o/tr"stees and >ene'5ares
o' The Bertram Ta&%or, Sr. 2nd E"%a%a ?. Ta&%or Re!o5a>%e Tr"st, Dated 4an"ar& $8, 1((8
-herena'ter, BThe 1((8 Tr"stB. . 2 5o3& o' The 1((8 Tr"st s atta5hed as E1h>t 2.
Res3ondent, 4O9CE 6. 2SH8E9, s a%so a 5h%d o' BERTR26 T298OR,
SR. and EU82872 ?. T298OR and <as a%so named as the 'o"rth >ene'5ar& o' The 1((8
Tr"st.
EU82872 ?. T298OR ded d"rn= 4"%& 3, )$13. On 2"="st )), )$13, a
restatement o' The Tr"st -herena'ter, Bthe )$13 Tr"stB. <as s=ned >& BERTR26
T298OR, SR. 2 5o3& o' the )$13 Tr"st s atta5hed as E1h>t B.
Con5"rrent <th the )$13 Tr"st, the de5edent e1e5"ted a 8ast A%% and Testament.
2 5o3& o' sad A%% s atta5hed as E1h>t C.
7n the %ast <%% and testament o' Bertram Ta&%or, Sr., the De5edent attest to >en= o'
so"nd and ds3osn= mnd and memor& and not a5tn= "nder the 'ra"d, d"ress, mena5e or "nd"e
n'%"en5e, n the C0rst C%a"se C o' the <%% De5edent e13ress%& re!o;ed an& and a%% other <%%s
and de5de to <%%s e1e5"ted >& hm.
BERTR26 T298OR, SR ded Se3tem>er )5, )$13. 2t the tme o' hs death, he
<as a resdent o' the 5t& and 5o"nt& o' R!ersde, Ca%'orna.
Ea5h o' the *ettoners <as hers at %a< and >ene'5ares o' the estate o' the
de5eased, n the1((8 Tr"st. The terms o' the )$13 Tr"st nd5ate three 5han=es, -1.
De5edentDs resden5e %o5ated at )$$ E. 2%essandro B%!d. +)8, R!ersde, C2. s to >e
dstr>"ted so%e%& to Res3ondentE -). De5edentDs renta% 3ro3ert& %o5ated at )$3 E. 13#
th
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RESPONDENT JOYCE M. ASHLEYS RESPONSE TO PETITION
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Street, 8os 2n=e%es, C2 s to >e dstr>"ted to Res3ondentDs sonE and -3. Res3ondent s to
ser!e a%one as the 'rst s"55essor tr"stee.
Res3ondent 5ontend that :%o>a% Estate Ser!5es, 7n5. 3re3ared the )$13 Tr"st and the
De5edent <as 3resent and that a%% 3ro!son o' the )$13 tr"st <as ds5"ssed <th de5edent >& the
tr"st 3re3arer >e'ore De5edent s=ned the )$13 Tr"st. That De5edent "nderstood the 3ro!son
o' the )$13 Tr"stE
The De5edent dd not s"''er a stro;e 1$ &ears a=o as 5%amed >& *ettoner and dd not
s"''er 'rom *ar;nson Dseased at the tme he e1e5"ted the )$13 A%% and the )$13 Tr"st.
Res3ondent dstr>"ted to a%% >ene'5ares as to the 3ro!sons o' the )$13 tr"st 3er
de5edentDs <shes
*ettoners do not ha!e standn= to >rn= ths 3etton >e5a"se no 3ettoner <%%
>ene't >& a F"d5a% determnaton that the )$13 tr"st s !a%d, there>& 5a"sn= de5edentDs
assets to >e dstr>"ted 3"rs"ant to the terms o' thereo'.
Res3ondent req"ests ths 5o"rt to ho%d !a%d the )$13 tr"st >e5a"se at the tme o'
ts e1e5"ton, de5edent <as o' so"nd mnd and the )$13 tr"st <as e1e5"ted as a dre5t res"%t
o' De5edentGs 'ree <%%.
D"rn= the month o' O5to>er )$$7 De5edents 3"r5hased a 5ondomn"m n the 5t& o'
R!ersde Ca%'orna. 2t that tme the& %!ed n a 4 >edroom ) >aths home that the& o<ned,
and mo!ed to the ) >edroom ) >ath 5ondomn"ms. There <as 5onsdera>%e do<nsHn= o'
3ersona% >e%on=n=s. 2'ter the ho"sn= 5rash o' )$$8 the 5ondo <as "nder<ater. De5edents
o<ed more mone& on the mort=a=e than the 5ondo <as <orth. 7n the &ear )$1$ har3 >e5ame
a!a%a>%e to home o<ners <th mort=a=e "nder<ater. 7t <as not "nt% )$1) that De5edents
5o"%d q"a%'& 'or re'nan5n= <th the ho3e o' %o<ern= the nterest rate 'rom #.1 to 4.3( t <as
then that De5edents had a ds5"sson a>o"t Res3ondent attann= 3o<er o' attorne& to he%3
na!=ate the %oan 3ro5ess. 2t the tme o' Res3ondent motherGs death a%% o' ther assets <ere
'roHen. Res3ondent 3arents had no %'e ns"ran5e. Res3ondentGs 3o<er o' attorne& d"tes
5eased. The se!en &ears that Res3ondent 3arents %!ed n the 5ondomn"m dd *ettoners
req"est a ;e& to the resden5e at )$$ E. 2%essandro >%!d +)8 there <as ne!er an& req"est to
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RESPONDENT JOYCE M. ASHLEYS RESPONSE TO PETITION
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enter the home to ether n!entor& assets or o>tan 3ersona% 3ro3ert&. Res3ondent ne!er
mo!ed o"t o' her home. She %!ed aro"nd the 5orner 'rom the De5edents as dd *ettoner
6ar=aret Ahte. Res3ondent >e=an to s3end more tme <th De5edents as the& a=ed.
7t had >een de5ded >e'ore Res3ondent motherGs death that she and
Res3ondentGsI 'ather <o"%d not >e attendn= ther =randda"=hters <eddn=. Res3ondent
mother ded on 4"%& 3 )$13 the <eddn= <as on the 5 o' 4"%&.
There s a mort=a=e on the 5ondo and the entre 3ro5eeds 'rom the rent 'rom the ho"se
<ere de3osted nto the de5edentGs >an; a55o"nt. 0rom O5to>er )$$7 the month%& 3a&ment on
the 5ondo <as J14(7.15 and the Home O<nerGs 2sso5aton J)38 a month. 2'ter the
re'nan5n= o' the 5ondo the month%& 3a&ment on the 5ondo <as 1)45.17 and the Home
O<nerGs 2sso5aton <as )#1 a month. Res3ondent 3arents %e't 187,$$$.$$ n a tr"st amo"nt
<h5h <ere d!ded eq"a%%& amon= the *ettoners.
*ettoners ;ne< <hen the& s=ned ths 3etton on 11()$14 the& had re5e!ed a%%
3ro5eeds d"e 'rom o"r dadGs 3enson. 2s o' 4)$)$14, Res3ondent has 5ontn"ed to 3a& the
mort=a=e on and the Home O<nerGs 2sso5aton month%& 'ees on >oth 3ro3ertes, and 5ar
<h5h s 3ar;ed n s3a5e nsde the =ated 5om3%e1, the =ardener, and the <ater >%%. .
II.
DECEDENT HAD CAPACITY TO SI!N THE 20"# TR$ST
Res3ondent den& 3ettonersG a%%e=aton that de5edent %a5;ed 5a3a5t& to s=n the
)$13 Tr"st and a%%e=es,
Res3ondent restate that the )$13 Tr"st remo!ed *ettoners as >ene'5ares as
to the )$$ E. 2%essandro B%!d. +)8, R!ersde, Ca%'orna 3ro3ert& and the )$3 E.
13#
th
St., 8os 2n=%es, Ca%'orna 3ro3ert& on%&. That an& and a%% other 3ro!son o' the
)$13 Tr"st that a%%o<s 'or dstr>"ton o' de5edentGs estate to the 3ettoner <as
3re'ormed. *ettonersG ar="ment thro"=ho"t the 3etton seems rest on 5ontentons
that the )$13 tr"st s n!a%d. Ho<e!er, the& on%& asserted t<o a%%e=atons that address
the !a%dt& o' the )$13 Tr"st. See *=s. 8 and ( o' 3etton.
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0rst, the 3etton a%%e=es that the De5edent %a5;ed 5a3a5t& to s=n the )$13
Tr"st, ho<e!er, the& ha!e not made ths a%%e=aton as to the )$13 A%%. *ettoners
ar="es that <hen the )$13 Tr"st <as e1e5"ted, de5edent dd not ha!e s"''5ent menta%
5a3a5t& to 1. "nderstand the nat"re o' des5endantGs a5tons n e1e5"tn= the )$13
Tr"st, ). "nderstand and re5o%%e5t the nat"re and st"aton o' de5edentGs 3ro3ert&, or 3.
remem>er and "nderstand de5edentGs re%atons to de5edentGs 'am%& mem>er.
*ettoners ha!e n5orre5t%& assert three e!ents to s"33ort ther 3oston, 'rst, that
de5edent, a33ro1mate%& 1$ &ears a=o s"''ered a stro;e, se5ond, that De5edent had *ar;nsonGs
dsease, <h5h %e't hm "na>%e to dr!e hs 5ar and that de5edentGs memor& <as a%so e1treme%&
<ea;, to the e1tent he dd not ;no< hs 'am%& >"t on%& mentoned one nd!d"a% he dd not
remem>er.
Res3ondent 5ontends that the De5edent has ne!er s"''ered a stro;e and that De5edent
has ne!er >een da=noses <th *ar;nsonGs dsease.
7n Andersen v. Hunt , 1(# Ca%. 233. 4th 7)) -)$11. , the sett%or -BAa&neB. had esta>%shed
a 'am%& tr"st <th hs 'rst <'e that named ther 5h%dren as so%e remander >ene'5ares.
Aa&neDs <'e ded and Aa&ne de!e%o3ed a re%atonsh3 <th B*a"%ne.B Aa&ne then had a
sero"s stro;e. Therea'ter Aa&ne amended hs tr"st 'o"r tmes, 5han=ed the >ene'5ar&
des=natons 'or hs %'e ns"ran5e, and o3ened Font >an; a55o"nts <th *a"%ne. These a5tons
res"%ted n 3ro!dn= *a"%ne <th a maFort& o' Aa&neDs estate "3on Aa&neDs death. Aa&neDs
5h%dren then so"=ht to n!a%date the do5"ments he had s=ned a'ter hs stro;e, on the =ro"nds
that he %a5;ed the req"ste menta% 5a3a5t& <hen he e1e5"ted them.
The a33e%%ate 5o"rt n Andersen dd not a33%& the 5ontra5t"a% 5a3a5t& standard o'
Se5ton 81) to the tr"st amendments. The 5o"rt he%d that a sett%orGs 5a3a5t& to e1e5"te a tr"st
nstr"ment sho"%d >e e!a%"ated "nder the -%o<er. testamentar& 5a3a5t& standard o' Se5ton
#1$$.5 ' the re5ord esta>%shes that the tr"st nstr"ment <as sm%ar n ts 5ontent and 5om3%e1t&
to a <%% or 5od5%. 7n ths 5ase, Aa&neDs tr"st amendments had mere%& 5han=ed the 3er5enta=es
o' the >ene'5ares o' hs tr"st, >& de5reasn= hs 5h%drenDs share n 'a!or o' *a"%ne. Be5a"se o'
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the amendmentsD Bsm3%5t& and testamentar& nat"re,B the 5o"rt 'o"nd that the amendments <ere
Bndstn="sha>%e 'rom a <%% or 5od5%.B
7n Andersen the 5o"rt noted the <e%% esta>%shed 3rn53%e that Co%d a=e or 'or=et'"%ness,
e55entr5tes or menta% 'ee>%eness or 5on'"son at !aro"s tmes o' a 3art& ma;n= a <%% are not
eno"=h n themse%!es to <arrant a ho%dn= that the testator %a5;ed testamentar& 5a3a5t&. Estate
o' A&nn -1(##. )3( Ca%. 233.)d 3#(, 374, 5tn= Estate o' Sanderson -1(5(. 171 Ca%. 233.)d
#51, ##$.
III.
RESPONDENT DID NOT $SE $ND$E INL$ENCE TO COERCE DECEDENT TO
SI!N THE 20"# TR$ST
Res3ondent den& 3ettonersG a%%e=aton that the )$13 Tr"st s the dre5t res"%t o'
"nd"e n'%"en5e and a%%e=es Res3ondent nether trans5r>es the )$13 A%% nor the )$13
Tr"st.
*ettoners ha!e not asserted 'a5ts s"''5ent to s"33ort the a%%e=aton o' "nd"e n'%"en5e.
Co"rts are on the <ho%e re%"5tant to dst"r> the ds3oston o' a <%% a'ter the testator has ded. 2t
%east three reasons ha!e >een ad!an5ed s"33ortn= the san5tt& o' <%%s. 0rst, the 5o"rts
re5o=nHe that an nd!d"a% ma& ds3ose o' hs or her 3ro3ert& as he or she sees 't, ether
"nF"st%& and "n'ar%& or <th F"st5e or <th 'arness. Se5ond, the 5entra% 'a5t"a% <tness and
o'tentmes on%& <tness to the testatorDs ntent are not a!a%a>%e 'or tra% // he or she s dead.
Thrd, F"res, ' =!en the o33ort"nt&, <o"%d rema;e man& <%%s a55ordn= to ther o<n
sense o' a F"st dstr>"ton, <h5h ma& not re'%e5t the testatorDs a5t"a% <shes. S3e5'5a%%&, the
5o"rts are 5on5erned 3rmar%& <th the menta% state o' the testator at the 3re5se moment the <%%
<as >en= s=ned. Und"e n'%"en5e m"st ha!e >een e1erted at that moment. The e''e5t o' the
"nd"e n'%"en5e m"st ha!e >een to o!er3o<er the mnd and the <%% o' the testator at the tme the
<%% <as made. The "nd"e n'%"en5e m"st ha!e >een s"5h that t n 'a5t 3rod"5ed the ds3oston
o' the <%%, there>& e15%"s!e%& e13ressn= the ntent o' the one e1ertn= the n'%"en5e. 7t m"st
a%so >e esta>%shed that the testator <o"%d not ha!e made s"5h a dstr>"ton o' assets >"t 'or the
"nd"e n'%"en5e.
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RESPONDENT JOYCE M. ASHLEYS RESPONSE TO PETITION
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*ettoners 3onts to t<o 'a5ts 'or ths asserton, ho<e!er none amo"nt to the "se o'
"nd"e n'%"en5e. The 3etton a%%e=es that res3ondentGs 5onta5t <th the 5om3an& <h5h
3re3ared the 1((8 Tr"st to 3re3are the )$13 Tr"st amo"nted to "nd"e n'%"en5e n ha!n=
de5edent s=n the )$13 Tr"st.
The a5t o' "nd"e n'%"en5e s rare%& <tnessedE there'ore, the 5ommon st"aton s one
<here "nd"e n'%"en5e s 3ro!en >& 5r5"mstanta% e!den5e. Co"rts req"re s">stanta% e!den5e
to "3set a testatorDs <rtten <%%. ?aro"s %sts o' 'a5tors ha!e >een dra<n n n"mero"s 5ases. 2
5onsens"s o' 5ases <o"%d %st the 'o%%o<n= 'a5tors, -1. "nnat"ra% ds3oston, -). o33ort"nt& to
e1ert the "nd"e n'%"en5e, -3. s"s5e3t>%t&, and -4. a5t!t& o' >ene'5ares n 3ro5"rn= the
<%%.
0rst, unnatural disposition s ta;en to mean that Bstran=ers,B that s, "nre%ated 3artes,
re5e!e the >ene'ts o' the <%% to the e15%"son o' >%ood re%atons, or that one 5h%d re5e!es the
>"%; o' the >eq"est <h%e others o' eq"a%%& 5%ose re%aton re5e!e %tt%e or nothn=.
Se5ond, opportunity means that re%atons e1sted >et<een the 5he' >ene'5ares and the
de5edent that a''orded the >ene'5ares an o33ort"nt& to 5ontro% the testamentar& a5t.
Thrd, susceptibility means that the de5edentDs menta% andKor 3h&s5a% 5ondton <as s"5h
that t %e't hm or her s"s5e3t>%e to the "nd"e n'%"en5e and domnaton o' others.
0o"rth, activity means that the 5he' >ene'5ares <ere a5t!e n 3ro5"rn= the <%%,
so%atn= the testator 'rom hs or her 'am%&, or 3re!entn= the testator 'rom o>tann=
nde3endent %e=a% ad!5e.
The 5om>naton o' these 'o"r 'a5tors 3resent at the same tme has >een 'o"nd s"''5ent.
None o' these 'a5tors a%one s s"''5ent to s"33ort a 'ndn= o' "nd"e n'%"en5e. 0or e1am3%e,
mere o33ort"nt& to n'%"en5e e!en <hen there s a mot!e s not s"''5ent 'or an n'eren5e that
s"5h n'%"en5e <as n 'a5t e1erted. *ro!n= the testator <as 3art5"%ar%& s"s5e3t>%e s a%most
a%<a&s ne5essar&. 7n 5ases <here "nd"e n'%"en5e has >een 'o"nd, the testator n!ara>%& has
s"''ered 'rom a <ea;ened 3h&s5a% 5ondton or 3s&5ho%o=5a% !"%nera>%t&. Ths <ea;ness or
!"%nera>%t& a33ears to >e the 'o"ndaton o' '"rther 3roo' that there <as m3ro3er 3ers"ason or
a5t!t& that s">!erted the <%% o' the testator.
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2 5ommon 3attern n 5ases <hen "nd"e n'%"en5e s 'o"nd s -a. a 3h&s5a%%& <ea; or
3s&5ho%o=5a%%& !"%nera>%e testator to=ether <th ->. a5t!e 3art53aton n the 3ro5"rn= o' a
<%% >& the >ene'5ar& and -5. "nnat"ra% 3ro'ts >& the >ene'5ar&.
I%.
S$SPENSION O TR$STEE PO&ERS
*ettoner see;s to ha!e ths 5o"rt s"s3end the 3o<ers o' Res3ondent as tr"stee,
3endn= an n!est=aton, >e5a"se the Res3ondent >rea5hed her 'd"5ar& d"t& to the tr"st
>& ha!n= an m3ro3er 5on'%5t o' nterest 3"rs"ant to *C Se5ton 1#$$4, 'a%"re to 3reser!e
tr"st 3ro3ert& 3"rs"ant to *C Se5ton 1#$$# and 'a%"re to 3ro!de n'ormaton to the
>ene'5ares 3"rs"ant to *C se5ton 1#$#$.
0or ret"rn and ans<er to 3etton '%ed 'or her s"s3enson o' 3o<ers and to the
5taton ss"ed thereon, 4o&5e 6. 2sh%e&, 3ersona% re3resentat!e o' the estate o'
BERTR26 T928OR SR. 2ND EU82872 !. T298OR, de5eased, denes and a%%e=es,
Res3ondent denes that she has >rea5hed her 'd"5ar& d"t& to the tr"st >& ha!n= an
m3ro3er 5on'%5t o' nterest 3"rs"ant to *C Se5ton 1#$$4, 'a%"re to 3reser!e tr"st 3ro3ert&
3"rs"ant to *C Se5ton 1#$$# and 'a%"re to 3ro!de n'ormaton to the >ene'5ares
3"rs"ant to *C se5ton 1#$#$.
Res3ondent s3e5'5a%%& denes that she has dea%t <th the tr"est 3ro3ert& 'or her o<n
3ro't or 'or an& other 3"r3ose "n5onne5ted <th the nether tr"st, nor ha!e she ta;en n an&
transa5ton n <h5h the tr"stee has an nterest ad!erse to an& o' the *ettoners.
Res3ondent 5ontends as to the re!o5a>%e tr"st she o<ed no d"t& to the >ene'5ares
d"rn= the sett%erGs %'etmeE Res3ondentGs %a5; o' d"t& to >ene'5ares d"rn= the sett%erGs
%'etme dd not retroa5t!e%& 5han=e a'ter the sett%erGs death. The %a< 3ro!des that <hen an
nd!d"a% 5reates a tr"st don= hs or her %'etme, he or she reser!es the r=ht to re!o;e the
tr"st, or 5reate an amendment to t, or re!se a tr"st >& restatement.
The sett%er "nder so"nd mnd re!sed or amended the 1((8 tr"st >& the Restated )$13
Tr"st. *ettoner has not 3ro!ded ths 5o"rt or res3ondent <th e!den5e that the state o'
mnd o' the sett%er <as m3ared that <o"%d s"33ort s"s3enson o' her tr"steeGs 3o<ers.
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Ths <o"%d >e 5onsstent <th the 3rn53%es 3ro!ded 'or >& Ca%'. *ro>. Code Se5ton
158$$.
Ca%'. *ro>. Code Se5ton 158$$ 3ro!des,
CE15e3t to the e1tent that the tr"st nstr"ment other<se 3ro!desL, d"rn= the
%'etme that a tr"st s re!o5a>%e and the 3erson ho%dn= the 3o<er to re!o;e the tr"st s
5om3etent,
C-a. The 3erson ho%dn= the 3o<er to re!o;e and not the >ene'5ar&, has the r=hts a''orded
>ene'5ares "nder ths d!son,
C->. The d"tes o' the tr"stee are o<ed to the 3erson ho%dn= the 3o<er to re!o;e.
The1((8 re!o5a>%e Tr"st 3ro!des n se5ton 1.$# 'or the sett%erGs a"thort& to 5reate
a restatement o' hs re!o5a>%e tr"st th"s, the )$13 Tr"st s a !a%d nstr"ment. Ahat
*ettoners ha!e 'a%ed to 3%a5e n ther 3etton s the 'a5t that >oth, BERTR26 T298OR
SR. and EU82872 ?. T298OR, on 4"%& 5, )$1), s=ned a :enera% *o<er o' 2ttorne& that
do5"ment names Res3ondent as the attorne&/n/'a5t. See E1. D. The 3o<er o' attorne& =rants
the attorne&/n/'a5t the a"thort& to a5t as the 3rn53a%Ds a=ent <th res3e5t to a%% matters,
n5%"dn= the Ba"thort& 'or estate transa5tons and Ba%% other matters
E"%a%a ?. Ta&%or ded d"rn= 4"%& 3, )$13. Res3ondent a%%e=es that therea'ter at the
dre5ton o' Bertram Ta&%or Sr., she <as to ad n ha!n= !aro"s do5"ments 3re3ared 'or
Bertram Ta&%or Sr.E ths n5%"ded the 2''da!t o' Death o' Tr"stee o' E"%a%a ?. Ta&%orE the
2''da!t o' Death o' 4ont TennantE the 8ast A%% and Testament o' BERTR26 T298OR
SRE and the )$13 Tr"st. The :enera% *o<er o' 2ttorne& =a!e Res3ondent "n%mted 3o<er
and a"thort& to a5t on >eha%' and 'or BERTR26 T298OR SR, and res3ondentGs a5ts dd
not >rea5h an& 'd"5a%%& d"tes o<ed to the 1((8 Tr"st or the )$13 Tr"st.
Here, *ettonersG see;s to renstate themse%!es as >ene'5ares to the 1((8 Tr"st >&
ha!n= the )$13 Tr"st he%d !od. 2s stated a>o!e res3ondent had no d"t& to *ettoners as
to the rea% 3ro3ert&
*ettoner req"est n the 3etton 'or s"s3enson o' res3ondentGs tr"stee 3o<ers
sho"%d >e dened. *ettoners ha!e not demonstrated that the )$13 Tr"st s not !a%d.
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%.
POTENTIAL OR LOSS OR INJ$RY TO TR$ST PROPERTY
Res3ondent den& 3et t onersG a% % e=at on t hat she s remo!n= tr"st assets
'rom the de5edentDs resden5e and ether se%%n= or other<se ds3osn= o' the 3ersona%
3ro3ert& <tho"t ether ta;n= n!entor& or 3reser!n= the sa%e 3ro5eeds 'or the tr"st
>ene'5ares.
Res3ondent den& 3et t oner s G a% % e =at on t hat s he s 5o%%e5tn= the rent
that s 3a&a>%e >& the o55"3ant o' the tr"stDs renta% 3ro3ert& %o5ated at )$3 E. 13#th Street,
8os 2n=e%es, C2 and not de3ostn= the '"nds nto the tr"st >an ; a55o"nt. The 3ro3ert&
has >een a renta% 3ro3ert& sn5e )$$7 and the month%& rent s a33ro1mate%& J1,)$$.There
s no mort=a=e on the 3ro3ert&, so the entre rent 3ro5eeds <ere de3osted nto the
de5edentDs >an; a55o"nt, "nt% hs death.
Res3ondent reterate that she o<es no d"t& to 3ettoners as to the rea% 3ro3ert& 3er the
)$13 Tr"st.
%I.
'REACH O D$TY O LOYALTY
*ettoners a%%e=e that Res3ondent has >rea5hed her d"t& o' %o&a%t&. The 3etton o''ers
!er& %tt%e n the <a& o' s"''5ent 'a5ts that 5o"%d s"33ort ths 5%am.
One o' the =ro"nd o''ered to s"33ort ths 5%am, s Res3ondentGs a%%e=ed arran=ement C'or
the 1((8 Tr"st to >e restated mmedate%& a'ter the death o' the 'rst sett%er and nstr"5tn= the
dra'ter o' the Tr"st to remo!e *ettonersG 'rom nhertn= the rea% 3ro3ert& o' the Tr"st. -7d. 3=.
11 o' *et... Se5ond%&, *ettoners seems to a%%e=e that Res3ondent >rea5hed d"t& o' %o&a%t& <hen
she dd not 'o%%o< the terms o' the 1((8 Tr"st and that Res3ondent "t%Hed "nd"e n'%"en5e to
5oer5e the de5edent to 5han=e the 1((8 Tr"st. *ettoner ha!e 5ted Estate of Gump -1((1. 1
Ca%.233.4th 58), #$1, ) Ca%.R3tr.)d )#(, n s"33ort o' ther ar="ment, ho<e!er, that 5ase d''ers
'rom the ss"es 3resented n the nstant matter.
7n :"m3, s"3ra, Ae%%s 0or=o o<ed the >ene'5ares a d"t& to admnstrate renta%
3ro3ert& and to mantan 3ro3ert& a55o"ntn=. :"m3 s a%so dstn="sha>%e n that the man
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ss"es n!o%!e dea%t <th attorne&Gs 'ees and 'ees asso5ated <th the tr"stee admnstraton o' the
renta% 3ro3ert&. Here n the nstant 5ase, Res3ondent o<es no d"t& to the 3ettoners as to the
rea% 3ro3ert& "nder the )$13 Tr"st. Res3ondent ar="es that d"t& o' %o&a%t& req"res the
*ettoner to sho< that the Res3ondent o55"3ed a 3oston o' tr"st or 'd"5ar& re%atonsh3 and
that the Res3ondent >rea5hed that d"t& to >ene't 3ersona%%&.
C7n 5onstr"n= tr"st nstr"ments, as n the 5onstr"5ton and nter3retaton o' a%%
do5"ments, the d"t& o' the 5o"rt s to 'rst as5ertan and then, ' 3oss>%e, =!e e''e5t to the ntent
o' the ma;er.M -Estate of Gump -1(4$. 1# Ca%.)d 535, 548, 1$7 *.)d 17E see Ephraim v.
Metropolitan Trust Co. of Cal. -1(4#. )8 Ca%.)d 8)4, 834, 17) *.)d 5$1 NCthe 3rmar& r"%e n
5onstr"5ton o' tr"sts s that the 5o"rt m"st, ' 3oss>%e, as5ertan and e''e5t"ate the ntenton o'
the tr"stor or sett%erMOE Crook v. Contreras -)$$). (5 Ca%.233.4th 11(4, 1)$5, 11# Ca%.R3tr.)d
31(NsameO.. CThe nter3retaton o' a <rtten nstr"ment, e!en tho"=h t n!o%!es <hat m=ht
3ro3er%& >e 5a%%ed q"estons o' 'a5t N5tatonO, s essenta%%& a F"d5a% '"n5ton to >e e1er5sed
a55ordn= to the =enera%%& a55e3ted 5anons o' nter3retaton so that the 3"r3oses o' the
nstr"ment ma& >e =!en e''e5t. NCtatons.O E1trns5 e!den5e s admss>%e to nter3ret the
nstr"ment, >"t not to =!e t a meann= to <h5h t s not reasona>%& s"s5e3t>%e N5tatonsO, and
t s the nstr"ment tse%' that m"st >e =!en e''e5t. NCtatons.O 7t s there'ore so%e%& a F"d5a%
'"n5ton to nter3ret a <rtten nstr"ment "n%ess the nter3retaton t"rns "3on the 5red>%t& o'
e1trns5 e!den5e.... 2n a33e%%ate 5o"rt s not >o"nd >& a 5onstr"5ton o' the 5ontra5t >ased
so%e%& "3on the terms o' the <rtten nstr"ment <tho"t the ad o' e!den5e N5tatonsO, <here
there s no 5on'%5t n the e!den5e N5tatonsO, or a determnaton has >een made "3on
n5om3etent e!den5e N5tatonO. NCtatons.OM -Parsons v. Bristol evelopment Co. -1(#5. #)
Ca%.)d 8#1, 8#5P8##, 44 Ca%.R3tr. 7#7, 4$) *.)d 83(..
Res3ondent ar="e that *ettoners >& these a%%e=aton see;s to remo!e the de5edentGs
a"thort& to re!o;e the 1((8 Tr"st. None o' the *ettonersG a%%e=atons s"33ort ths 3etton 'or
s"s3enson and or remo!a% o' Res3ondent as tr"stee.
%II.
'REACH O D$TY 'Y $SIN! TR$ST PROPERTY OR HER O&N 'ENEIT
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*ettonersG a%%e=atons as to ths 5%am are "n'o"nded and not s"33orted >& s"''5ent
'a5ts. *ettoners 5ontend that Res3ondent has >rea5hed her 'd"5ar& d"t& as tr"stee to the tr"st
n !o%aton o' *C se5tons 1#$$4.
Res3ondent reterate that she o<es no d"t& to 3ettoners as to the rea% 3ro3ert& 3er the
)$13 Tr"st. *ettoner has 5ontested the )$13 Tr"st, >"t has 'a%ed to address the )$13 A%%.
6oreo!er, ths ss"e rests on the q"eston o' <hether the )$13 Tr"st s he%d !a%d or n!a%d.
AHERE0ORE, Res3ondent req"est,
1. The 5o"rt denes the 3etton.
). That 5o"rt den& s"s3endn= the 3o<ers o' Res3ondent
3. That the 5o"rt 'nds that Res3ondent sho"%d not >e remo!ed as Tr"stee >e5a"se o'
3ro!son o' the )$13 as t re%ate to dstr>"ton o' the estate ha!e >een 5arred o"t as to
a%% >ene'5ares 3er the De5edent <shes.
4. That *ettoner >ear the 5ost o' attorne& 'ees and 5o"rt 5osts n5"rred >& ths a5ton.
Dated ths )3
rd
da& o' 23r% )$14 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
4o&5e 6. 2sh%e&/Res3ondent
DECALRATION 'Y JOYCE M. ASHLEY
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7, 4O9CE 6. 2SH8E9, here>& de5%are as 'o%%o<,
1. That 7 am the Res3ondent n the a>o!e/entt%e a5ton.
). That :%o>a% dd the )$13 Tr"st <here De5edent <as 3resentE
3. hat a%% 3ro!son o' the )$13 tr"st <as ds5"ssed <th de5edent >& the tr"st 3re3arerE
4. That De5edent "nderstood the 3ro!son o' the )$13 Tr"stE
5. That the De5edent dd not s"''er a stro;e 1$ &ears a=o as 5%amed >& *ettonerE
#. That De5edent dd not S"''er 'rom *ar;nson DseasedE
7. That 7 ha!e dstr>"ted to a%% >ene'5ares as to the 3ro!sons o' the )$13 tr"st 3er
de5edentDs <shesE
8. The amendment to the 1((8 tr"st <as d"e to the 'a5t that the R!ersde 3ro3ert& <as not
a 3art o' the 1((8 tr"st.
7, 4o&5e 6. 2sh%e&, de5%are "nder 3ena%t& o' 3erF"r& that the 'ore=on= s tr"e and 5orre5t, so
e1e5"ted on ths @@@@@@@ da& o' 23r% )$14, n the 5t& o' R!ersde, Ca%'orna.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
4o&5e 6. 2sh%e&/Res3ondent
?ER707C2T7ON
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7, 4o&5e 6. 2sh%e&, am the Res3ondent n the a>o!e/entt%ed a5ton. 7 ha!e read the
'ore=on= Res3onse and ;no< the 5ontents thereo'. The same s tr"e o' m& o<n ;no<%ed=e,
e15e3t as to those matters <h5h are theren a%%e=ed on n'ormaton and >e%e', and as to those
matters, 7 >e%e!e t to >e tr"e.
7 de5%are "nder 3ena%t& o' 3erF"r& that the 'ore=on= s tr"e and 5orre5t and that ths
de5%araton <as e1e5"ted at R!ersde, Ca%'orna.
Dated, @@@@@@@@@@@@@ (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((
4o&5e 6. 2sh%e&/Res3ondent