Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California
Small Claim for security deposit when property is held by a family trust
I need to sue for the return of my
security deposit after the end of a
lease on a single-family residence.
The lease shows the woman
individually as the owner, but the tax
assessor's office shows the property
is owned by her trust. Do I sue her or
the trust?
Asked on 5/01/09, 8:46 pm
1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert F. Cohen
Law Office of Robert F. Cohen
Re: Small Claim for security deposit when property is held by a family trust
Name both her as an individual and as trustee of the [name] trust. It's always safer to cover all bases. If she signed the lease without "trustee" after her name, she might be individually liable as well.
Answered on 5/01/09, 10:14 pm