Probate and Trust Litigation Attorney inLafayette, California AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES WITHIN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA

Preserve Your Inheritance and Enforce the Decedent’s Intentions

Disputes over a loved one’s estate can create emotional tension, financial uncertainty, and legal complexities. Whether related to the interpretation of a trust, the validity of a will, or the performance of a fiduciary, probate and trust litigation requires legal insight, courtroom experience, and a thorough understanding of estate law. With over 51 years of legal experience, the Law Offices of Anthony A. Ferrigno has been a trusted name in resolving estate disputes in Lafayette, California, and the surrounding Contra Costa County region.


Probate and trust litigation arises when beneficiaries, heirs, or fiduciaries contest the administration or terms of an estate plan. These conflicts often involve allegations of undue influence, lack of capacity, trustee misconduct, or misinterpretation of documents. In Lafayette, where many estates include real property, retirement accounts, and other complex assets, the need for experienced counsel is critical.


Our firm works closely with clients to identify and address estate disputes with clarity and professionalism. Whether the goal is to defend a trust’s validity, remove a fiduciary, or challenge a distribution, our legal team provides strategic representation rooted in both litigation expertise and deep knowledge of California probate and trust law.


We understand the sensitive nature of these cases and strive to reach outcomes that preserve relationships and honor the intentions of the deceased. Clients across Lafayette, California, rely on our guidance to resolve high-stakes estate matters with discretion, compassion, and proven legal strategy tailored to each unique situation.

Benefits of Probate and Trust Litigation 

Ensures Proper Asset Distribution

Litigation ensures that assets are distributed in strict accordance with the will or trust. When beneficiaries suspect unauthorized changes, misallocation, or improper handling, legal intervention provides a path to restore fairness. Court enforcement confirms rightful inheritance, helping prevent disputes and preserving the decedent’s intentions throughout the estate or trust administration process.

Addresses Fiduciary Misconduct

Executors and trustees are legally bound to act in the best interest of the estate and its beneficiaries. When they act negligently, dishonestly, or violate their responsibilities, litigation becomes necessary. Legal action can lead to their removal, restitution of losses, and reassignment of duties to a more capable party who will uphold fiduciary obligations.

Clarifies Ambiguous Documents

Poorly drafted or outdated estate documents can result in confusion, disagreements, and unintended consequences. Probate and trust litigation helps clarify vague language, resolve contradictory provisions, and define key terms. Judicial interpretation ensures consistency and alignment with legal standards, reducing the risk of future conflict and facilitating smoother administration and asset distribution.

Prevents Financial Losses

Disputes, delays, and fiduciary errors can quickly erode estate value. Litigation acts as a safeguard by identifying financial mismanagement, recovering misused funds, and correcting distribution errors. This intervention helps protect beneficiaries’ interests and ensures the estate’s assets are preserved, properly valued, and allocated in accordance with the original estate planning documents.

Resolves Disputes Efficiently

Estate-related disagreements often create emotional tension and administrative delays. Litigation provides a structured forum to resolve disputes efficiently, minimizing prolonged conflict among heirs and beneficiaries. Legal intervention results in enforceable outcomes that streamline the administration process, restore order, and allow the estate or trust to be closed without further complications.

Upholds the Decedent’s Intentions

When a will or trust is challenged, litigation becomes essential in protecting the decedent’s original wishes. Legal proceedings help uncover fraud, coercion, or drafting errors that may have altered the intended outcome. Enforcing the creator’s true intentions ensures fairness and maintains the integrity of the estate planning process for all involved.

Our Probate and Trust Litigation Services 

Will Contests

We represent clients contesting or defending the validity of a will based on allegations such as fraud, undue influence, or lack of mental capacity. Whether it involves sudden changes or conflicting versions of the will, we build strong legal arguments to uphold or challenge testamentary documents and ensure a legally sound resolution.

Trustee Removal Actions

Trustees have a duty to act honestly and impartially. If they mismanage assets, withhold information, or violate fiduciary responsibilities, beneficiaries may petition for removal. We help clients initiate legal proceedings to replace unfit trustees, secure transparency, and appoint new fiduciaries who will manage trust property in accordance with legal and ethical standards.

Breach of Fiduciary Duty Claims

When a trustee, executor, or administrator acts in self-interest, conceals information, or fails to act in the estate’s best interest, a breach of fiduciary duty may exist. We litigate these cases to recover lost assets, correct improper actions, and protect beneficiaries from further misconduct or mismanagement within the estate or trust.

Trust Reformation and Modification

Trusts occasionally require updates due to drafting errors, outdated provisions, or changes in law. We assist clients with legal reformation or modification of trust documents to reflect the settlor’s true intent, resolve ambiguities, or ensure compliance with tax and distribution laws. This helps prevent future litigation and administrative confusion.

Elder Financial Abuse Litigation

Elderly individuals are vulnerable to manipulation that may lead to unauthorized changes in estate documents. We represent family members in recovering assets transferred under coercion or deceit. Our litigation services focus on reversing fraudulent transactions, holding wrongdoers accountable, and restoring financial protections for aging individuals and their rightful heirs.

Probate Dispute Representation

Probate disputes can involve creditor claims, asset valuations, will authenticity, or executor conduct. We offer comprehensive representation for heirs, beneficiaries, and administrators facing contested probate matters. Our litigation team works to resolve challenges efficiently while protecting the integrity of the estate, ensuring assets are distributed lawfully and in a timely manner.

Resolve Estate Disputes with Confidence and Legal Clarity

Estate and trust disputes can be deeply personal and legally complex, involving financial stakes, family dynamics, and the legacy of a loved one. When disagreements arise, the need for experienced and strategic legal representation becomes essential. At the Law Offices of Anthony A. Ferrigno, we offer trusted counsel in probate and trust litigation, backed by over five decades of legal practice in Lafayette, California, and the broader Contra Costa County area.

Our firm understands the sensitive nature of these cases and approaches each dispute with respect, diligence, and careful strategy. Whether our clients face a contested will, a dispute over trust management, or a need to address fiduciary misconduct, we provide clear legal pathways toward resolution. Our experience allows us to anticipate court procedures, manage family tensions, and protect the financial and legal interests of those involved.


What sets our approach apart is our commitment to protecting both rights and relationships. While aggressively defending our clients’ claims, we always remain mindful of the long-term impacts that estate disputes can have on family structures and financial stability. We seek not only to win, but to resolve—allowing estates to move forward and beneficiaries to find closure.


When faced with probate or trust litigation, clients in Lafayette, California, turn to our firm for experienced, ethical, and effective legal guidance. By selecting our team, you choose a partner dedicated to protecting your inheritance, defending your legal rights, and ensuring that the wishes of the deceased are honored with dignity and legal precision.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • What is probate and trust litigation?

    It is the legal process of resolving disputes over wills, trusts, fiduciary conduct, or estate administration through formal court proceedings and legal filings.


  • When can a will be contested?

    A will may be contested if there is evidence of fraud, undue influence, lack of capacity, or improper execution under California probate laws.

  • Can a trustee be removed for mismanagement?

    Yes. Trustees who breach fiduciary duties, mismanage assets, or act in bad faith may be removed through a court action initiated by beneficiaries.


  • What is a breach of fiduciary duty in estate cases?

    It occurs when an executor or trustee fails to act in the best interest of the estate or beneficiaries, such as hiding assets or making self-serving decisions.

  • How long does probate litigation take?

    The duration varies based on complexity, but most contested probate matters in California can take several months to over a year to resolve.


  • What role does elder abuse play in trust disputes?

    Undue influence or coercion over elderly individuals can invalidate estate documents, and litigation may be necessary to recover assets transferred fraudulently.


  • Are there alternatives to courtroom litigation?

    Yes. Mediation or settlement negotiations can resolve estate disputes efficiently, though some matters require full litigation for fair resolution.

  • Can trust terms be changed through litigation?

    Trust terms may be modified through legal proceedings if ambiguities exist or circumstances have changed significantly, subject to California law and court approval.

HAPPY CUSTOMERS!

What our customers say

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Mr Ferrigno impressed me with his excellent communication and cost effective efficiency concerning my business compliance requirements and liability exposures.


It was refreshing dealing with an attorney I could trust and depend on and who clearly looked out for my best businesses interests.


Mr Ferrigno's services provided a very significant value for my business.

Tin M.

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