Lancaster v. Pickett
In December 2006 and May 2007, Betty Clemens executed amendments to the Coyle and Betty Clemens Trust (the Trust) that gave Charles Pickett, Betty's companion and caregiver, a 6 percent remainder interest in her trust and the home they shared. After Betty's death in April 2009, petitioner Linda Lancaster, in her capacity as successor trustee of the Trust, filed a petition to invalidate these amendments. After a lengthy trial, the court issued a statement of decision denying the petition. Lancaster moved for a new trial and the court denied the motion and filed a modified statement of decision. Lancaster timely appealed. On appeal, Lancaster appears to contend (1) the evidence cannot support the judgment, (2) the court applied the incorrect legal standard to determine whether to invalidate the amendments, and (3) the court abused its discretion by denying the new trial motion.
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