Bone v. Bone

BLUE, Judge.

William B. Bone, individually and as co-trustee of the Aubrey H. Bone Revocable Trust, appeals the trial court’s order that denied a change of venue. He argues that his co-trustee, Ronald Irwin Croft, is not a bona fide defendant and, therefore, Croft’s presence in the suit as a defendant cannot establish venue in Pinellas County. We agree and reverse.

Ruth H. Bone, the trust’s beneficiary, filed this action to remove William Bone as co-trustee and to surcharge him for losses to the trust. In her complaint, Ruth Bone joined Croft as a defendant but sought no relief against him. In…