During the probating of a person’s estate, heirs and other interested parties may raise disputes. The same is true about trusts. Beneficiaries may have issues with how the trust is being managed.
At The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers, our legal team represents parties involved in trust and estate disputes. We have extensive experience in estate and trust law.
The lawyers at The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers have fought to protect the rights of thousands of clients since we took our first case in 2000. They have almost six decades of experience between them. Additionally, our founding attorney, Alton Todd, holds dual certifications in personal injury and civil trial law from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
We encourage you to contact our office at (281) 992-8633 to speak with an attorney if you face estate or trust litigation. Your initial consultation with a Friendswood trust and estate litigation is free.
How The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You With Estate and Trust Disputes
Filing a dispute related to an estate or trust can be a complicated undertaking. Disputes involving trusts and estates may involve high-value assets and significant amounts of money. You want an attorney with knowledge of the law and significant trial experience to handle your case.
Our attorneys at The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers are seasoned trial lawyers. They have earned awards and honors from national organizations in the legal industry, including the American College of Trial Lawyers, The International Academy of Trial Lawyers, and the American Board of Trial Advocates. We also have top ratings from The Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers.
When you hire our Friendswood trust and estate litigation lawyers, you can trust we will:
- Carefully analyze the circumstances of your dispute
- Explain how various laws impact your case
- Discuss the various legal options and potential outcomes
- Respect sensitive family matters and privacy
- Diligently work to resolve the dispute through mediation and negotiation
- Fiercely advocate for your best interests at trial if a settlement cannot be reached
Call The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Friendswood trust and estate litigation lawyer.
What Is an Estate?
The real and personal property a person owns when they die is known as their estate. The probate process is the legal procedure used to distribute the property to the deceased’s heirs. The property is distributed according to the person’s will or Texas intestate laws.
What Is Estate Litigation?
Family members and other interested parties may argue about one or more aspects of an estate. Unfortunately, estate disputes can cause deep divisions within a family. Examples of issues and situations that could result in estate litigation include:
- A poorly drafted will that contains vague, unclear, or contradictory language
- Contests of the will claiming undue influence, coercion, or lack of capacity
- Disputes of creditor claims
- Allegations of misconduct, fraud, or mismanagement by the personal representative
- Questions about the estate accounting and distributions
- Disputes related to the valuation of property
- Heirs claiming a larger share of the estate
- Disputes related to the appointment of a guardian or trustee for a minor
- Disagreements about how to divide property
- Lost heirs appear to claim a right in the estate
- A will that does not meet the legal requirements
Our attorneys work with clients to resolve estate disputes through mediation and negotiation. Settlements can avoid painful court hearings. However, we are prepared to take the matter to trial if necessary.
What Is a Trust?
Trusts are governed by state law. The Texas Trust Code contains the rules for creating, operating, and terminating trusts. Trusts are often used to protect assets from creditors and avoid probate.
A settlor signs a trust agreement that creates a fiduciary arrangement. The agreement allows a third party to hold and manage property for the benefit of one or more beneficiaries. The third party is the trustee.
What Is Trust Litigation?
The trust agreement provides instructions for how the trustee must manage and distribute trust property. Unfortunately, disputes about the trust property or distributions may arise between the trustee and beneficiaries. Examples of issues and situations that could result in trust litigation include:
- Contradictory, unclear, or confusing language in the trust agreement
- Accusation of trustee misconduct
- The desire to have a trustee removed or replaced
- Allegations of undue influence, coercion, or capacity of the settlor
- Issues with the management of assets or the accounting for the trust
- The need to force the trustee to make distributions from the trust
- Allegations that the trustee used trust property for their personal benefit
Trust disputes can be settled outside of court. However, some disputes go to trial. Our lawyers are ready to take a dispute to court if necessary
Learn More by Scheduling a Free Consultation With a Friendswood Trust and Estate Litigation Lawyer
The attorneys at The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers are dedicated to helping our clients resolve trust and estate disputes in the best possible manner. If you are dealing with a trust or estate dispute, call us to schedule a free case review with a Friendswood trust and estate litigation lawyer. We provide trusted legal advice and compassionate support.
