In brief: When a financial advisor or accountant personally serves as trustee of a Beverly Hills family trust, beneficiaries can seek accountings, challenge conflicts of interest, and pursue remedies for a breach of trust. Hackard Law handles these disputes on contingency: no fee and no costs if there is no recovery, unless your written agreement provides otherwise.
By Michael Hackard, California trust and estate litigation attorney. Last reviewed October 26, 2026. Updated November 3, 2026.
In Beverly Hills, a long-time financial advisor or accountant may be named as the individual trustee of a family trust. That role carries duties to the trust’s beneficiaries. Questions can arise when the same person controls investments, values assets, and decides what information the family receives.
Burton E. Green named the area for Beverly, Massachusetts. When oil exploration failed, his Rodeo Land and Water Company subdivided the land, and the Beverly Hills Hotel, finished in 1912, drew buyers. The city incorporated in 1914.
An individual advisor who accepts the trusteeship must act in the beneficiaries’ interests, manage assets prudently, and provide required information and accountings. A prior advisory relationship does not excuse self-dealing or a failure to account.
Hackard Law handles disputes involving individual advisors or accountants who personally serve as trustees. The firm does not handle claims against banks, brokerages, or corporate trustees.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census, 2025 population estimates, and American Community Survey 2020–2024.
Trust and probate cases for Beverly Hills are heard in the probate departments of Los Angeles County Superior Court, Stanley Mosk Courthouse, 111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, California 90012, approximately 10 driving miles from Beverly Hills. Actual distance varies by starting point and route. Hackard Law’s office is in Sacramento County. The firm handles matters in Los Angeles County Superior Court and throughout California.
Hackard Law represents families on a contingency basis. The fee is a percentage of the recovery, stated in a written agreement before work begins. The firm advances the costs of the case, which are repaid from the recovery. If there is no recovery, you owe no fee and no costs, unless your written agreement provides otherwise.
Yes. An individual financial advisor who accepts the role of trustee must comply with the trustee’s duties. Beneficiaries may seek an accounting and remedies for a breach, including removal or recovery of losses, depending on the facts.
Hackard Law handles disputes involving individual advisors or accountants who personally serve as trustees. The firm does not handle claims against banks, brokerages, or corporate trustees.
Generally yes. A trustee must invest and manage trust assets as a prudent investor would, and must diversify unless, under the circumstances, it is prudent not to (Probate Code §§ 16047, 16048).
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Hackard Law’s office is in Sacramento County.
Hackard Law represents families throughout California. hackardlaw.com
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(916) 313-3030