Bakewell v. Breitenstein

CYNTHIA L. MARTIN, Judge.

This appeal involves the effect of a judicial decree of legal separation on the property rights of a spouse following the death of the other spouse.

Following the death of Janice M. Bake-well (“Ms. Bakewell”), John Bakewell (“Mr. Bakewell”) filed a declaratory judgment action against Laurie Breitenstein (“Breitenstein”), successor trustee of Ms. Bakewell’s living trust, and Jerry Lawson (“Lawson”), trustee on a deed of trust executed by Ms. Bakewell in favor of Citi-Financial Services, Inc. Mr. Bakewell sought a declaration that he was the lawful owner of real estate…