Monterey Legal Services: Estate Litigation, Contested Wills and Trusts
At the Law Office of Barbara J. May in Monterey, California, we provide legal counsel and courtroom representation to heirs and potential heirs, beneficiaries, trustees, executors, personal representatives and third-parties involved in a dispute over a will, a trust, or an estate.
If you believe that you were treated unfairly in a will or trust, or that there has been mismanagement of an estate, or if you are facing charges of mismanagement yourself, contact us online or call 831-649-1253 to speak with an estate litigation attorney.
As an experienced estate and probate lawyer, Ms. Barbara J. May will provide you with a complete assessment of your case so you can make informed decisions about how to proceed. Before litigation begins, she looks for ways to resolve the dispute without resorting to the expense of litigation. If the matter cannot be resolved, attorney May will meticulously prepare your case for trial and aggressively defend your interests throughout the process.
Attorney May has represented parties in probate and estate litigation to protect beneficiary's rights by:
- Removing an executor or trustee
- Authenticating a will (proving that a will is genuine or fake)
- Proving that an individual was of sound or unsound mind at the time estate documents were executed
- Proving that an individual was or was not unduly influenced at the time estate documents were executed
- Determining the intentions of the deceased (based upon any existing estate planning documents and evidence provided by the parties)
- Distribution of property when there was no will
Was There a Problem with the Will or Trust?
Two of the more common reasons people contest the validity of a will or trust include undue influence by another party and lack of capacity of the creator of the will or trust.
- When an heir cites undue influence, they are stating that the decedent was being unreasonably influenced by another heir when they wrote their will or created the trust.
- When an heir cites lack of capacity, or that a will was created or changed under duress or coercion, they are stating that the decedent was not competent or free to enter into a legally binding contract.
When you need a lawyer to help with these and other matters in probate or estate litigation, contact our downtown Monterey office online or call 831-649-1253 to schedule a consultation. We accept Visa and MasterCard.
