Attorney General v. Wells Fargo Bank & Union Trust Co.

The attorney general appeals from an order of the superior court directing the testamentary trustee to distribute as intestate property 1/40 of the trust assets to the estate of the trustor’s sister, May Sewell.

Question Presented

Where Alcoholics Anonymous of San Francisco refuses to accept a testamentary bequest to it, should the bequest be treated as intestate property or should the principle of cy pres be applied?

Facts

The will of Mrs. Katherine Faulkner established a trust, with life interest in May Sewell, and remainder over in certain proportions to nine different charitable…