Sacramento, CA asked in Estate Planning for California

Q: My moms siblings lied and made fake documents and did not give her any of the money from her parents trust .

My parents borrowed money from my grandparents in 1987 they had it all paid back plus 3 years of interest by 1994. They have the original promissory note and the bank account info where the money went and a signed receipt from my grandmother with a sister signing as a witness that the loan has been paid in full. When my grandmother was on her death bed they made a cut and pasted fake promissory note that said my parents still owed all of the loan they put it in the will and then proceeded to cut her part out completely and split it between the 3 of them. My mom has the proof that she paid it and the promissory note is a fake and not an original she is so hurt that she wants her siblings to do right by her . Does she have a case?

Related Topics:
1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered

A: Your mom may have a case based on the evidence she has, especially if she can prove the loan was fully repaid and that the promissory note being used is a fake. The signed receipt from your grandmother and the witness could be strong pieces of evidence. Fraudulent documents used in estate planning, like a falsified promissory note, can lead to legal action, particularly if they resulted in your mom being unfairly cut out of the inheritance.

She might want to explore taking legal action to challenge the validity of the trust or will, and possibly pursue claims for fraud, undue influence, or breach of fiduciary duty against her siblings. The fact that she has documentation showing the loan was paid off could support her case.

It's important to act quickly, as there are statutes of limitations on these kinds of claims, which can vary depending on the specific situation. If this issue is not resolved through family discussions, legal intervention may be necessary to help her recover what she's entitled to.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.