San Pasqual Fiduciary Trust Co. v. Holt CA4/3 ( 2013 )

Filed 11/8/13 San Pasqual Fiduciary Trust Co. v. Holt CA4/3
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS
California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for
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IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION THREE
SAN PASQUAL FIDUCIARY TRUST
COMPANY, as Trustee, etc.,
G046003
Plaintiff and Respondent,
(Super. Ct. No. 239915)
v.
OPINION
CLUNIES A. HOLT et al.,
Defendants and Appellants,
DAVID M. DENHOLM,
Defendant and Respondent.
Appeal from an order of the Superior Court of Orange County, Mary Fingal
Schulte, Judge. Affirmed.
Law Offices of William B. Hanley and William B. Hanley for Defendants
and Appellants.
Poindexter & Doutré and Jeffrey A. Kent for Plaintiff and Respondent.
Hinojosa & Wallet, Jeffrey Forer and Shannon H. Burns for Defendant
Respondent.
* * *
This court has before it several appeals arising from a long drawn out
dispute among the beneficiaries of a family trust formed in 1973. This appeal concerns a
challenge to the probate court’s order granting the interim trustee’s petition for
instructions about leasing real property of the trust and directing the payment of net
income to one of the beneficiaries. Two of the beneficiaries who are mother and
daughter, Clunies A. Holt and Clunies E. Holt (hereafter collectively referred to as the
Holts unless the context requires otherwise), argue the trustee lacked standing to bring the
petition and they are entitled to additional income. We affirm the probate court’s order.
I
A. Background Facts
The following summary of the underlying facts is taken in large part from
the probate court’s August 2011 detailed statement of decision. The case concerns the
David Scott Denholm and Clunies Manson Denholm Trust dated April 2, 1973 (the
Trust). David Denholm died in 1984 and Clunies Denholm died in 2005. The Trust is
irrevocable.
The beneficiaries of the Trust are:
1. David M. Denholm (Denholm), who is the son of the trustors. The Trust
provided Denholm was a 50 percent income beneficiary until the fifth anniversary
of the death of the last trustor to die, which was October 7, 2010. After that date,
Denholm was entitled to receive a distribution of one-half of the Trust’s estate.
Denholm did not receive this distribution in 2010 for reasons that will be
discussed anon.
2
2. Clunies A. Holt, who is the daughter of the trustors. The Trust provided
she was a 50 percent income beneficiary until October 7, 2010. After that date,
she was to be the sole income beneficiary of the Trust.
3. Clunies A. Holt’s three children, Clunies E. Holt, James Holt, Jr., and
Cameron Holt Schmidt, were entitled to the distribution of the remaining one-half
of the Trust upon their mother’s death. Clunies A. Holt and her children will
sometimes be collectively referred to in this opinion as the “Holt Beneficiaries.”
Denholm was the trustee of the Trust from its inception until December 2007. On
December 19, 2007, the court accepted Denholm’s voluntary resignation, and appointed
San Pasqual Fiduciary Trust Company (San Pasqual) as the interim trustee.
The catalyst for Denholm’s resignation was a civil lawsuit filed by the
Holts against Denholm, individually, and as trustee of the Trust for breach of fiduciary
duty and other torts. This civil action was tried in 2010 before trial judge David C.
Velasquez. On September 22, 2010, the court issued a minute order awarding the Holts,
on behalf of the Trust, over $5.3 million. On May 6, 2011, the court filed a judgment
awarding $5,416,315.77 on behalf of the Trust. The judgment was later corrected nunc
pro tunc to account for prejudgment interest, increasing the award to $5,751,682.17.
Because of this ruling, San Pasqual postponed distribution of Denholm’s interest in half
of the Trust on October 7, 2010, as required by the terms of the Trust.
The Trust owned other substantial assets. Relevant to this appeal, it owned
commercial real property on Sawtelle Boulevard in Los Angeles, California (hereafter the
Sawtelle Properties). The Sawtelle properties consisted of three parcels of land, each
containing buildings: (1) 2322 Sawtelle; (2) 2326-2330 Sawtelle; and
(3) 2340-2344 Sawtelle. In 2011, some of the buildings were leased and some were not.
Up through February 28, 2011, the Trust earned a positive net income, but this changed
to a negative when the leases on 2326 and 2340 Sawtelle expired.
3
From November 1, 2010, to February 28, 2011, San Pasqual distributed
$10,000 to Holt each month. However, as of March 1, 2011, there was no net income to
distribute, and San Pasqual had no authority under the Trust to invade the principal.
B. The Petition Challenged on Appeal
In January 2011, San Pasqual filed a petition for instructions concerning
(1) leasing the Sawtelle Properties, and (2) income distributions to Clunies A. Holt. The
trial on this petition lasted a little over one day, during which the court considered
testimony from witnesses, exhibits, and oral argument.
The court rejected the Holts’ objection to the petition on the grounds
San Pasqual lacked standing to bring the petition. It instructed San Pasqual to retain a
qualified real estate broker to represent the Trust and lease the 2326/2340 Sawtelle
Properties, to assess the environmental condition of the property, and to expend the
Trust’s funds to place the property into whatever may be reasonably required by a
qualified lessee. In addition, the court instructed San Pasqual that Clunies A. Holt should
receive 50 percent, not 100 percent of the net income from the Trust. On appeal, the
Holts only challenge the ruling regarding San Pasqual’s standing and the amount of net
income owed to Clunies A. Holt.
II
A. Standing
In its statement of decision, the probate court summarized the Holts’
argument as follows: The Holts argue, alternatively, that (1) San Pasqual resigned as
trustee and all the beneficiaries (a group that the Holts contend does not include
Denholm) have accepted that resignation; (2) all beneficiaries (again except for
Denholm) have agreed to a successor trustee. The probate court determined these
arguments were not supported by the evidence, and to the contrary, the evidence
supported the conclusion the parties never reached an agreement about San Pasqual’s
resignation. Moreover, the probate court determined the requirements under Probate
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Code section 156401 for the resignation of a trustee had not been met. And finally, the
court concluded the prior order appointing San Pasqual provided it would act as interim
trustee until its resignation and appointment of a successor trustee or upon further court
order. Because neither of these events had occurred, the probate court concluded San
Pasqual had standing as interim trustee to seek instructions from the probate court about
administration of the Trust.
On appeal, the Holts essentially assert the same two contentions. The
parties agree our standard of review is de novo regarding interpretation of the Trust.
(Burch v. George (1994) 7 Cal.4th 246, 254.) And the issue of whether the interim
trustee resigned is reviewed under the substantial evidence test. (Wilson v. County of
Orange (2009) 169 Cal.App.4th 1185, 1188.)
It is undisputed the original trustee, Denholm, resigned on December 5,
2007. The Holts assert Article XI of the Trust clearly declares, “In the event of the death
or incapacity” of Denholm to act as trustee “the following persons shall act as [a]lternate
[c]o-[t]rustees in the order set forth, providing that after such death or incapacity there
shall always be two [c]o-[t]rustees so acting . . . .” The alternate trustee list includes nine
people, and James A. Holt, Jr., is the last name on the list.
The Holts assert that because the Trust identifies the people who must fill a
vacancy, Denholm must be replaced as provided in the Trust. The Holts assert James A.
Holt, Jr., is the only eligible person named as alternate trustee. The Holts characterize
San Pasqual as simply the temporary trustee who can be replaced by a different interim
trustee. The Holts boldly conclude San Pasqual’s resignation was not necessary for the
beneficiaries to fill the vacancy.
This overly simplistic argument ignores several key facts. First, Denholm’s
vacancy was not compelled by his death or incapacity. When pursing their civil action
1 All further statutory references are to the Probate Code, unless otherwise
indicated.
5
against Denholm, the Holts filed a petition to remove Denholm as trustee and suspend his
powers pending a hearing and appointment of a successor trustee. At the hearing,
Denholm orally tendered his resignation as trustee pursuant to section 17200, subdivision
(b)(11). On December 19, 2007, the court accepted Denholm’s resignation and appointed
San Pasqual as the interim trustee effective December 5, 2007. The court’s order noted
San Pasqual consented to the appointment under certain terms and conditions. Relevant
to this case, San Pasqual agreed to “act as interim [t]rustee of the [Trust] until the earlier
of (a) the resignation of San Pasqual and the appointment of a successor [t]rustee or (b)
upon further [c]ourt order.”
Thus, the probate court filled the vacancy created by the resignation. The
Holts expressly stipulated to the court’s order. They provide no case authority or rational
reason why the court order should be ignored. The Trust certainly did not confer the
Holts with authority to unilaterally appoint a new successor trustee in violation of the
court’s order appointing San Pasqual as the interim trustee, and before San Pasqual
officially resigned as trustee.
Alternatively, the Holts argue they have the authority to appoint a successor
trustee because San Pasqual effectively resigned in December 2010. We find substantial
evidence supports the probate court’s conclusion San Pasqual never resigned as interim
trustee.
On appeal, the Holts maintain San Pasqual sent them a letter on December
6, 2010, stating it would prepare a final accounting and resign as trustee. In a footnote,
the Holts claim they informed San Pasqual of their intention to replace it as trustee on
November 17, 2010, and again on December 3, 2010. The Holts contend they accepted
San Pasqual’s resignation on December 15, 2010. They assert San Pasqual resigned on
December 6, 2010, and then improperly attempted to revoke that intention on December
22, 2010, when it learned the Holts were seeking to fill the vacancy of successor trustee
by an ex parte application on December 23, 2010.
6
We have reviewed the record, and like the probate court, we conclude the
undisputed record tells a much different story. In early November 2010, San Pasqual
wrote a letter to Clunies A. Holt discussing the status of lease negotiations, and it
requested input as to “what kind of tenant or use” all the Trust’s beneficiaries would find
acceptable with respect to the Sawtelle Properties. In response, on November 17, the
four Holt Beneficiaries demanded San Pasqual’s immediate resignation. The letter was
not signed by Denholm. The Holt Beneficiaries sent a second letter on December 3
requesting San Pasqual’s resignation. That letter declared the Holt Beneficiaries were the
only beneficiaries of the Trust, and they commanded that San Pasqual “cease all activities
on behalf of the Trust.”
On December 6, San Pasqual sent a letter informing the Holt Beneficiaries
that Denholm remained a beneficiary of the Trust “notwithstanding the uncertainty as to
the interest [he will] receive from [the Trust].” In addition, San Pasqual stated it would
be willing “and now will, prepare a final accounting through December 31, 2010[,] and
will petition the court seeking approval of that accounting (as well as the pending first
account current) and a court order accepting [San Pasqual’s] resignation as trustee, which
resignation will likely be conditioned upon some other person or entity being appointed
trustee in place of [San Pasqual].”
In the December 6 letter, San Pasqual told the Holt Beneficiaries, “pending
receipt of a court order approving [its] resignation as trustee and approving its
accountings, [San Pasqual] will continue to administer the [Trust] in a prudent and
professional fashion, acquiescing to the requests of all beneficiaries to the extent that
[San Pasqual] can do so consistent with [its] obligations as trustee.”
To summarize, the December 6 letter served to notify the Holt Beneficiaries
of San Pasqual’s future intent to resign, conditioned on several key events. Namely,
San Pasqual stated it would tender a resignation after it completed its accounting at the
end of the year and after it received approval from the court. San Pasqual notified the
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Holt Beneficiaries its resignation would likely be conditioned on the court’s approval of
its replacement trustee (as expressly stated in the court’s order appointing San Pasqual
the interim trustee).
On appeal, the Holts contend they “accepted” the resignation on December
15, 2010. The record belies this contention. We found absolutely no evidentiary support
for the Holts’ claim they accepted the terms of San Pasqual’s proposed resignation. To
the contrary, the Holts sent San Pasqual a letter that disputed whether Denholm was still a
beneficiary of the Trust, and stated, “We reiterate our choice is to replace you with a
successor trustee(s). We accept your resignation as stated in the December 6 . . . letter,
with the exception (1) it is effective immediately, not as of December 31, 2010, [and]
(2) the objection to the San Pasqual accounting remain. [¶] Attached, please find the
[r]esignation for your signature.” (Italics added.)
The Holts offer no explanation or reasoned analysis to support their claim
the above letter was an acceptance of San Pasqual’s terms of resignation. By its plain
language, the letter rejected the terms outlined by San Pasqual for its resignation, and
demanded an immediate resignation. There is no legal or rational basis to conclude the
December 15 letter represents an agreement, or meeting of the minds, between the parties
about how San Pasqual would resign as interim trustee.
The following week, after the Holts’ counsel filed an ex parte application
seeking the appointment of a new trustee, San Pasqual sent him a letter stating it had not
resigned as interim trustee and “will not presently resign as interim trustee.” The letter
added, “Further so that there can be no misunderstanding as to the San Pasqual’s
position” it had prepared a pleading entitled “[n]on-[r]esignation of San Pasqual,” which
was served on all parties and the court. San Pasqual asked the Holts’ counsel not to
proceed with his inappropriate ex parte application. Based on the above record, we find
there is substantial evidence supporting the probate court’s ruling San Pasqual did not
agree to resign in 2010.
8
Even if we were to assume for the sake of argument there was some sort of
resignation agreement between the four Holt Beneficiaries and San Pasqual, the probate
court would have been required to deem it invalid under the terms of section 15640. It is
well settled that, “After acceptance, the trustee cannot resign except as the trust
instrument provides, or with the permission of the court or the consent of the
beneficiaries. [Citations.]” (13 Witkin, Summary of Cal. Law (10th ed. 2005) Trusts, §
50, p. 621; § 15640.)
Specifically, section 15640 mandates: “A trustee who has accepted the
trust may resign only by one of the following [four] methods . . . .” (Italics added.) We
conclude that only two of the four methods of resignation apply in this case.
Section 15640 subdivisions (a) and (b), do not apply unless a trust specifies how the
trustee may resign or if the trust is revocable. Neither situation applies in this case.
Section 15640, subdivision (c), provides that if a trust is not revocable, the trustee may
resign “with the consent of all adult beneficiaries who are receiving or are entitled to
receive income under the trust or to receive a distribution of principal if the trust were
terminated at the time consent is sought. . . .” (Italics added.)
Here, there is no evidence in the record of unanimous consent by all the
beneficiaries. Only the four Holt Beneficiaries insisted San Pasqual resign as trustee.
Denham did not, and there is no evidence in the record before us that he was no longer a
beneficiary of the Trust. At the time the probate court made its ruling in August 2011,
there still had not been a final judgment entered in the civil action against Denholm. The
court correctly noted that because the judgment was not final and could be appealed, and
because it had not been decided how much of the Trust’s estate Denholm was entitled to,
Denholm retained a beneficial interest in the undistributed one-half of the Trust and in the
net income earned on the undistributed portion of the Trust’s estate. We agree with the
probate court’s conclusion Denholm is one of the Trust’s beneficiaries and he never
9
consented to San Pasqual’s resignation. Consequently, section 15640, subdivision (c)
does not apply.
Finally, section 15640, subdivision (d), provides a trustee may resign
“[p]ursuant to a court order obtained on petition by the trustee under section 17200. The
court shall accept the trustee’s resignation and may make any orders necessary for the
preservation of the trust property, including the appointment of a receiver or a temporary
trustee.” The record shows San Pasqual informed the beneficiaries of its intention to file
a petition under section 17200 after it completed its accounting and after the court
approved the accounting. When the Holt Beneficiaries rejected this plan, San Pasqual
never filed a petition seeking resignation from the court. Accordingly, the court never
ordered San Pasqual’s resignation and section 15640, subdivision (d), is inapplicable.
We conclude San Pasqual, as the interim trustee, had standing to bring the
petition requesting instructions for administration of the Trust. We note the Holts do not
challenge on appeal the court’s determination the Sawtelle Properties should be leased or
the instructions the court gave San Pasqual about how to proceed regarding leasing.
Enough said on this issue.
B. Income Distribution
The Holts maintain the court erred because Clunies A. Holt was only
entitled to income from one-half of the Trust. They assert she is the sole income
beneficiary of the Trust, entitled to income from the entire Trust’s estate (including
Denholm’s undistributed one-half share). In short, they are wrong.
The parties agree the issue of how much income from the Trust should be
distributed to the income beneficiary is a question of trust interpretation subject to a
de novo standard of review. The Trust plainly states the Trust’s income was to be
divided between Clunies A. Holt and Denholm, but on the fifth anniversary of the death
of the last trustor, the Trust “shall terminate as to an undivided one-half (1/2) of the . . .
estate and this, together with the one-half of any undistributed income, shall be
10
distributed to [Denholm].” Thereafter, Clunies A. Holt had an interest in receiving
income from “the remaining one-half (1/2) of the . . . estate” for the rest of her life.
The Holts contend that on October 7, 2010, San Pasqual could have
distributed one-half of the estate to Denholm as described in the Trust. They recognize
this distribution was not made because at the time it appeared Denholm had lost the civil
action and would owe the Trust substantial damages. Because the judgment was not
final, San Pasqual determined it would be prudent to wait before making the distribution.
Although it is undisputed Denholm’s distribution was simply postponed,
the Holts argue that under its express terms, the Trust in fact “terminated” as to Denholm
on October 7, 2010, and continued solely for Clunies A. Holt’s benefit and the benefit of
her children. The Holts argue Denholm’s beneficial interest in the Trust expired because
under section 15407, subdivision (a), “A trust terminates when any of the following
occurs: [¶] (1) the term of the trust expires.” The Holts explain the Trust clearly stated
that after October 7, 2010, the new income of the Trust must be paid to Clunies A. Holt
“as long as she shall live.” The Holts argue the Trust expressly states Clunies A. Holt is
currently the sole income beneficiary of the Trust.
This argument borders on the ridiculous. We dare say that if San Pasqual
had liquidated assets and distributed one-half of the estate to Denholm on October 7,
2010, despite the looming $5 million judgment, the Holts would be suing San Pasqual
and petitioning to halt the distribution. In any event, the Holts’ argument that Clunies A.
Holt is now entitled to the income on Denholm’s undistributed share fails for several
obvious reasons.
First, the Holts fail to supply any case authority or legal rationale as to why
Denholm is no longer entitled to income from his vested share simply because it has not
yet been distributed. Nor do they provide authority to support the notion a beneficiary’s
vested interest can expire due to the actions of the trustee. We conclude neither legal
11
authority nor equity supports the notion Denholm’s vested right to his share of the estate
was forfeited because the trustee postponed distribution. An appellant’s failure to
support his or her contentions with meaningful legal analysis violates California Rules of
Court, rule 8.883(a)(1)(A), and waives the issue on appeal. (See Badie v. Bank of
America (1998) 67 Cal.App.4th 779, 784-785.)
The Holts’ reliance on section 15407, subdivision (a), to support their
argument is misplaced. Section 15407 provides a trust terminates when “the term . . .
expires” and also when the trust is revoked or “[t]he trust purpose is fulfilled . . . [¶] . . .
becomes unlawful . . . [¶] . . . [or] becomes impossible to fulfill.” Section 15407,
subdivision (b), further explains, “On termination of the trust, the trustee continues to
have the powers reasonably necessary under the circumstances to wind up the affairs of
the trust.” In other words, section 15407 provides that after “termination” of a trust the
trustee retains the power to distribute assets to those with a vested interest. The statute
does not say termination of a trust immediately extinguishes a beneficiary’s vested right
to undistributed trust assets.
The Holts ignore statutory authority discussed by the probate court, which
expressly recognizes trustees may delay trust estate distributions (without forfeiting the
beneficiaries’ interests). When such a delay occurs, section 16341 directs trustees to
recognize beneficiaries of estates or trusts are entitled to receive net income equal to their
respective “fractional interest in undistributed principal assets . . . .” (Italics added.)
Specifically, section 16341 provides trustees are statutorily obligated to distribute “a
portion of the net income equal to the beneficiary’s fractional interest in undistributed
principal assets, using values as of the distribution dates and without reducing the values
of any unpaid principal obligations.” (§ 16341, subd. (a).)
We also find instructive the body of case law discussing what happens
when a trustee unreasonably postpones distribution, especially when there is a
distribution survivorship clause. “When there is unreasonable delay in distributing an
12
estate, a contingent interest vests at the time distribution should have been made.”
(Estate of Justesen (1999) 77 Cal.App.4th 352, 358 (Justesen), italics omitted.) “The
lesson of [Estate of Taylor (1967) 66 Cal.2d 855] is that unreasonable delay in
distributing an estate cannot defeat the beneficiary’s interest. [Citation.] Where there has
been unreasonable delay, contingent interests vest at the time distribution should have
occurred. [Citation.] The purpose of this rule is to advance the established policy
favoring prompt distribution of estates, and to carry out the presumed intent of the
testator, who contemplated prompt distribution. [Citation.]” (Justesen, supra, 77
Cal.App.4th at p. 365; see also Edwards v. Gillis (2012) 208 Cal.App.4th 1318, 1329.)
Also instructive is Salvation Army v. Price (1995) 36 Cal.App.4th 1619(Salvation Army). In that case, the trustor’s will created two testamentary trusts, Trust A
and Trust B, for the benefit of her husband for his life. Upon husband’s death, the assets
in Trust B were to be paid to five specified charities (including the Salvation Army) in
amounts that totaled $240,000. (Ibid.) The will provided the residue, if any, was to be
paid to the trustor’s nephew’s children, or to their issue (who included defendant). The
trustor died in 1971 and was survived by her husband. When he died four years later,
Trust B had a value of approximately $179,000, and included an interest in a parcel of
land that was the subject of several lawsuits. (Id. at p. 1622.) The court directed the
trustee to postpone administration of Trust B pending resolution of the lawsuits. (Ibid.)
After 18 years passed, the trustee advised the court the lawsuits had
concluded and Trust B had increased in value to nearly $900,000. (Salvation Army,
supra, 36 Cal.App.4th at p. 1622.) The trustee petitioned the court for instructions,
indicating the $900,000 should be paid to the five charities proportionately. Defendant
opposed the petition, claiming the charities were entitled only to $240,000, plus interest
13
from 1975. The trial court agreed with defendant, and the charities appealed. The
appellate court determined the charities had acquired a vested interest in all the Trust B
assets, reversing the trial court’s ruling the charities had acquired a vested interest in no
more than $240,000. (Id. at pp. 1622-1625.)
The court in Salvation Army noted section 15407, subdivision (a), provides
a trust terminates when the terms of the trust expire. The court explained, however, that
“[s]ection 15410, subdivision (c), provides, in relevant part, that upon termination of a
trust which terminates under its own terms, the trust property shall be distributed ‘as
provided in the trust instrument or in a manner directed by the court that conforms as
nearly as possible to the intention of the settlor as expressed in the trust instrument.’
[Citation.] [¶] ‘When the objects of a trust have been fully performed the title of the
trustee ceases and the legal as well as the equitable title vests in the beneficial owner
unless the intention of the creator clearly appears that the legal title should continue in the
trustee.’ [Citations.] Moreover, ‘[i]n the absence of any indication to the contrary a
testator contemplates prompt distribution.’ [Citation.] [¶] In this case Trust B’s purpose
was to provide [the trustor’s husband] with income during his lifetime, and [the trustor’s]
clear and stated intent was that the Trust B assets were to be distributed upon [husband’s]
death. The parties do not dispute the probate court’s finding that Trust B terminated upon
[husband’s] death on November 11, 1974. [¶] We conclude, as a matter of law, that
upon [husband’s] death, the trust terminated after having been fully performed, and the
beneficiaries’ rights vested. At the time of termination the Trust B assets had a value of
approximately $178,000 and were insufficient to fully satisfy the $240,000 in specific
pecuniary charitable bequests. Consequently, the specific charitable beneficiaries each
received a vested beneficial share of the Trust B assets proportionate to their specific
bequests. [The charities] are correct that because at the time the trust terminated and the
14
beneficial interests vested there was no residue, the residuary beneficiaries’ interests were
extinguished. That actual physical distribution of the Trust B assets was postponed
20 years does not affect the earlier vesting of title upon the trust’s termination.
[Citation.] Consequently, the court erred in determining that [the charities] were entitled
only to $240,000 plus interest thereon and that [defendant] and the other residuary
beneficiaries were entitled to all remaining Trust B assets.” (Salvation Army, supra, 36
Cal.App.4th at pp. 1624-1625.)
Similarly, the purpose of the Trust in this case was to divide the Trust’s
assets equally between the trustors’ two children. Using common estate planning tools,
the Trust contained a generation-skipping trust giving Clunies A. Holt income for her
lifetime, generated from her half of the Trust, with the principal vesting with her issue
upon her death. On the other hand, Denholm was designated an income beneficiary for a
short period of time and then his interests in the other half of the Trust vested
indefeasibly, notwithstanding any intervening events between then and the final
distribution (the delivery) of the Trust’s assets. The trustee’s delay in distributing
Denholm’s share cannot defeat his vested interest.
Moreover, as explained in Salvation Army, if the Trust’s assets should
increase in value during the time distribution is postponed, the beneficiaries with vested
interests are entitled to a proportional share of those new assets and income. (Salvation
Army, supra, 36 Cal.App.4th at p. 1625.) San Pasqual is also authorized to distribute “a
portion of the net income equal to the beneficiary’s fractional interest in undistributed
principal assets, using values as of the distribution dates and without reducing the values
of any unpaid principal obligations.” (§ 16341, subd. (a), italics added.) In short,
Denholm is still a beneficiary of the Trust, and his half of the Trust’s principal may
increase in value while his distribution is delayed, and he may be entitled to collect
income generated from his undistributed assets.
15
On a final note, we found the express language of the Trust also support the
conclusion Denholm’s share of the principal was not extinguished or transferred to
Clunies A. Holt or her children on October 7, 2010. The Trust specifies that in the event
of Denholm’s death, his rights as an income beneficiary, and his ability to inherit one-half
of the Trust, were not contingent on outliving his parents. Rather, the Trust provided:
“In the event of the death of [Denholm] leaving a surviving wife and issue, his share of
income shall be paid, in equal shares, to his widow and issue.” (Italics added, original
capitalization omitted.) Denholm’s share of the income would “thereafter be paid in trust
to the issue of Clunies A. Holt in equal shares, and be distributed to them on attaining the
ages hereafter set forth.” (Italics added, original capitalization omitted.)
In addition, the Trust stated, “The share of principal of the trust estate
distributable to [Denholm] shall, in the event of his death, be distributed in trust to his
issue, if any, in equal shares, and if none, shall be distributable in trust to the issue of
Clunies A. Holt in equal shares.” (Italics added, original capitalization omitted.) Based
on the plain language of the Trust, clearly the trustors never contemplated Clunies A.
Holt would be the recipient of Denholm’s share of the Trust’s income (for five years) or
be entitled to interest from Denholm’s share of the Trust’s principal. Denholm’s wife,
issue, and nieces and nephews were designated the beneficiaries of Denholm’s share if he
were to die. We found nothing in the Trust suggesting the trustors intended that Clunies
A. Holt receive anything more than income generated from half of the Trust during her
lifetime (even if Denholm were to predecease her). Since Denholm is very much alive, it
would be inequitable and contrary to the express terms of the Trust for the probate court
to award Clunies A. Holt income from Denholm’s undistributed share. We affirm the
court’s order that Clunies A. Holt shall receive income only from her half of the trust
assets.
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III
The order is affirmed. Respondents shall recover their costs on this appeal.
O’LEARY, P. J.
WE CONCUR:
BEDSWORTH, J.
ARONSON, J.
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