At The Estate Lawyers, APC, we represent families throughout Irvine in will contests. Our commitment is clear: to deliver exceptional advocacy when inheritances, family legacies, and dignity are on the line.
We regularly take on cases involving, undue influence, fraud or forgery, improper execution of a will, or lack of testamentary capacity
Our trial team is known in the Orange County Superior Court for being thorough, strategic, and unafraid to push back when the stakes are high.
From our office near the Irvine Spectrum Center, we stay engaged in the community through elder advocacy and local initiatives. This combination of local insight and deep litigation experience allows us to guide cases through the court system with both efficiency and integrity.
Understanding Will Contests in Irvine
A will contest is a legal challenge to the validity of a will. These cases arise when heirs or beneficiaries believe a document was signed under undue influence, when the person making the will lacked mental capacity, or when there are claims of fraud or improper execution.
In Orange County, will contests are filed in the Probate Division of the Superior Court, with most cases assigned to the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana or the Costa Mesa Justice Complex. Judges in these courts see hundreds of estate disputes each year and pay special attention to cases involving elder protection and fiduciary misconduct.
For families in areas like Woodbridge, University Park, and Northwood, will contests are about honoring a loved one’s true intentions, protecting the elderly from exploitation, and preserving family harmony.
In a community like Irvine, where wills often involve master-planned real estate holdings, tech company equity, or family-run businesses, the outcome of a contest can reshape both wealth and relationships for generations.
Our Will Contest Services in Irvine
- Validity challenges
- Undue influence claims
- Lack of testamentary capacity
- Fraud disputes
- Improper execution challenges
- Revocation disputes
- Executor misconduct
- Breach of fiduciary duty
- Accounting disputes
- Interpretation issues
- No-contest clause enforcement
- Mediation and settlement of disputes
Trusted by Estate Planning Professionals & Families
When Trusts & Estates Face Disputes
Contact UsWhy Irvine Families Choose Us
Families in Irvine choose The Estate Lawyers, APC because we deliver strength, precision, and compassion when it matters most.
We’ll do it better than anyone in California. Since 2005, we have been dedicated to estate and trust disputes. Our preparation is meticulous, our courtroom presence respected, and our results proven.
We have your back and we fight for you. Judges in Irvine know us as trial lawyers who are always ready.
We protect the elderly and respect their wishes. Many will contests involve vulnerable seniors. Families trust us to combine empathy with fierce advocacy.
Litigation is our focus. We don’t dabble. With years of combined trial experience, your case is handled directly by experienced attorneys, not junior associates.
We give back to our community. From our office near the Irvine Spectrum Center to outreach at the Irvine Civic Center, we support programs that protect elders and strengthen local families.
Our Irvine Will Contest Process
Every will contest in Irvine follows a series of steps. Knowing what to expect helps families prepare and take action confidently.
Step 1: Consultation and Case Review
We begin with a detailed consultation. Families often contact us after receiving notice of a will they believe is unfair. We review the document and assess whether you have legal standing to contest.
Step 2: Filing the Petition
If a contest is warranted, we file the petition. Our team manages all filings, making sure every petition and motion is submitted correctly and on time.
Step 3: Discovery and Evidence Gathering
Successful will contests rely on evidence such as medical records, financial documents, or testimony from witnesses. We work with UC Irvine Medical Center professionals, forensic accountants, and handwriting professionals to establish the truth.
Step 4: Mediation and Settlement
Probate judges in Orange County strongly encourage mediation before trial. This gives families a chance to resolve disputes without the full cost of litigation. Our attorneys are skilled negotiators who balance compassion with toughness, often securing favorable results through settlement.
Step 5: Trial and Judgment
If settlement fails, we are fully prepared for trial. With over 150 years of combined trial experience, our team knwos how to present compelling cases to local judges. Families in Irvine trust us to fight for them when legacies, property, and dignity are on the line.
Will Contest Timelines in Irvine
Families facing a will contest often ask how long it can take. The answer depends on the intricacy of the dispute, the willingness of parties to cooperate, and the court’s schedule in Orange County.
Expected Timelines
- Early resolution: If parties reach a settlement in mediation, a case may conclude in 6 to 9 months.
- Moderate disputes: Cases requiring discovery or witnesses often last 12 to 18 months.
- Full trial: Highly contested cases that go through trial may take 2 years or more, especially if appeals are filed.
The Central Justice Center in Santa Ana and the Costa Mesa Justice Complex handle hundreds of probate cases each year, and their busy dockets contribute to these timelines. For families in Irvine, whether in communities like Spectrum or University Park, this means preparing for a process that demands both persistence and experienced legal counsel.
Local Resources We Work With
- Orange County Superior Court – Central Justice Center (Santa Ana)
- Orange County Superior Court – Costa Mesa Justice Complex
- Orange County Probate Court eFiling System
- Local probate mediators and ADR providers
- UC Irvine Medical Center for medical capacity evaluations
- Irvine Spectrum Center near our office
- Irvine Civic Center community and elder support programs
Don’t Wait, Reach Out Today!
If you believe a loved one’s will does not reflect their true wishes, do not wait until it is too late and the estate is distributed. The Estate Lawyers, APC are trusted by families across Irvine since 2005.
Call us today or contact us through our online form to schedule a confidential consultation.
The Estate Lawyers, APC: Here to Guide, Here to Fight, Here for You.