Proper estate planning aims to avoid the probate process and family conflicts, but under many circumstances, individuals and families still need legal counsel. You may be appointed to administer a loved one’s estate. There may be questions about the validity of the will. You may need to step in to protect the interests of an elderly parent.

We advise and represent executors, trust administrators, beneficiaries and other parties with duties or vested interests in estate administration. Our attorneys can assist with the lengthy list of one-time or ongoing tasks of settling estates, including probate administration, liquidating property, managing property or managing a trust.

• Conservatorships — If a parent, spouse or loved one can no longer handle his or her own affairs, it may be necessary to petition the court to take control of that person’s finances or personal care.
• Probate litigation — We represent the estate, beneficiaries or excluded heirs in will contests such as allegations of undue influence or fraud
• Fiduciary representation — We can advise executors, trustees and conservators in fulfilling their obligations and defend them against accusations of breach of fiduciary duty.

Probate can be costly, time-consuming and complex. We are sensitive to conflicts within families, aiming for practical and confidential resolution over divisive and sometimes public battles in probate court.