San Diego Estate Litigation Attorney

Whenever estate issues arise, emotions are running high. You may have just experienced the death of a loved one, and now you may be facing the complexity of an estate issue. If a family member is trying to steal part of your inheritance or a trustee is taking advantage of you, you need an experienced lawyer who can help you navigate these complex disputes.

At Albertson & Davidson, LLP, we have experience handling nearly any type of estate dispute from start to finish. Our team has recovered more than $300 million in settlements and verdicts for our clients, and we are ready to go to work for you.

Call us today at (858) 209-2309 to schedule a consultation with a San Diego estate litigation attorney.

San Diego Estate Litigation Attorney

Why Choosing Albertson & Davidson, LLP Makes Sense

If you find yourself in the middle of an estate dispute, you may have a million questions about what to do. Navigating these disputes can be tricky – especially when family members are involved. At Albertson & Davidson, LLP, we have the experience you need on your side to navigate an estate dispute and get a successful outcome. Some of the reasons clients in San Diego choose us are:

  • Our lawyers focus solely on complex estate litigation issues, so we have extensive experience with these situations
  • We pursue these cases on a contingency fee basis which means that you will not have to pay anything up front
  • We will give you the personal attention you deserve and fight diligently to get you the outcome you desire

When you need an estate litigation lawyer in San Diego, make the call to Albertson & Davidson, LLP. Schedule your consultation today with our firm and let us help you protect your rights and get the justice you deserve.

Why Do I Need a San Diego Estate Litigation Attorney?

Estates often involve large sums of money, and money often makes people do things they shouldn’t. If a family member, trustee, or someone else is trying to take advantage of you, an experienced estate litigation attorney can help. Some ways an estate litigation attorney can help you include:

  • Thoroughly reviewing all estate documents to understand your legal rights
  • Answering all your questions about the legal process and providing you sound legal advice about how to proceed with your claim
  • Filing a will or trust contest when you believe documents may be invalid as outlined under California probate code
  • Demanding estate accounting records and reviewing them for issues
  • Holding fiduciaries responsible for performing their legal duties
  • Filing a lawsuit in probate court and fighting to protect your rights

Do not stand by and allow yourself to be taken advantage of while someone steals assets that should belong to you. Your time to challenge many types of estate disputes is limited, so don’t wait until the deadline has passed. Contact a San Diego trust litigation lawyer from Albertson & Davidson, LLP today to schedule a consultation and get the help you deserve.

The Basics of Estate Litigation in California

Estate litigation matters in California typically follow a similar process regardless of the type of issue involved. While there may be some differences in the details, the general steps that estate litigation will go through are as follows:

Pre-Litigation

Prior to beginning litigation, an experienced lawyer can help evaluate your claim and assess its validity. Wills, trust documents, and other information can be reviewed to determine your legal rights. An attorney can help determine whether you are an “interested party” in regards to the estate and have standing to raise an estate dispute.

Filing the Petition

Once it is determined that you have standing and legal grounds to raise a dispute, a petition will be filed with the probate court. Once the complaint has been filed, the other party will be given a chance to file an answer to your allegations. This process of filing a complaint and answer starts the litigation process.

You can read more about the probate petition process on the California Courts Probate Self-Help Guide.

Discovery Phase

The discovery phase is when each party involved will spend time gathering evidence to prove their case and sharing that evidence with the opposing party. Common methods used to gather evidence during discovery include:

  • Depositions
  • Written interrogatories
  • Requests for admission
  • Requests for production

The discovery process allows each side to understand the strengths and weaknesses of their case. Discovery can help both sides with settlement negotiations.

Settlement Negotiations & Trial

Once all the evidence has been discovered, settlement negotiations usually take place. Negotiations allow both sides to have a final say in the outcome of the case, and they allow the parties to come to an agreement that works for them. Sometimes mediation is used in an attempt to settle these disputes.

If a settlement cannot be reached, the case will proceed to trial. Both sides will present their evidence to a judge and argue their position on how the law should be applied. The judge will listen to all the evidence and make a decision. Our team has extensive experience going to trial for estate litigation, so we can help prepare you for trial and help you understand what to expect.

Common Estate Litigation Issues

Estate litigation can involve a number of different types of issues. From accusations of stolen inheritances to mishandling of trust administration, our estate litigation lawyers have the experience necessary to handle them all. Some common types of issues that arise in estate litigation matters include:

Estate matters can be complex, and you need a lawyer with extensive experience handling these types of issues to give you the best chance of success. Contact Albertson & Davidson, LLP today to put our experience to work for you.

Reach Out to a San Diego Estate Litigation Attorney Today

Estate disputes are never easy. Taking on family members to challenge a will or raise some other type of dispute can be difficult. At Albertson & Davidson, LLP, our experienced team knows how to handle these sensitive and complex matters. We can help you with every detail of your dispute and will fight to help you win. After all, our firm motto is “Stand. Fight. Win.”

Call today at (858) 209-2309 or contact us online to speak to a San Diego estate litigation lawyer who is ready to get started helping you.