Our litigation attorneys are extensively experienced in handling Trust and Estate controversies, particularly those that address nuanced issues involving complex family dynamics. Our national Trust and Estates Controversy team features probate and trust litigators who work with clients and colleagues across all practice groups to discover solutions for a wide range of clients. Our Trust and Estate Controversy lawyers prioritize conflict resolution outside of court whenever possible, but are ready to provide our clients with strong, winning representation in litigation matters.
We represent individual and institutional trustees, executors, personal representatives, guardians, conservators, beneficiaries of trusts and estates, and the trust departments of banks and financial institutions in trust and estate matters across the country. Our Trust and Estate controversy attorneys frequently serve as court-appointed counsel for alleged disabled adults and as Guardians Ad Litem.
Clients rely on our counsel in the following areas:
- Will and trust contests
- Will and trust construction
- Citations to recover
- Probate and trust litigation
- Charitable entity litigation
- Trust reformation
- Breach of fiduciary duty claims
- Fiduciary litigation
- Claims for fiduciary and legal fees
- Probate, trust, and estate administration
- Expert witness services
In guardianship and conservatorship cases, our litigators have a depth of experience, including handling the following matters:
- Determining the validity of advance directives, including powers of attorney and designations of patient advocates
- Determining whether an alleged disabled person needs a guardian or conservator
- Determining the most appropriate guardian or conservator for an alleged disabled person
- Handling breach of fiduciary duty claims
- Removal of fiduciaries
- Handling elder abuse and financial exploitation claims
- Drafting citations to recover assets
Our Trust and Estate Controversy lawyers also counsel clients regarding wealth preservation and estate planning strategies. We analyze and resolve difficult tax issues linked to estates, trusts, estate and inheritance tax, gift tax, and income tax, with a focus on resolving complex family and business-related issues.
