Estate Planning Newsletter

• Does a Killer have Rights to a Victim's Property?
  If a person murders a relative, is he/she entitled to receive any of the victim’s property? In most cases, the answer would be “no.” Usually, a convicted killer cannot inherit a victim’s property, even if he/she... Read more.
• What is Probate?
  Probate, a Latin term meaning “to prove the will,” is a court-supervised process that settles a person’s affairs after death. To ensure that the decedent’s final matters and wishes are handled correctly... Read more.
• New Estate Tax Rates Bring Certainty
  Much to the relief of many, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (“2012 Tax Act”) was enacted in the beginning of 2013, making permanent many of the tax benefits that were scheduled to expire at the end of 2012. The... Read more.
• Use of Special Needs Trusts to Protect Public Benefits for the Disabled
  Some government statistics estimate that between 15% and 20% of all Americans have some form of disability. It is also estimated that the majority of disabled persons will need to avail themselves of public assistance to help pay the... Read more.

• 3 Estate Planning Documents Every Parent Needs
• The importance of estate planning
• Priscilla Presley and Riley Keough to Settle Dispute Over Family Trust
• 8 estate planning tips for advisors with artists and entertainer clients
• Fiduciary Duty Breached by Nephew Who Withdrew Funds That Belonged to Family Trust

Fraudulently Transferred Property & Constructive Trusts

A constructive trust is a remedy imposed by a court when a person has wrongfully attained property in an inappropriate way. The court will undo the transaction and order that title to the property go to the rightful owner.

Types of Wrongful Conduct

Any wrongful activity that leads to the unfair obtainment of property may be cause for a constructive trust, including:

• Fraud (including forgery)
• Theft (including embezzlement)
• Accident
• Mistake
• Undue influence
• Violation of fiduciary duty (for example, where a partner purchases property in his own name rather than in the name of the partnership)

Factors

In order for a constructive trust to be created, the following factors must exist:

• Fraudulent representations or concealment of important and material information, or breach of trust
• Acts such as transfer of property as a result of the fraud or breach
• Profit and/or unjust enrichment as a result of fraudulent representation or concealment of important and material information

Remedy Under Constructive Trusts

A constructive trust is imposed when an affected party initiates a lawsuit requesting relief. It typically provides that the property pass from the wrongful owner to the rightful owner.

However, if the unlawful owner has damaged or destroyed any of the property, the rightful owner is entitled to a money judgment for the value of the property.