FirstMerit Bank, N.A. v. Diana L. Reese

Filed November 19, 2015, Fourth District, Div. Two

Cite as E061480

FirstMerit Bank sought to enforce a money judgment against Reese by applying for an order under Code Civ. Proc., § 708.510 assigning Reese’s interest in two trusts to FirstMerit, and an order restraining her from otherwise disposing of her right to payment under the trusts. The trial court denied the motion because a debtor’s interest in a trust is specifically not subject to such an assignment order.

The court of appeal affirmed. The only means by which a judgment creditor may enforce a money judgment against a beneficiary’s interest in a trust is by a lien under Code Civ. Proc., § 709.010. However, such an order must be sought from the court with jurisdiction over the trust. In this case the trusts were administered in Ohio. Therefore, even if FirstMerit had utilized the correct procedure, the California court had no jurisdiction to impose such a lien.

http://www.courts.ca.gov/opinions/documents/E061480.PDF