Gurfinkel v. Marmor, 32 Fla. L. Weekly D2931 (Fla. 3rd DCA December 12, 2007)
The decedent’s trust beneficiaries challenged a pre-death “amendment” executed by the decedent’s spouse as attorney in fact pursuant to a valid Durable Power of Attorney . The amendment “deleted” the trust’s primary asset stock in a family corporation. The stock was subsequently transferred to one of the decedent’s sons. The trial court relied upon language in the Durable Power of Attorney to uphold the amendment. The appellate court reversed, relying upon language in the Trust which indicted powers granted by the trust could be exercised only by the grantor and not by a conservator, guardian, or any person other than the grantor.
What does this mean, if you want your agent acting under a Durable Power of Attorney to be able to change your trust, your trust should include language to allow for it.
To review your Durable Power of Attorney and Florida Revocable Trust Contact a Florida Estate Planning Lawyer.