Knopik v. Shelby Investments, LLC
Missouri Supreme Court
597 S.W.3d 189 (2020)

- Written by Sean Carroll, JD
Facts
Shelby Investments, LLC (Shelby) (defendant) was the trustee of the Knopik Irrevocable Trust. Samuel Knopik was the sole beneficiary. The trust required Shelby to provide Knopik $100 per month from the trust. The trust also contained a no-contest clause, stating that if Knopik challenged any provision of the trust, asserted a claim against Shelby, or otherwise sought to remove Shelby as trustee, any such action would terminate Knopik’s interest in the trust. Shelby made the first required payment to Knopik but made no payments thereafter and indicated to Knopik that it did not intend to make any further payments. Knopik filed suit against Shelby for breach of the trust and removal of Shelby as the trustee. Shelby filed a counterclaim based on the no-contest clause, seeking to terminate Knopik’s interest. The circuit court granted Shelby’s motion for summary judgment. Knopik appealed.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Russell, J.)
Concurrence (Wilson, J.)
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