When a trust is set up someone is trying to control the future from the grave. Trying to protect assets that they have worked long and hard for and trying to protect the ones they love.

Unfortunately, not everything can be planned for and controlled. We only do the best we can. When the original settlor who set up the trust dies or becomes unable to perform their duties as the trustee, problems arise over who should take over and how they should perform their duties.

If there is a dispute over a trust, how trust monies should be paid out, who should control what assets, or whether or not someone should or should not have rights as a beneficiary, this is exactly what trust litigation addresses.

I can help you understand your rights, and help you protect those rights.

Similar to trust litigation, but probate litigation takes place within the probate case that is handling a will or considering what to do in the absence of a will. Questions such as who is entitled to shares of the estate and to what degree or percentage are parties entitled to assets of the estate are often the most common issues that are fought about

You may feel that you not getting what is fair or what you should be entitled to. You may feel that someone else getting an inheritance isn’t fair based upon your unique circumstances and the facts of your case.

That’s where I come in. I can tell you your legal rights and the legal rights of other parties making claims. I can outline for you your best-case scenario and worst-case scenario. I commit myself to assisting my clients to my fullest extent.

Depending on whether your loved one died with a will, with a trust, or without either of the above will dictate how the estate is administered and the assets distributed. The goal is to create a plan of action to fairly and expeditiously divide up the ownership of the assets and report to the supervising court (if applicable) what steps were taken. During the probate process, we will file the appropriate paperwork with the court, assist with gathering information on all assets of the estate, transferring assets from the deceased to the estate, managing and liquidating assets as appropriate, locating beneficiaries, and paying taxes and other debts.

Unfortunately, probate is through a court and because we are operating on the court’s timelines, the process will take a minimum of 12 months. That said, will diligent efforts, organization, and timely replies to the court and beneficiaries, it is possible for this process to be concluded in less than a year.

The fees are set by statute and all attorneys should charge the same rates.