Are executors and trustees required to account?
Yes. Interested parties can demand and receive an accounting of the assets and liabilities of the estate and the trust at appropriate times. Probate Code § 149A. 6.3 Will Interpretation Sometimes the language in a will is subject to more than one interpretation, and litigation is necessary to determine which interpretation of the will prevails. If the will is found to be ambiguous, the court will hear evidence to resolve the ambiguities. If no ambiguity is present, the court will examine the will itself (the “four corners” of the will) and will determine which interpretation prevails. 6.4 Property Ownership Issues can arise regarding the ownership of property in an estate, and whether that property passes under the will and to whom it passes. Often these issues involve whether the property in question is community property that would pass under the deceased’s will, or whether the property is separate property of a surviving spouse that does not pass under the will. 6.5 Settled Disputes
