Who Litigates Northern California Trust Beneficiary Disputes?

Beneficiaries and heirs of California trusts and estates face some daunting tasks if they’re looking to challenge partial or full disinheritance. The first task – that of retaining experienced and competent counsel – is accelerated by short timeframes unique to trust, probate and estate disputes.

California probate law is both complex and distinctive. Many law firms not focusing on this type of litigation assign estate planners with limited experience in handling litigation in the probate courts. On the other hand, civil litigators with limited experience in estates and trusts may be assigned and find themselves surprised by the particularities of estates and trusts contests.

Hackard Law focuses on contested trusts and estates. Our trust and estate litigation attorneys are experienced in the litigation procedures and tactics common to these disputes. It certainly helps to have in-depth understanding of trust and estate law supported by decades of experience in high-stakes litigation.

While partial or full disinheritance is often a catalyst for these cases, the particular details of each case cover the spectrum of estate and trust law. We regularly litigate claims of breach of fiduciary duty, contested heirships, will and trust validity, elder financial abuse, undue influence, capacity, fraudulent transfers, fiduciary self-dealing, trustee and executor removals, trust modifications, pretermitted heirs, partition actions, interpretation of estate planning instruments, closely held businesses and contested accountings.

Other legal matters often impact trust and estate litigation. Hackard Law regularly coordinates with attorneys that are addressing clients’ bankruptcy, tax, family law, insurance and real estate issues. We are often asked to speak about topics related to trust, estate, probate and elder financial abuse litigation.

We write about this and share our knowledge with the public, professionals in the field and other lawyers. I’ve written two books related to trust and estate litigation –  The Wolf at the Door: Undue Influence and Elder Financial Abuse and Alzheimer’s, Widowed Stepmothers & Estate Crimes: Cause, Action, and Response in Cases of Fractured Inheritance, Lost Inheritance and Disinheritance.

We also share our knowledge on our Hackard Law YouTube channel. We address common problems like trustee removal, power of attorney abuse, establishing undue influence, and the subtle differences between trust-fund baby litigation and challenges brought by disinherited or abused beneficiaries.

Hackard Law is often retained by wealthy individuals to represent them in some of California’s most significant estate and trust disputes. We are frequently interviewed by radio, magazine, newspaper and electronic press outlets.

We have trust and estate litigation capability in both Northern and Southern California. Our key Northern California venues include Santa Clara, San Mateo, Alameda, Contra Costa, Sonoma and Sacramento Counties.

We focus on substantial cases where we think that we can make a significant difference and there is a responsible party who can be made financially accountable for their wrongdoing.

If you would like to speak with us about your case, call us at 916 313-3030.

We’ll be happy to hear from you.