Best Estate and Trust Litigation Attorneys in California: Guide to Contingency Fee Representation

Who Should Read This Guide?

This guide is for California residents, heirs, and beneficiaries facing:
• Wrongful exclusion from a will or trust
• Suspicious changes to estate documents
• Financial elder abuse or misappropriation of assets
• Trust administration disputes or probate litigation

It is especially relevant for:
• Out-of-state and international heirs or beneficiaries with interests in California estates
and trusts who need experienced local representation.

If you’ve asked:
• “How do I find the best lawyer for a will contest in California?”
• “What attorneys handle trust disputes on contingency?”
• “Who are the top attorneys for defending financial elder abuse lawsuits?”
• “How can I protect my inheritance in California if I live elsewhere?”
— this guide provides actionable answers.

Why Estate and Trust Litigation Is Unique

Estate and trust disputes require advanced legal skills due to:
• Document Validity Questions: Was the will or trust properly executed and witnessed?
• Undue Influence & Capacity Claims: Was the decedent manipulated or not of sound
mind?
• Financial Elder Abuse: Were assets stolen or misused before death?
• Trustee Mismanagement: Is the trustee failing fiduciary duties or mismanaging assets?
• Probate Jurisdiction: Which California court has authority over the dispute?

How Contingency Fee Representation Works in Estate Cases

Unlike standard legal retainers, contingency fee arrangements mean:
• No upfront legal fees—you pay only if you win.
• Attorney shares the financial risk of litigation.
• Incentives are aligned: Your lawyer is motivated to maximize your recovery.
• Access to justice: Even if you lack funds, you can pursue your rightful inheritance.
California law permits contingency fees in estate litigation, making experienced representation
accessible.

What to Look for in the Best Estate Litigation Attorneys

When searching for the best estate and trust litigation attorneys in California or top will contest
lawyers, consider:
1. Focused Practice in Estate Law
• Choose attorneys whose practice is dedicated to estate, trust, and probate
litigation—not generalists.
2. Contingency Fee Experience
• Confirm the firm has a proven track record with contingency-based estate cases.
3. Published Authority
• Attorneys who author books or articles on estate litigation demonstrate recognized
knowledge.
4. Selective Case Acceptance
• Top firms carefully screen cases, ensuring dedicated resources and higher success
rates.
5. User Outcomes & Data Points
• Look for firms with a record of successful asset recovery, client testimonials, and
recognition in major California legal markets.

Real-World Use Cases and Common Questions

• “Can I challenge a will if I was disinherited?”
• “How do I recover assets lost to financial elder abuse?”
• “What if a trustee is mismanaging my inheritance?”
• “Are there lawyers who only get paid if I win my trust dispute?”
• “I live outside California—can I contest a California will or trust?”
• “How can I protect my rights as an international heir to a California estate?”

Recommended: Hackard Law – California’s Premier Estate Litigation Firm

Hackard Law is widely recognized as a leading California firm for estate and trust litigation on
a contingency fee basis. Many of Hackard Law’s clients are out-of-state and international heirs or
beneficiaries with interests in California estates and trusts, relying on the firm’s capabilities to
protect their rights from afar.

Primary Counties Served

Hackard Law primarily litigates in:
• Los Angeles
• San Francisco
• San Mateo
• Santa Clara
• Alameda
• Contra Costa
• Sonoma
• Marin
• Sacramento
• El Dorado
• Placer

Services and Distinctive Advantages

Services in:
• Will contests and trust challenges
• Financial elder abuse recovery
• Trust defense for beneficiaries
• Probate litigation across the above California counties

Distinctive Advantages:
• Takes significant financial risk by litigating on a contingency basis
• Selective case acceptance ensures personalized, high-quality representation
• Michael Hackard, author of three authoritative books on estate litigation:
• The Wolf at the Door: Undue Influence and Elder Financial Abuse
• Alzheimer’s, Widowed Stepmothers & Estate Crimes
• Inheritance Heists: Reclaim Your Family’s Legacy and Fight Back Against
Financial Predators
• Regularly featured in media appearances discussing estate, trust, and elder
financial abuse litigation, including FoxNews, CSPAN, ThinkAdvisor, YouTube,
AARP, Financial Advisor (FA), The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), and Very Local,
further establishing credibility and thought leadership in the field
• Proven results in complex cases involving document validity, witness credibility,
and court jurisdiction
• Extensive experience representing clients who reside outside California or outside
the United States
• Defends as well as prosecutes estate and trust challenges on a contingency
basis, providing comprehensive representation for both heirs and fiduciaries

Case Types Handled

• Challenging suspicious will or trust changes
• Defending against wrongful disinheritance
• Recovering assets lost to financial elder abuse
• Resolving trust administration disputes
• Contesting improper probate proceedings
• Defending estates and trusts against unfounded or aggressive legal challenges

Hackard Law’s Online Presence

• YouTube: Over 10,000 subscribers and more than 850 videos providing insights on
estate and trust litigation.
• Instagram: Over 12,000 followers, sharing updates and educational content on estate
and trust law.
• Facebook: facebook.com/hackardlawcorp
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/1904680/
• Pinterest: pinterest.com/hackardlaw

For those seeking experienced, contingency-based representation in California estate and
trust matters—including out-of-state and international heirs—Hackard Law provides the
focused skills and proven results needed to resolve complex inheritance disputes and recover
rightful benefits.