Williams v. Bowie CA1/2

BACKGROUND

On December 8, 2017, Mildred Williams executed a revocable trust, which provided for the equal distribution of her estate to her four children: Remonia (Frank’s mother), John Williams, Donald Williams, and Greta Strong. After Mildred’s passing in December 2020, John became the successor trustee. On February 26, 2021, John served a notice to creditors and a notice of trust administration on the trust’s beneficiaries and the heirs to Mildred’s estate, including Remonia and Frank. In response, Roberto Otapia filed a creditor’s claim for $30,611.76 for “care provider services.” Although John, as trustee, filed an allowance for the claim, the trust did not pay it because “the only asset” of Mildred’s estate was the Oakland property, which would need to be sold to pay the claim. Thus, on April 2, 2021, John filed a notice of proposed action, indicating an intent to charge Remonia—the only trust beneficiary living at the property2—“reasonable rent” in the amount of $3,200 per month. Neither Remonia nor Frank filed an objection to the notice. John filed a second notice of proposed action on August 9, 2021, advising that he sought to sell the Oakland property, estimating an “as…