Trusts, Estates & Probate Litigation
Disputes over wills, trusts, and estates can become complicated.
Fortunately, finding an experienced attorney to represent you can be simple.
Contact JimSee your case clearly
Read MoreNo one can ever be certain about, or guarantee, the outcome of your case until it is over. But Jim has a rare perspective, not only from litigating on behalf of clients for over 35 years but also from serving as a trial and appellate pro tem judge, a neutral mediator, and an arbitrator. This breadth of experience allows him to have informed discussions with potential clients about what is realistically obtainable in the then-known circumstances in a probate or trust dispute. When there is mutual agreement to retain him, Jim proceeds to work with his clients to move through the litigation process in an efficient, economical way, reevaluating the client’s goals and the plausible outcomes as the case progresses.
What to Expect:
Understanding Probate Litigation
Learn what’s different about probate court and the process ahead.
Watch The VideoFor a long time, the law governing powers of appointment in California was English common law. English common law held that if the party who created the power simply said that a certain amount of property was to be given to “ the grandchildren†or some other class of people without specifying how much was to go to who, then all the grandchildren, everyone in that class, had to receive more than a nominal amount and no one could be excluded. In 1970, California adopted the Powers of Appointment Act which reversed this. The 1970 Act held that unless the
Thomas W. Sefton, Jr.
Jim will make time for you as a client and follow through on any promises he makes.
Thomas Sterling
In addition to providing excellent, defensible and strategically astute legal advice, Jim's work product is impeccable. His keen intellect and vast body of experience underscore the value of his recommendations and unlike many in his profession, his ego does not impede his ability to communicate thoroughly and effectively. I would highly recommend him to anyone seeking leadership in legal matters.
Carol Ackerman
Jim is a litigator who possesses both a friendly and warm personality, but with the tenacity of a top notch trial lawyer. He is a tireless worker for his clients and can deal with complex business and technical issues in a way that can be understood by judges and juries. As the general counsel to a large division of a multinational corporation, I hired Jim to represent us on a highly contentious issue in which the other side employed top-notch and aggressive counsel. The end result was favorable to our company in no small measure to Jim's role as defense
Daniel Woloshen
I recommend Jim without reservation. He is exactly what one looks for in legal representation. His work is rigorous, detailed, and timely, as one would expect, but as importantly his practice is built on the highest level of integrity. You can trust Jim in every sense of the word - he will come through for you when you need him with quality results and complete honesty and dependability. As an added bonus, he is as fine a human being as he is an attorney.
Dave Wood
"Mark and I would like to say thank you for your legal representation in [our trust litigation] case. Your professionalism, clear and consistent communication, and preparation for depositions and hearings made this very difficult, time-consuming and painful process bearable.
I would highly recommend you to anyone. Having never been involved in any lawsuit before, I did not know what to expect and heard plenty of horror stories, but you walked me through the process in a way that prepared me for what to expect. You also listened to what my concerns and needs were, and I always felt you hadStacy Rau Green
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