Inheritance Disputes
California Inheritance Dispute Attorneys — Protecting Your Rights
California Inheritance Dispute & Beneficiary Rights Attorneys — Serving SF Bay Area, Sacramento, Los Angeles & Statewide
FREE CONSULT: (415) 275-1492
Inheritance Disputes
California Inheritance Dispute & Beneficiary Rights Attorneys — Serving SF Bay Area, Sacramento, Los Angeles & Statewide
Losing a loved one is painful enough — discovering that your inheritance has been stolen, mismanaged, or unfairly denied can be devastating.
We fight to protect heirs, beneficiaries, and families across California from trust abuse, estate fraud, and fiduciary misconduct. If your inheritance rights have been violated, call (415) 275-1492 for a free case evaluation.
California Probate Code §16061.7 — once it passes, the contest is barred for good.
Up to 8 hours of attorney review at a predictable cost. No surprise hourly billing.
Initial consultation → ICA review → written strategy memo → optional add-on services.
Practice scope
Our Inheritance Disputes & Beneficiary Rights attorneys handle a wide range of cases throughout California, including:
When a will is challenged due to undue influence, lack of capacity, fraud, or improper execution, we fight to uphold or contest the document depending on our client's position.
Disagreements over trust terms, trustee actions, or trust validity require experienced counsel. We represent both beneficiaries challenging trustees and fiduciaries defending their actions.
When the probate process becomes contested — whether over asset distribution, creditor claims, or estate administration — we provide aggressive representation to protect your interests.
Trustees and executors owe legal duties to beneficiaries. When they self-deal, fail to account, withhold information, or mismanage assets, we hold them accountable.
When vulnerable adults are exploited through undue influence, fraud, or financial manipulation, we pursue claims under California's Elder Abuse Act to recover assets and seek penalties.
If you have been unexpectedly removed from a will or trust, we analyze the circumstances to determine whether the change was valid or the result of undue influence or incapacity.
Beneficiaries have legal rights to information, accountings, and distributions. When trustees fail to honor these rights, we compel compliance through legal action.
Our process
Step 1
We listen carefully to your concerns, background, and goals. If the matter is a fit for our practice, we proceed with an Initial Case Assessment.
Step 2
Our ICA includes up to 8 hours of attorney time for document review, legal research, and strategy development. We analyze estate planning documents, trust instruments, probate filings, and correspondence. This is done at a flat fee for predictable costs and at a highly discounted hourly rate — all so our clients can fully understand their inheritance rights before committing to costly litigation. We assess your standing, possible claims, evidentiary challenges, and statute of limitations.
Step 3
You'll receive a written memorandum summarizing our findings, conclusions, and suggested next steps. This allows you to proceed confidently with litigation, negotiation, or mediation — or not proceed at all — with full knowledge of your legal position.
Step 4
We draft and issue formal demand letters to the disputed party, outlining your legal rights, the violations of those rights, and demanding corrective action. We also offer negotiation representation and expedited service as flat-fee add-ons tailored to the urgency and complexity of your case.
After these four steps, our clients are in a position to make an informed decision on their next steps, which often include settlement negotiations, undergoing mediation, or initiating litigation. Regardless of the ultimate decision, we are with our clients every step of the way through their journey to preserve their inheritance and enforce their beneficiary rights.
Clarity first
We understand that family inheritance disputes are emotionally charged and financially impactful. Our goal is to give you clarity without pressure.
Many of our clients appreciate the Initial Case Assessment model because it empowers them with legal knowledge before deciding to litigate. Don't let confusion, deception, or misconduct jeopardize your inheritance.
Free consultation
No commitment. We'll listen, walk through your situation, and tell you whether and how we can help.
Proven trust litigation experience. Will and trust contests, fiduciary breach, elder financial abuse, and probate disputes across California.
Transparent guidance. Clear explanation of your rights, available remedies, and recommended next steps — without legal jargon.
Flat-fee Initial Case Assessment. In-depth legal analysis at a predictable cost — not open-ended hourly billing.
Flexible engagement models. Flat-fee, contingency, and hybrid arrangements tailored to your claim and your goals.
Frequently asked
If you have questions about your specific situation, call (415) 275-1492 for a free case evaluation.
For trust contests, California Probate Code Section 16061.7 requires beneficiaries to file within 120 days of receiving the Notification by Trustee. Will contests must be filed before the court admits the will to probate or within 120 days of the will being admitted. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar your claim.
A trustee has legal obligations to act in the best interests of beneficiaries, including duties of loyalty, impartiality, prudent investment, and accounting. Breach occurs when a trustee self-deals, favors one beneficiary over another, fails to provide accountings, makes imprudent investments, or distributes assets contrary to the trust terms.
Corcoran Smith Law offers a flat-fee Initial Case Assessment so you can understand your legal position and options before committing to litigation. Beyond the ICA, we offer flat-fee, contingency, and hybrid fee arrangements depending on the nature of your claim.
Potentially. If the trust was created or amended under circumstances involving undue influence, fraud, lack of mental capacity, or improper execution, you may have grounds to contest. The 120-day deadline from trustee notification is critical.
Our ICA is a flat-fee engagement where we review your estate planning documents, trust instruments, probate filings, and correspondence, then deliver a written strategy memo outlining your legal rights, risks, and recommended next steps. It empowers you to make informed decisions before committing to litigation.
Trust and probate litigation involves complex procedural rules, strict deadlines, and fiduciary law that is difficult to navigate without legal counsel. An experienced attorney can identify claims you may not know exist and prevent procedural errors that could forfeit your rights.
California law gives beneficiaries the right to request and receive trust accountings, copies of the trust instrument, and information about trust administration. If a trustee refuses, a court can compel disclosure and may remove the trustee for breach of duty.
In many cases, yes. California Probate Code allows the court to award attorney fees from the trust or estate in certain proceedings, particularly where the litigation benefits the trust or estate as a whole, or where a fiduciary has breached their duties.
Ready to talk?
Book a free consultation. We’ll walk through your situation and lay out the strongest path forward — including whether a flat-fee Initial Case Assessment is the right next step.
Book a free consultation