Littlefield

BACKGROUND

The Petition The parties to this dispute are co-trustees of The Pony Tracks Ranch Trust (the Trust) and its three sub-trusts. David and Scott are Allison’s brothers, and Denise Sobel is Allison’s aunt. Allison filed a verified petition alleging “request[s] for relief” for: (1) removal of appellants as co-trustees under Probate Code section 15642; (2) breach of fiduciary duty; and (3) breach of the Trust.3 The petition also included a “cause of action” for declaratory and injunctive relief. The petition alleged that Jacques Littlefield, the father of Allison, David, and Scott, created the Trust “to acquire and retain for the collective benefit of [his] descendants” the real property known as Pony Tracks Ranch (the Ranch). The Trust allowed Jacques’ descendants to use and occupy the Ranch rent free, to live in any of the buildings on the property, to keep animals there, and to use the property for parties, hunting, hiking, and camping. Jacques’ descendants were also to “work together in a spirit of family and cooperation in resolving any disputes about the acquisition, use, ownership and sale of the Ranch.” The Ranch is owned by Pony Tracks Ranch LLC (the LLC). The three…