Inheritance Heists Ch. 5: Countering Lies

I’m Mike Hackard with Hackard Law.  I’m sharing passages from my new book Inheritance Heists – and I hope that they can help you avoid estate disaster.

Today I’m going to continue covering the topic dishonesty from the opposing side in an inheritance dispute. You know the wrongdoer lied in order to hijack trust or estate assets – maybe even the family home. So what kind of strategies work to uncover and counter lies?

Thorough discovery: Use depositions, interrogatories, and document requests to uncover inconsistencies.

Forensic analysis: Employ experts to examine documents for signs of alteration.

Witness interviews: Speak with family members, friends, and associates who might have relevant information.

Financial audits: Trace financial transactions to uncover hidden assets or fraudulent claims.

There are also legal remedies for opposing party dishonesty. These include:

Motions for sanctions: Request court penalties for discovery abuses or presenting false evidence.

Perjury charges: In severe cases, lying under oath can lead to criminal charges.

Amended pleadings: Update your legal filings to address newly uncovered deceptions.

Fee shifting: Ask the court to make the dishonest party pay your client’s legal fees.

Ultimately the consequences of dishonesty – legal, financial, and personal – far outweigh any short-term gains. And, as John’s Gospel says, the truth shall set you free.

If you’ve come up against a wrongdoer who is lying in an estate dispute and you need help, you can call us at Hackard Law: 916-313-3030.  We want to hear your story.