“Nothing gained, much lost” describes lost opportunity. In our field of estate, trust, and elder financial abuse litigation, it can describe lawsuits gone wild. Most estate and trust litigants have not experienced the rigors of litigation. Once experienced, few would describe it as fun. They might describe it as a necessary choice. Undue influence on elders that results in estate, trust or elder financial abuse is often the lawsuit’s catalyst. Once started, lawsuits should not take on a life of their own. Civil litigation is designed to gain civil ends. Not to become life’s sole focus. The common end is the recovery of money or real property. And, the recovery is often following a pretrial settlement. Some 97% of all civil [...]

I’m Michael Hackard. For over 40 years, I’ve had the opportunity to help you in your most difficult times. And wrongful estate, trust and elder financial abuse takings may happen in a matter of days but the impact on a family, loss of income and assets, can last a long time – maybe a lifetime. Our job is to make sure that your justice compensates your family for its losses and protects them from further injuries. Remember, we’re not just lawyers. We’re your lawyers. Hackard Law: For Abused Beneficiaries and Heirs. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXTIgleBz3o[/embed][...]

When an elder suffers financial abuse, it’s more complicated than just how much was taken. Many times it involves a caregiver, an elder adult impaired by dementia or Alzheimer’s, a wrongful transfer of property either before or after the older adult’s death – it’s so important to get the facts right as soon as possible. Our estate and trust litigation lawyers need to be investigating these cases – day one. All trust litigation cases are not the same. Time is of the essence. Hackard Law: For Abused Beneficiaries and Heirs. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbiiZki-ics[/embed][...]

If you’re an injured trust beneficiary or a wrongly disinherited heir, remember this. We’re not just lawyers, we’re your lawyers. Hackard Law: For Abused Beneficiaries and Heirs. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04NSKpJzWyQ[/embed][...]

If you’re a wronged trust beneficiary or an injured disinherited heir, it’s important that you hire your lawyers, sooner, rather than later. Witnesses move away. Memories wane. Evidence vanishes. Assets go missing. To delay is deadly. Hackard Law: For Abused Beneficiaries and Heirs. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5w6uFGrqX_I[/embed][...]

All of us are now enduring the COVID-19 pandemic. And, while we’re in the same storm we’re in different boats. This is life. And in life we know that attitude counts. Particularly an attitude of gratitude. Now, in my fifth decade of law practice, I’m reflecting upon how attitude affects legal cases. A victor attitude is an acceptance, an embrace, of our personal responsibility for our actions. It is not a false confidence. It doesn’t get lost in blame. It is a commitment to endure – to persevere. For those grounded in the Judeo-Christian tradition it is an expectation that God is at work in our lives – to heal, to mend, and to provide. We have all had challenging times – health, grief, and other losses. And, in lookin[...]

Have You Ever Wondered What Happens If You Die Without a Will in California? Sometimes we get so busy with daily life that we forget to take time out to plan for big life events, like distribution of our assets after we pass away. Writing a will and creating an estate plan is one of those important things on our list that we intend to get to someday, but there never seem to be enough hours in a day. Unfortunately, this means some people pass away without a will. So you may be wondering what happens if you die without a will in California? If you die in California without creating a valid will, then you’re said to die “intestate.” This means the distribution of your remaining property and assets will not necessarily proceed a[...]

Placer County is stunning – graced with a breathtaking national forest, picturesque parks and Lake Tahoe, one of the most beautiful natural wonders of the world. The county has a rich and storied past – and, a vibrant present. It is a great draw for people of all ages. It’s population is over 400,000 people. About 20% of its residents are 65 years and older. It is this age group – seniors – who are sometimes targeted for elder financial abuse – financial exploitation by a wrongdoer who uses or takes the assets of a vulnerable elder adult for his or her own financial benefit. These takings can occur by outright theft, fraud, or even changes in estate plans. One of the most tragic financial takings is that of the family home[...]

Over 200 million Americans are staying home – sheltering in place. Covid-19, the culprit behind our need to take cover, is capturing the world’s headlines. And, we Americans, overwhelmed by minute-by-minute breaking news, want our questions answered. Headlines are not enough. And, the first question is how does the Coronavirus impact our bodies. The answer to the question is better shown, than told. So, thanks to the generosity of High Impact, a leading team of animators, forensic experts and physicians, this most important question is answered. High Impact is nationally known for assisting firms like Hackard Law in telling stories in ways that mere words cannot describe. The leaders of High Impact freely share this video wi[...]

When someone wrongfully takes the family home in an estate or trust dispute, Sacramento heirs and beneficiaries end up frozen out and seemingly short of options. Sacramento’s housing market has seen tremendous growth, and the median home value is just over $350,000. Unfortunately, higher real estate prices will tempt wrongdoers to steal the family home through fraud, undue influence and elder financial exploitation. There are around 574,000 owner-occupied houses in Sacramento County, and residents 50 and older dominate ownership statistics at 65%. Senior citizens are more susceptible to fraud and undue influence, especially those suffering cognitive impairments like Alzheimer’s or dementia, which means they’re more vulnerable to[...]