Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in California

Obtain yourself probte litigation counsel to examine what your potential options for recovery againsty PNC Bank. As to the jurisdiction for suit, your legal counsel can advise you; generally where the deceased died is the proper county for administration of the trust, but not always; this is the reason to seek legal advice, and by the way, filing in small claims court does not sound as an appropriate option for recovery, as the dollar limitation on judgment amounts is very limited.

A thorough review of the facts is needed before anyone can advise you as to where you can or should sue. A California court, however, does not have jurisdiction over the case simply because the plaintiff lives in California. The governing law for deciding what (if anything) that PNC Bank did wrong will be the law of the other state.

I suggest you speak to a lawyer who handles trusts and probate litigation for advice. A lawyer in California could at least advise you as to where you can file suit.