Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District / Date unavailable
Estate of Etsuko Toguri, by and through its trustee and executor, Kathleen Miki Toguri, Appellant/Cross-Respondent, v. Estate of Osvaldo Pierotti, by and through its personal representative, Anna Marie Pierotti and Anna Marie Pierotti, an individual, Respondent/Cross-Appellant.
The Estate of Etsuko Toguri sought to satisfy a California judgment against the Estate of Osvaldo Pierotti from three Missouri bank accounts held jointly by Osvaldo and his wife, Anna Marie. The trial court granted partial relief, applying California law to classify the accounts as community property and allowing recovery of one-half of their value. The appellate court affirmed in part and reversed in part, holding that Missouri law governed the accounts, which were properly designated as joint tenants with right of survivorship, and that the Toguri Estate could reach all funds contributed by Osvaldo. The case was remanded for modification of the judgment.