Breach of Fiduciary Duties in Wills & Estates

Executors, trustees, and other fiduciaries are legally required to act in the best interests of beneficiaries. When that trust is abused, mishandled, or exploited, the harm can be financial, emotional, and deeply personal.

A breach of fiduciary duty occurs when a fiduciary fails to uphold their legal obligations in administering a will, trust, or estate. These cases often involve misuse of assets, self-dealing, concealment, or failure to act with honesty and care.

At Baldwin & Vernon Trial Attorneys, we represent beneficiaries in Kansas City and throughout Missouri and Kansas who have been harmed by fiduciaries who violated their duties. Our practice is focused on civil litigation and courtroom advocacy, because fiduciary disputes often require formal court intervention to uncover misconduct and restore accountability.

What Is a Fiduciary Duty?

A fiduciary is someone legally entrusted to manage assets or interests on behalf of others. In wills and estate matters, fiduciaries commonly include:

• Executors or personal representatives

• Trustees

• Administrators of estates

• Individuals acting under powers of attorney

Under Missouri law, fiduciaries owe beneficiaries duties of loyalty, honesty, care, and full disclosure. They are required to act solely in the interests of the beneficiaries — not for personal gain.

Common Breaches of Fiduciary Duty

Breach of fiduciary duty in wills and estates can take many forms, including:

• Misuse or misappropriation of estate or trust assets

• Self-dealing or conflicts of interest

• Failure to provide accurate accounting

• Concealing information from beneficiaries

• Favoring certain beneficiaries unfairly

• Delays or refusal to distribute assets

• Acting outside the authority granted by the will or trust

Even conduct that appears subtle or justified may constitute a breach when it violates fiduciary obligations.

Civil Litigation for Fiduciary Misconduct

When fiduciaries breach their duties, beneficiaries may pursue civil litigation to protect their interests and recover losses. These cases may seek:

• Removal of the fiduciary

• Recovery of misused or lost assets

• Financial damages

• Court-ordered accounting

• Injunctive or equitable relief

Fiduciary disputes often involve complex financial records, family dynamics, and contested narratives. Litigation experience is essential to uncovering the truth and presenting it effectively in court.

Missouri Law & Fiduciary Accountability

Missouri law provides strong protections for beneficiaries and clear standards for fiduciary conduct. Courts take breaches of fiduciary duty seriously, particularly where misconduct undermines the intent of a will or trust.

However, these cases are rarely simple. Fiduciaries often deny wrongdoing, delay disclosure, or attempt to justify improper actions. Success requires strategic investigation and readiness to litigate.

At Baldwin & Vernon Trial Attorneys, we approach fiduciary breach cases with trial-level preparation from the outset.

Why Trial Experience Matters in Fiduciary Disputes

Breach of fiduciary duty cases frequently turn on credibility, documentation, and the ability to explain complex financial issues clearly to a judge or jury.

Our firm prepares wills and estates litigation with the expectation that contested issues may require courtroom resolution. That preparation shapes how evidence is gathered, how experts are used, and how accountability is pursued.

Trial experience matters when trust has been violated and significant assets are at stake.

If you believe an executor, trustee, or fiduciary misused assets or violated their duties, you may have legal options.

Baldwin & Vernon Trial Attorneys represents beneficiaries across Kansas City and Missouri in breach of fiduciary duty disputes involving wills, trusts, and estates.