At The Estate Lawyers, APC, we represent clients in inheritance disputes across California, with strong reach throughout Southern California. Since July 2005, our team has focused on protecting families, honoring the wishes of elders, and pushing cases forward efficiently with clear communication and courtroom-ready strategy.
According to the Judicial Council of California’s 2025 Court Statistics Report, California superior courts saw 63,609 probate filings in fiscal year 2023 to 2024, which shows how often these matters arise and why experienced counsel matters.
We take on the heavy lift so you do not have to guess what comes next. You will get a straightforward plan, organized deadlines, and practical guidance on evidence, filings, and what to expect at each hearing, with a team that fights for you while keeping the process respectful, especially when an older loved one is involved.
As one client put it, “This is a firm with top-notch litigators,” reflecting the level of advocacy clients expect when stakes are high.
Our goal is to make a stressful situation feel structured and manageable, from the first document review through resolution in court or settlement discussions. Whether you are contesting a will or defending a trustee, we are here to guide you every step of the way.
What Is An Inheritance Dispute And Why It Matters In California
An inheritance dispute is a legal conflict about who should receive property after someone dies, or how a trust or estate is being managed. In California, these disputes usually show up in two places: probate court (often involving a will and the probate estate) and trust litigation (involving a living trust and the trustee’s actions).
Even when a family agrees on “what Mom wanted,” disagreements can arise over what the documents actually say, what happened near the end of life, or whether someone handled assets fairly.
Common reasons inheritance disputes start include:
- Undue influence: a caregiver, relative, or new “friend” pressures an elder to change a will or trust
- Lack of capacity: concerns that the person did not understand the document they signed
- Fraud or forgery: signatures or pages that do not match the facts
- Fiduciary misconduct: a trustee or executor hides information, favors one beneficiary, or mishandles money
- Confusing or outdated documents: multiple versions, missing amendments, or bad coordination between a will and a trust
If you wait too long, you may lose the chance to contest, even if your concerns are serious.
Our Inheritance Dispute Service In California
- Will contests
- Trust contests
- Undue influence claims
- Elder financial abuse actions
- Breach of fiduciary duty
- Trustee removal and suspension
- Executor removal and surcharge
- Accountings and forensic review
- Probate litigation and petitions
- Settlement negotiations
Trusted by Estate Planning Professionals & Families
When Trusts & Estates Face Disputes
Contact UsWhy Clients Choose The Estate Lawyers, APC
Clients choose us because we are built for the reality of conflict. We prepare each matter as if it may end up in a hearing or trial, and we know how to present evidence, challenge documents, and handle hostile dynamics without losing focus on what matters: protecting the elderly and respecting their wishes.
Key reasons clients hire our firm include:
- Litigation-first focus: Our practice centers on contested trust and probate matters, not transactional estate planning.
- Courtroom capability: Strong advocacy in motions, evidentiary hearings, discovery, mediations, and trial when needed.
- Recognized credentials: Board approved and respected professional recognitions (including Super Lawyers and Avvo).
- Deep experience: Over 150 years of combined experience handling high-stakes trust and estate disputes.
- Local insight: Strong local rapport with judges and court procedures across Southern California, helping cases move with fewer surprises.
- Client-centered culture: A passionate team that truly helps clients, while also giving back to the local community.
Common Inheritance Disputes We Handle
We help clients across Southern California with disputes like:
- Will contests: Claims that a will is invalid due to capacity issues, undue influence, fraud, or improper signing.
- Trust contests: Disputes over trust validity, amendments, or trustee actions. These can be time-sensitive, which generally limits a trust contest to 120 days after trustee notice (or 60 days after trust terms are delivered within that 120-day window, whichever is later).
- Omitted heir or omitted spouse claims: Situations where a child, spouse, or other heir believes they were left out by mistake or due to later life events like marriage or birth.
- Undue influence and lack of capacity: Pressure, manipulation, isolation, or cognitive decline affecting late-in-life changes to a will or trust.
- Fraud or forgery: Allegations of fake signatures, altered pages, or false statements used to change inheritance outcomes.
- Elder financial abuse: Taking, transferring, or pressuring an elder into gifting or signing away assets.
- Asset concealment and beneficiary disputes: Missing property, secret accounts, fights over personal items, or disagreements about distributions.
- No-contest clause concerns: Questions about whether a challenge might trigger a penalty clause, depending on the document and circumstances.
- Creditor disputes: Conflicts over debts, claims against the estate, and what should be paid before beneficiaries receive anything.
With over 201,055 attorneys on active status in California as of December 30, 2025 (per the State Bar of California’s demographics data), choosing a team that focuses on probate and trust litigation can make a real difference in strategy and outcomes.
Key Documents To Gather For Your Inheritance Dispute Case
- The will(s), trust, amendments, and any certificates of trust
- Death certificate and basic family information (heirs and beneficiaries)
- Trustee or executor notices, letters, and timelines of key events
- Financial records: bank statements, brokerage statements, real estate documents, business records
- Communications: emails, texts, letters, caregiver notes, and calendars
- Medical or capacity-related records you can legally access
- A list of witnesses and how they fit into the story (who, when, what they saw)
Get To Know The Estate Lawyers, APC
The Estate Lawyers, APC is a Southern California probate and trust litigation-only law firm, established in July 2005. We focus on inheritance disputes where families need a firm advocate in court, not a document-prep shop.
Clients come to us when the stakes are high and the timeline is tight, and they want a team that will show up prepared and fight for what is right.
Our work is rooted in an ethical focus to protect the elderly and respect their wishes. That means taking financial elder abuse and undue influence allegations seriously, moving quickly to preserve evidence, and pushing for court orders when someone is being pressured, isolated, or taken advantage of.
Because we are in court regularly, we have strong local connections and rapport with judges across Southern California courts. Familiarity with local probate departments, filing practices, and courtroom expectations helps cases run cleaner, with fewer surprises and fewer avoidable delays.
We are also a passionate team that truly helps clients, and we stay active in giving back to the local community. If you are considering legal action, the first step is usually getting the right case facts organized, identifying deadlines, and confirming the court and venue where your dispute will be heard.
Our Client Process
1. Consultation and intake
We start by listening to your story, identifying what matters most, and gathering the key documents such as the will, trust, amendments, accountings, and court papers. We also flag any immediate risks, like assets being moved or a vulnerable elder being pressured.
2. Case assessment
Our team reviews the facts, the documents, and the procedural posture, then explains your options. You will get a clear read on strengths, weak spots, likely timelines, and what it can take to win.
3. Strategy and plan
We map out a focused plan built around your goal, whether that is enforcing the decedent’s wishes, removing a bad actor, or protecting an elderly family member. We define what evidence we need, who to depose, and what relief to seek from the court.
4. Negotiation and mediation
Many disputes can be resolved without trial, but only with leverage and preparation. We pursue settlement when it protects you, and we push back hard when the other side is stalling, hiding information, or trying to pressure a vulnerable beneficiary.
5. Court filings and litigation
When court action is necessary, we prepare petitions, responses, discovery, and motions with precision. With strong local rapport across Southern California courts, we know how to present your position clearly and keep the case moving.
6. Resolution and follow-through
We drive the matter to a signed settlement or court order, then help make sure the judgment is actually carried out, including distributions, transfers, and compliance.
What Our Clients Say
“Amy and Michelle are some of the most caring and compassionate people you will meet.”
Clients often come to us stressed, grieving, or dealing with conflict at home. This feedback reflects how our team shows up with empathy while staying focused on protecting the elderly and respecting their wishes.
“This is a firm with top-notch litigators.”
When a case turns contentious, you need counsel that can stand firm in court and push for a fair result. This review speaks to the level of advocacy clients feel they receive when it matters most.
“They were able to set it up and get it approved in just one hearing… fast, reliable, and accurate results.”
Probate and trust matters can feel like they drag on forever. This comment highlights what clients value about our follow-through: we prepare carefully, move efficiently, and keep the work precise.
“Administratively… they let nothing fall through the cracks and follow up in a timely manner.”
Inheritance disputes often involve deadlines, filings, and multiple parties. Clients notice when a team stays organized, tracks details, and keeps momentum so nothing gets missed.
“They answered all my questions and explained different scenarios in easy-to-understand language.”
Good legal strategy only helps if you understand your options. This feedback shows our commitment to clear communication, practical explanations, and making sure you feel informed at every step.
Local Resources For California Families
- California Superior Courts (Find Your Court): Locate the correct superior court by county and access each court’s probate division page, calendars, and local rules.
- California Courts Forms (Probate): Official Judicial Council forms commonly used in probate proceedings.
- California Department of Justice (DOJ): Consumer resources and information related to fraud, scams, and reporting options.
- California DOJ: Medi-Cal Estate Recovery Information: General information about Medi-Cal estate recovery, notices, and FAQs.
- California Department of Social Services (CDSS): Adult Protective Services (APS): Learn what APS does and find the county APS office.
- California Department of Aging: Statewide aging services, long-term care resources, and ombudsman information.
- California Long-Term Care Ombudsman: Information on residents’ rights and the ombudsman program.
- State Bar of California: Attorney search, complaint information, and public education resources.
- State Bar of California: Lawyer Referral Services: Find lawyer referral services by county.
Schedule a Consultation
If you believe a will or trust does not reflect your loved one’s true wishes, or you suspect undue influence, elder abuse, or a breach of fiduciary duty, get legal help early.
The Estate Lawyers, APC fights for families across California with a clear plan, straight answers, and courtroom-ready advocacy. We have your back, and we will fight for you.
We respect the elderly and their wishes, and we act fast to protect what matters. Submit your request and we will respond as soon as possible.