At The Estate Lawyers, APC, we focus on inheritance disputes, bringing over 150 years of collective courtroom experience to families across San Diego County.
Since 2005, our litigators have earned a reputation with local judges for precision, persistence, and compassion. From will contests and trust disputes to fiduciary breaches and elder financial abuse, we fight to protect your rightful inheritance while guiding you through every step with clarity and care.
Inheritance disputes are among the most stressful legal battles families face, especially when real estate is involved. In San Diego, where the median home value is around $850,000 (Zillow), property is the most contested asset.
Families turn to The Estate Lawyers, APC because we bring not only the litigation strength needed to win in court, but also the compassion to guide clients through one of the most difficult times in their lives.
What Are Inheritance Disputes and Why They Matter in San Diego
An inheritance dispute happens when family members or beneficiaries challenge a will, a trust, or the actions of a fiduciary. In San Diego, the most common grounds include undue influence, lack of capacity, and fraud. These conflicts often arise after a loved one passes, when emotions are high and significant assets are at stake.
Disputes can involve disagreements over whether a will was valid, whether a trust amendment was the product of pressure, or whether an executor mishandled estate property.
Local context matters. All inheritance disputes in the city run through the San Diego Superior Court Probate Division at the Central Courthouse on Union Street, and strict deadlines apply. The probate code gives challengers just 120 days to contest a will after it’s admitted to probate.
Families in neighborhoods such as La Jolla and North Park are also seeing more disputes tied to the region’s aging population and rising home equity.
Addressing these disputes early is critical.
Why Families Choose The Estate Lawyers, APC
At The Estate Lawyers, APC, inheritance disputes are at the core of what we do. Families across San Diego turn to us because we combine litigation strength with compassion, protecting what matters most when estates and property are contested.
- Nearly 20 Years Serving San Diego. Since 2005, we’ve represented families from La Jolla and Oceanside to San Marcos and Chula Vista.
- 150+ Years of Combined Trial Experience. Our seasoned litigators know the nuances of probate courts throughout the county.
- Direct Representation. Clients meet directly with the attorneys who will fight for them and are never handed off to junior staff.
- Respected by Local Courts. We appear regularly in the San Diego Superior Court, earning a reputation for precision, persistence, and professionalism.
- Trusted for Compassion. We guide families through some of life’s hardest conflicts with clear communication and care.
Our mission is to protect families, resolve disputes, and secure rightful inheritances across San Diego.
Our Inheritance Dispute Process in San Diego
Every inheritance case is unique, but the path through the San Diego probate courts follows a clear series of steps. We guide families through each phase with strategy and care, making sure deadlines are met and evidence is fully developed.
1. Consultation
We begin by confirming whether you have legal standing to challenge or defend an estate action. During this stage, we review wills, trusts, and accountings, and explain your rights under California probate law.
2. Filing in San Diego Superior Court
If grounds exist, we file petitions in the Probate Division at the Central Courthouse on Union Street. This courthouse oversees all inheritance disputes in the county and sets strict schedules for hearings and filings.
3. Investigation and Discovery
Our team works with local forensic accountants and CPA firms who focus on probate and trust matters. They provide critical forensic accounting, examining trust statements, deeds, and financial transactions to uncover hidden transfers or mismanagement.
In cases involving questions of mental capacity, we often draw on evaluations from clinics such as UC San Diego Health’s Memory Disorders program, which provide professional testimony about cognitive function.
4. Mediation and Settlement Efforts
Many disputes can be resolved through mediation. Judges in San Diego frequently encourage settlement to avoid costly trials. We leverage evidence and reports to negotiate favorable outcomes while protecting your inheritance rights.
5. Trial and Judgment
When resolution is not possible, we proceed to trial. Our attorneys have 150+ years of combined courtroom experience and maintain strong rapport with local probate judges. That credibility can make a decisive difference in intricate disputes involving fraud, undue influence, or elder financial abuse.
Our Inheritance Dispute Services
Our practice covers the full range of inheritance disputes in San Diego:
- Will contests
- Trust disputes
- Beneficiary disputes
- Fiduciary breach claims
- Executor or trustee removal
- Accounting disputes
- Elder financial abuse cases
- Capacity + undue influence challenges
- Fraudulent transfer claims
- Real estate inheritance disputes
- Business succession disputes
- Mediation + settlement negotiations
Trusted by Estate Planning Professionals & Families
When Trusts & Estates Face Disputes
Contact UsGet to Know The Estate Lawyers, APC
Since 2005, The Estate Lawyers, APC has focused exclusively on probate and estate litigation in San Diego and across Southern California.
Our office maintains close working relationships with judges and practitioners at the San Diego Superior Court Probate Division. This reputation is built on integrity, precision, and results.
Unlike general practice firms, we do not “dabble” in probate, litigation is our entire career focus. Above all, we are committed to preserving family legacies, protecting rightful inheritances, and making sure that assets are passed on as intended.
Local Resources We Work With in San Diego
Inheritance disputes rarely happen in isolation. Our attorneys coordinate with a range of local resources:
- San Diego Superior Court – Probate Division at the Central Courthouse (Union Street)
- Adult Protective Services (APS), hotline 800-339-4661, for suspected elder abuse
- UC San Diego Health – Memory Disorders Clinic, often called for professional testimony on capacity
- CPA firms focusing on probate and trust accounting for forensic financial reviews
- Scripps and Sharp hospital networks, providing medical records critical in proving or defending capacity
Take the Next Step Today
If you are facing an inheritance dispute in San Diego, act quickly. Deadlines are strict, evidence can vanish, and waiting often strengthens the other side. The Estate Lawyers, APC are here to guide, here to fight, and here for you.
Call us today to schedule a confidential consultation with a litigation attorney. We serve clients throughout San Diego County.
The Estate Lawyers, APC: Here to Guide, Here to Fight, Here for You