Motions for Reconsideration
Every so often a party will file a motion to reconsider after an issue is decided against a party. This is, in effect, an effort to re-argue a motion or topic. Some cases have observed that motions for consideration have no legal effect because the Missouri civil procedure rules do not recognize such a motion. […]
Negligence, Third-Parties
Negligence requires a showing of (1) the existence of a duty to protect the plaintiff from injury, (2) breach of the duty, (3) causation and (4) an injury to plaintiff. Thiele v. Rieter, 838 S.W.2d 441, 442 (Mo. Ct. App. 1992). Foreseeability is key in determining whether a duty exists. Wieland v. Owner-Operator Servs., Inc., 540 S.W.3d 845, 848 (Mo. 2018). […]
Power of Attorney Litigation, Attorney Fees
An attorney-in-fact for a principal under a power of attorney has a fiduciary obligation to act in the best interests of the principal consistent with the terms of the power of attorney document. When an attorney-in-fact breaches his or her obligations, the principal, a family member of the principal or some other successor in interest […]
Trustee Duty to Report and Inform
As part of a trustee’s fiduciary duties, there is an important obligation to keep beneficiaries ” “reasonably informed about the administration of the trust and of material facts necessary for them to protect their interests.” § 456.8-813, RSMo. This is flexible language and greatly depends on the facts of a particular section. However, the official […]
Trusts: Duty of Loyalty
A trustee has a fiduciary duty of loyalty to act in the best interests of the trust’s beneficiaries. While the Settlor (i.e., trust-maker) is alive and has capacity to revoke the trust, the duties of the trustee are owed exclusively to the Settlor. Section 456.6-603, RSMo. There is typically a shift in these duties when […]
Trust Law versus Corporate Law, Controlling Duties
When a trust owns corporate shares, do corporate fiduciary obligations or trustee obligations prevail? The answer is that generally a trustee’s obligations take priority. Upon incorporation of trust assets, the corporation becomes the alter ego of the trustees and the trustee’s acts are determined in the light of the trust. Weldon Revocable Trust v. Weldon, 231 S.W.3d 158, 171 […]