Warren A. Hakanson, et al vs. Judith K. Holland, Trustee of the G.W. Hakanson Living Trust, et al

Case Number
E2009-01401-COA-R3-CV

Warren A. Hakanson and Sylvia Harris sued Judith K. Holland both as Trustee of the G.W. Hakanson Living Trust dated November 19, 1996 ("the Trust"), and individually, seeking, among other things, to have Ms. Holland removed as Trustee and to have the Trust correctly administered. The case was tried, and the trial court entered an order finding and holding, inter alia, that the Trust, as written, did not comport with the intent of G.W. Hakanson, that Ms. Holland had proposed a distribution which she believed met G.W. Hakanson's intent, that Ms. Holland remain as Trustee, and that prior distributions to Mr. Hakanson and Ms. Harris should be added back into the Trust with Mr. Hakanson and Ms. Harris each to receive $247,800 from the Trust and then the remaining Trust assets divided equally three ways with Mr. Hakanson, Ms. Harris, and Ms. Holland each to receive one-third. Mr. Hakanson and Ms. Harris appeal to this Court. We reverse, in part, finding and holding that there is no ambiguity in the written Trust and that the Trust shall be distributed in accordance with its clear written directions. We affirm the remainder of the trial court's order.

Authoring Judge
Judge D. Michael Swiney
Originating Judge
Chancellor E.G. Moody
Case Name
Warren A. Hakanson, et al vs. Judith K. Holland, Trustee of the G.W. Hakanson Living Trust, et al
Date Filed
Dissent or Concur
No
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