Rights of Beneficiaries

A trust is created by a loved one or family member for the benefit of a third party. As a trust beneficiary, you have the right to full disclosure regarding how the trustee is handling the estate.

The Dallas beneficiary rights attorneys at Spencer & Johnson, PLLC, have 20 combined years of experience in this narrowly focused practice area. Whether your dispute centers on the administration of a trust, the trust itself or you are a trustee who is seeking to defend himself or herself, we encourage you to contact our firm.

The rights of beneficiaries can be confusing but a practiced lawyer can explain the rights available to you under Texas law.

Know Your Rights as a Beneficiary

If you have been named a beneficiary under a loved one’s will, it is crucial that you gain a clear understanding of your rights. As an interested person, you are entitled to full disclosure of the trustee’s handling of the estate. You have the right to seek accountings, file suit, complain and inquire about distributions.

Texas Prop. Code Ann. § 111.004 defines an interested person as “a trustee, beneficiary, or any other person having an interest in or a claim against the trust or any person who is affected by the administration of the trust. Whether a person, excluding a trustee or named beneficiary, is an interested person may vary from time to time and must be determined according to the particular purposes of and matter involved in any proceeding.”

If you are concerned that you are being mistreated, or the trust is not being properly managed, it is important to contact an experienced Texas attorney. Whether you are an individual, a group of individuals or a corporation, you are entitled to beneficiaries’ rights. The probate process is controlled by Texas statutes that can seem complex and contradictory. 

By working with a knowledgeable attorney, you can ensure that your rights are protected even if you are concerned about testamentary trusts, non-probate assets, intestacy or the general mishandling of an estate.

Contact Our Firm

Spencer & Johnson, PLLC, invites you to contact our law office today to schedule a free consultation regarding your estate and trust matters. 

We are located in Dallas, but we travel throughout Texas to serve our clients. Our business hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and evenings and weekends by appointment. Ask us about our hourly and contingency fees.