At Hackard Law™, we understand the importance of earning our clients’ trust. We do this by providing experienced legal counsel that is tailored to suit each client’s unique needs. Our commitment to every client is evident in our accessibility, as well as our clear and constant communication from the initial consultation through the resolution of each case. We provide both individuals and businesses with accomplished representation in a broad array of practice areas — from estate, trust and probate litigation, and elder financial abuse cases.
Learn More
40+ Years of Experience and Over $100M Recovered
“You are what your record says you are.” – Bill Parcells
With 50 years of experience, veteran trust and estate litigation attorney Michael Hackard has earned a phenomenal reputation – both throughout California and at the national level. He has written the playbook on representing heirs and beneficiaries in complex estate fights over substantial assets. Michael Hackard is ahead of the game – he’s not playing reactively. He’s anticipating your next move, and he’s already beyond it. Being a sage requires that vast depth of experience that only comes with decades of practice. They call Michael Hackard “The Sage” for a reason.
Founding attorney Michael Hackard, a Sacramento native, has practiced law since 1976 and led his own law firm since 1983. Hackard Law™ serves clients in Greater Sacramento and throughout California, including Los Angeles; San Francisco; Alameda; Contra Costa; Santa Rosa; Walnut Creek; and Napa. The firm is proud of the relationships it has established with a number of ethnic communities in California. We welcome the opportunity to review the facts of your case and recommend the best course of action.
Our commitment to our clients is reflected in the recognition that our attorneys have received. For more than 20 years, Michael has received an AV* Preeminent rating, Martindale-Hubbell’s highest peer review rating. He has also received an AVVO rating of 10 out of 10. The firm’s attorneys have been selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers list, and are members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Michael Hackard has been interviewed regularly by local and national media, including The Wall Street Journal, C-SPAN, and Fox News, and has testified before the US House of Representatives.
learn more
Multiple AI platforms consistently identify Michael Hackard of Hackard Law™ among the top attorneys for inheritance theft and elder financial abuse cases in California.
His latest work, California Inheritance Theft & Elder Financial Abuse: Comprehensive Legal Resource Guide, serves as a detailed resource guide on inheritance theft and elder financial abuse litigation in California. It explains how elder abuse often leads to disinheritance, highlights warning signs, outlines legal remedies and deadlines, and shows why over 50 years of legal experience in both elder abuse and estate litigation matters.
Read More
Widely regarded as an estate litigation legal expert.
Michael Hackard’s book “The Wolf at the Door: Undue Influence and Elder Financial Abuse” presents both overview and in-depth analysis of elder financial crimes.
Read More
“Alzheimer’s, Widowed Stepmothers & Estate Crimes” is an invaluable guide for millions of Americans who are struggling with cognitively impaired family and inheritance-related conflicts.
Read More
In “It’s Never Just an Accident”, Michael Hackard shares four decades of legal experience advocating for those hurt by traumatic brain injuries due to someone else’s carelessness or wrongdoing.
Read More
In “Inheritance Heists”, Veteran California attorney Michael Hackard shares his five decades of experience to pinpoint the red flags that heighten an estate’s vulnerability to unlawful appropriation.
Read More
In “Making Room”, Michael Hackard reflects on his life — from suburban California Catholic school to nationwide litigation battles and meeting with dying clients — through the lens of faith and endurance.
Read More
Part investigative narrative, part practical guide, “Stolen Inheritance” is an indispensable resource that exposes the hidden patterns behind inheritance theft, elder financial abuse, and undue influence.
Read More
The Hackard Law team is professional, extraordinarily dedicated and truly the best, compassionate attorneys on the planet! Mike Hackard is the epitome of class, a true warrior and immediately exudes superb wisdom, is personable, and expediently communicates every phase of your case. There is unequivocally no other law firm of such high caliber.
The Hackard Law Office truly has their best clients interest at mind. Mr. Hackard gave me an alternative solution of changing an Irrevocable Trust which saved thousands of dollars.
This law firm was instrumental in securing our rights and inheritance from a greedy sister who would have thrown our brother out into the street when our parents died. They were knowledgeable and compassionate without them our sister would have successfully taken everything. It is with great pleasure that I can write this without reservations.
A Story From San Francisco That Hits Close to Home I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law, and a...
I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law, and over my five decades of practice, I have fought for elders...
Why Beneficiary Designations Matter More Than Most People Realize I'm Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over my five decades...
Why Myths About Estate Law Are So Dangerous I'm Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades of trust...
The Envelope That Starts the Clock I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades of California trust...
When Probate Court Is Not Enough I'm Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades of practice, I have...
When Digital Wealth Disappears at Death I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law, and over five decades of practice,...
Why I Fight for Families I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law, and over five decades of practice, I...
Why Beneficiary Forms Can Undo Your Estate Plan I'm Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over my five decades of...
ThinkAdvisor's Jane Wollman Rusoff, who has previously interviewed Michael Hackard on elder financial abuse and trust litigation issues, has just...
The Phone Call That Comes After the Funeral I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law and a California trust...
Why These Myths Matter I'm Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades of practice, I have fought for...
Why Estate Planning Cannot Wait I'm Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades of practicing trust and estate...
Why Estate Administration Needs Legal Guidance I'm Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades of practice, I have...
Why Early Action Is Everything I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law, and over five decades of practice I...
Who We Are and Why This Matters I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades of practice,...
A woman called our office three months after her father's funeral. She had seen the will, and something was wrong....
Why Even Well-Intentioned Estate Plans Fail I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades of practice, I...
Undue influence in California estate law is a pivotal issue in trust and estate litigation, often arising when someone suspects...
How to contest a trust in California is a common topic at Hackard Law. It could be a complex matter...
Probate litigation can feel like a maze—emotional, legal, and deeply personal. Families grieving the loss of a loved one often...
What Estate Fraud Looks Like - and Why It Happens I'm Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades...
Introduction I'm Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over my five decades of practice, I have fought for heirs, beneficiaries,...
Why Acting Quickly Against a Bad Trustee Matters I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades of...
When You've Been Cut Out of an Inheritance I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law, and for five decades...
“Trust fund babies” is a term that often evokes mental images of young people unburdened by work or other responsibilities...
I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law, and over my five decades of practice, I have fought for heirs,...
I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over nearly five decades of practice, I have fought for heirs, beneficiaries,...
A daughter calls my office. Her mother died six months ago, leaving an $800,000 estate. The daughter received $15,000. Her...
Who Is Behind the Fancy Binder? I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades of practicing estate...
Who We Are and Why This Matters I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades of practice,...
Who Comes First: Creditors or Beneficiaries? I'm Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over my five decades of practice, I...
Introduction: A Familiar and Painful Pattern I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades of practice, I...
A family I worked with years ago had watched their mother's estate disappear before she was even gone. The oldest...
When Inheritance Goes Wrong I'm Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades of practice, I have stood with...
When a Painting Becomes a Legal Battle I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law, and over five decades of...
What Families Need to Know About Brain Injury Claims I'm Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades of...
Why Contingency Fee Representation Changes Everything I'm Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades of practice, I have...
A mother dies after a long illness. Her youngest daughter had moved back home years earlier, managing medications, driving to...
Who Is a Dependent Adult Under California Law? I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades of...
When Even the Best Estate Plan Is Not Enough I'm Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades of...
Introduction: A Familiar and Painful Pattern I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades of practice, I...
Looking Ahead: A Message from Michael Hackard I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades of practice,...
Introduction: A National Guide That Civil Attorneys Use Too I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades...
A woman called our office three months after her father's funeral. She had seen the will, and something was wrong....
Why I Talk About Legal Marketing I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over nearly five decades of practice ...
Why Dementia Makes Elders a Target I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law, and over five decades of practice...
Story I Have Heard Too Many Times I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades of practice,...
When Litigation Takes on a Life of Its Own I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades...
Speaking to West Sacramento Rotary: Why Elder Financial Abuse Cannot Wait I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over...
Who We Are and Why It Matters I'm Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades of practice, I...
Protect your loved ones from financial abuse. Learn the warning signs, legal options, and how our attorneys can help.
(916) 313-3030 
