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.
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50 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 40 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.
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Michael Hackard’s resource guide, 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.
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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.
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“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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 woman I will call Margaret drove to her mother's bank three days after the funeral. She had the key....
Introduction: A Billionaire Heiress and a Cautionary Tale I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades of...
The Power of a Trustee Is Not Absolute I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades of...
A House Divided Cannot Stand I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades of practice, I have...
What This Case Pattern Reveals I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades of practice, I have...
She had lived in that house for thirty-one years. She raised three children there, buried a dog in the backyard,...
When a Caregiver Claims the House I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades of practice, I...
When Families Share Their Stories I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law, and over my five decades of practice,...
Four Tales From the Elder Financial Abuse Archives I'm Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades of practice,...
What Every Family Should Know Before a Trust Fight Begins I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law, a firm...
Why I Do This Work I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law, and I don't share the story of...
When Trusted Help Becomes Financial Harm I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades of practicing law...
Handwritten Holographic Will Disputes in California: Grounds, Risks, and Your Legal Options Margaret had spent forty years building her estate...
Why Advocacy Is More Than Winning I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law, and over five decades of practice...
When Courts Are Overwhelmed, Families Pay the Price I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades of...
Who Is Behind Estate Fraud? I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades of practicing law, I...
Why This Rule Matters to Families Right Now I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades of...
Yes, within limits — and the limits are narrower than most trustees behave as though they are. A trustee who...
A Royal Cautionary Tale - and What It Means for Your Family I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law,...
When the System Meant to Protect Becomes a Weapon I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades...
When the Silence Becomes Deafening I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades of practice, I have...
When a Lifetime of Family Expectations Is Erased I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades of...
A Journey Built on Twists, Turns, and Purpose I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over nearly five decades...
When the Family Home Becomes a Battleground I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades of practice,...
A woman I will call Margaret drove forty minutes to the skilled nursing facility where her mother had lived for...
What Every California Family Should Know About Asset Transfers at Death I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law, and...
Understanding Fraud in California Trust and Probate Cases I'm Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades of practice,...
When Trust Beneficiaries Are Harmed: What You Need to Know I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five...
When Isolation Becomes a Weapon I'm Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades of practice, I have fought...
Someone leaves. Not dies — leaves. There is no funeral, no death certificate, no probate. There is a phone that...
When the Courts Go Quiet, Families Pay the Price I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over nearly five...
When a Fremont Estate Dispute Threatens Your Inheritance I'm Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over nearly five decades of...
When a Parent's Memory Fades, the Legal Risks Grow I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law, and over five...
Who Is Really at Risk for Elder Financial Abuse? I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law, and over five...
A Story Worth Telling I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law, and I have spent nearly five decades standing...
When a Late-Life Will Change Becomes a Legal Battle I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades...
What families need to know before they file — and the one date that decides the case Quick answer: California...
Who the California Elder Abuse Act Protects I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades of practice,...
Who Can Challenge a Will - and Why It Matters I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five...
What Families Need to Know I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades in practice, I have...
The Problem No One Talks About Openly I'm Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades of practice, I...
The family described in this article is a composite drawn from a pattern this firm has seen many times. Names,...
Who Is Behind This Fight I'm Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law, and for over five decades I have represented...
Who I Am and Why It Matters I'm Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades of practice, I...
When a Child Becomes a Predator: Understanding Elder Financial Abuse I'm Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades...
Why Whistleblowers Matter in Elder Financial Abuse Cases I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law, and over five decades...
When Love Becomes Leverage I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades of practice, I have fought...
When Cognitive Decline Opens the Door to Financial Exploitation I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades...
I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. With over five decades of California trust and estate litigation, I have...
Why Blended Families End Up in Court I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades of practice,...
When Cognitive Decline Opens the Door to Financial Exploitation I am Michael Hackard, founder of Hackard Law. Over five decades...
Protect your loved ones from financial abuse. Learn the warning signs, legal options, and how our attorneys can help.
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