Practice Group | Bassford Remele

Representation of an iconic singer-songwriter and former advisor, who also acted as an advisor to the special administrator of the singer-songwriter’s estate, in connection with a dispute over music rights.

Represented at trial and before Supreme Court trustee’s opposition to multi-million dollar claims by the personal representative of decedent’s estate, resulting in a significant and precedential decision. In Re Pamela Andreas Stisser Grantor Trust Under the Second Amendment and Restatement of Trust Agreement Dated June 6, 2001, No. A10-1646 (Minn. 2012).

Defense of a large bank in its capacity as a corporate trustee against claims of breach of trust, breach of fiduciary duty, and a claim for surcharge in a 10-week bench trial, resulting in a favorable outcome for our client.

Represented estate beneficiaries in a claim for undue influence in soliciting a new will that created a multi-million dollar foundation.

Represented a trust company, obtaining summary judgment in a claim by a beneficiary alleging breach of duty with respect to trust distributions. The case set standards in Minnesota for determining trustee abuse of discretion. In re: Trs. A & B Created Under the Last Will & Testament of Divine, 672 N.W.2d 912 (Minn. Ct. App. 2004).

Representation of the Williams family, the family that started the Creamette Pasta Company, in a surcharge claim against a trust company, which resulted in a multi-million judgment in favor of the family’s trust as a result of the corporate trustee’s failure to diversify trust assets. In re: Will of Williams, 631 N.W.2d 398 (Minn. Ct. App. 2001).

Defense of a trust company in a billion-dollar claim that involved litigation in Minnesota, Oregon, and California, involving allegations of mismanagement of timberland held in trust, resulting in a 40-day trial and a successful outcome for our client. In re: Hill Trust, 499 N.W.2d 475 (Minn. Ct. App. 1993).

Represented trust beneficiaries to determine the rights of adopted children and grandchildren. Toombs v. Daniels, 361 N.W.2d 801 (Minn. 1985).

Successfully negotiated major settlement in favor of disputed trust beneficiaries involving a $60 million North Dakota Trust involving land and mining rights.

Successfully represented trust beneficiary in a suit to remove existing trustee and appoint a new corporate trustee.

Successfully defended corporate trustee in suit by beneficiaries to remove the trustee and seeking monetary damages.

Obtained successful decision in a court trial in favor of clients who contested several trust iterations on the basis of undue influence resulting in the shift of more than $2 million in assets.

Successfully tried case to terminate a trust on behalf of surviving grandchild by petitioning that a claimed measuring life for the trust was ambiguous and violated the Rule Against Perpetuities and was therefore invalid. (Ramsey Cty. 2015).

Obtained summary judgment in favor of client contesting a will and antenuptial agreement.

Represented, and tried to conclusion, charitable beneficiary’s claims against trustee during which it was discovered the trustee committed fraud and breaches of fiduciary duties leading to damage awards, liens and seizure of assets on behalf of the charitable beneficiary. (Scott Cty. 2022).

Tried matter contesting validity of a will due to a claim of lack of capacity. (Henn. Cty. 2011).

Tried estate dispute over distribution of business assets and the payment of attorney fees. (Dakota Cty. 2007).

Tried and handled appeal of reformation of will matter due to mistake of drafter pertaining to the terms “children” and “descendants” and obtained reformation. (Minn. Ct. App. June 8, 2015).

Obtained a jury defense verdict representing trustees accused of breach of fiduciary duties while simultaneously obtaining a judgment against the plaintiff for civil theft of and misappropriation of estate funds.

Obtained multimillion-dollar settlement for plaintiff in fraud, civil theft, and tortious interference claims involving diversion of investment accounts and real estate.

Won significant verdict in favor of clients who contested estate planning documents on the basis of undue influence and lack of testamentary capacity.

Negotiated favorable settlements for plaintiffs in a breach of fiduciary duty matter against a trustee in Florida.

Responded to appeal of trustees who were found to have breached their fiduciary duties to charitable beneficiaries. In re Estate of Neuman, 819 N.W.2d 211 (Minn. Ct. App. 2012).

Represented senior bond holder in a bond trust dispute with junior bond holders. (Minn. Ct. App. 2024).

Represented charitable beneficiary asserting trustee breached his fiduciary duties in failing to timely pay bequest to charitable beneficiary.

Represented relatives of vulnerable adult in obtaining a temporary conservatorship and litigating against caregiver/new spouse for permanent conservatorship. After vulnerable adult died, litigated against spouse on the validity of new will and trust.

Represented successor corporate trustee in administering contested trust and successfully defended successor corporate trustees decisions and administration at trial. (Dakota Cty. 2021).

Represented successor corporate trustee in administering contested trusts while beneficiaries and former trustee litigated disputes. (Henn. Cty.)

Represented corporate trustee in contested proceeding on determining who were appropriate beneficiaries of the trust and denying beneficiary’s claims for attorneys’ fees from the trust.

Represented personal representatives and trustees in rejecting a preliminary injunction and overturning a temporary restraining order against them to administer estates and revocable trusts. Also represented personal representatives and trustees in action to remove them.

Obtained court order establishing clients as qualified beneficiaries of a trust and entitled to accounts and other documents even though trustee planned to exercise a testamentary power of appointment in the future. (Wash. Cty. 2018).

Represented judgment creditor against personal representative of decedent/creditor’s estate and the trustee of decedent/creditor’s revocable trust.

Litigated matter involving the establishment of a constructive trust over real property deeded to one sister by donor for the disputed benefit of three sisters. (Henn. Cty. 2010).

Negotiated significant and favorable settlements for plaintiffs in two separate disputes involving prenuptial agreements involving payment of trust assets.

Obtained summary judgment in favor of trustee in case involving allegations of breach of fiduciary duties.

Obtained a favorable settlement for clients contesting the validity of a will and trust.