Trust Administration & Litigation

Knowledgeable Trust Attorney in Southern California

If you have been named as the trustee over the assets of a loved one who has died, you have my condolences for your loss. The responsibilities of a trustee are very serious ones and may feel like a burden while you are already going through the grieving process.

I am Robert L. Wishner, Attorney at Law, an experienced California trust administration attorney, and I help trustees (persons legally assigned to administer the trust assets) fulfill their obligations and confront any litigation claims. For assistance with all trust-related matters, contact me to arrange a consultation at my Irvine law office.

Providing Skilled Guidance to Trustees

Trust administration is, in many ways, less stressful than the probate process because your efforts to implement the provisions of the trust will not generally be supervised by the court system unless there are some failures in the process. The law and/or the trust documents may require you to make regular accountings to certain parties, but otherwise the process remains squarely in your control.

However, you are still legally required to faithfully fulfill your obligations as the trust administrator, and if you fail to do so, you could open yourself up to costly trust litigation.

The lack of court supervision means that many responsibilities are squarely on the shoulders of the trustee, with no guidance from judges or the court system. If you have been made responsible for the administration of a trust, you need skilled assistance from an experienced estate lawyer.

Representing Clients in Trust Litigation

Although the trust administration process is more private than probate, it is not completely removed from legal accountability. Executors like trustees must obey the law and remain faithful to the provisions of the trust. If a trust beneficiary suspects the trustee of violating his or her role, it is possible to sue to remove the trustee or to force an accounting of the trust assets. If the trust was established illegally or under duress, it may be possible to have it dissolved and have the property passed directly to beneficiaries.

I represent clients with claims against trustees as well as trustees who find themselves drawn into trust litigation. If you are involved in a dispute over a trust, don't hesitate to contact me to discuss how I can help you pursue effective solutions.