Trustee Defense Services:
Standing Firm, Upholding Duty

Defend Your Actions and Integrity with The Legacy Lawyers.

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Martha

5 ★ on Google

I appreciate all the hard work Philip has done for us.

Lambcat Means

5 ★ on Google

Feel safe and secure with him taking care of my case.

Don Patterson

5 ★ on Google

Everybody has been so nice and helpful to us. They have made a unpleasant family problem, not as divesting after my mothers passing.

Laurie Calkins

5 ★ on Google

Zach is amazing!!❤️🙌

Karen Vogelhuber

5 ★ on Google

Legacy Law is great. Sean stays top of everything. Debbie keeps us informed and ensures we know correct times. Would recommend without hesitation

Antoine. Montini

5 ★ on Google

Perfect !

Michael Larizza

5 ★ on Google

Dominic is an absolute professional and a joy to work with. Thank you Legacy team!

Susan C

5 ★ on Google

Anna is so helpful in guiding me through an area that I am not familiar with. And she is very patient, and that says a lot. Patient people help to take care of business CORRECTLY.

Al Hanna

5 ★ on Google

Matthew Stidham was instrumental in achieving the success I needed to insure the safety and well being for my father. I appreciate his professionalism and legal advise to get the necessary results for our case

Jeffrey Jones

5 ★ on Google

Very good experience so far

Theotis White

5 ★ on Google

Helped me get through the time and treated me professionally .

Whitney Butler

5 ★ on Google

Dominic has been a great lawyer for us and we appreciate his service.

hunter tamashiro

5 ★ on Google

Legacy lawyers are professional and friendly firm that handled my legal needs while dealing with my mothers probate.

Akimi King

5 ★ on Google

Anna provides great customer service!

Frantasticlb T

5 ★ on Google

Excellent service and team. My attorney Matt Stedham and his associates were by far the best firm I have ever dealt with. I recommend this firm and their staff as they have given and treated me with the up most respect.

William Pullings

5 ★ on Google

Thank you for all your hard work. My family is pleased and so am I. Enjoy your blessed day legacy lawyers.

Pamela Johnson

5 ★ on Google

In my household Zach is right under God! God first and then there is Zach! We love the Legacy Lawyers!

Susan Yarger

5 ★ on Google

I was poorly served in a probate case by my initial lawyer, and the Legacy team took over, rapidly corrected every problem,and set me on a path for clarity and solid resolution in this matter. These guys are heroes in my book!

Keciadervsit

4 ★ on Google

He is detailed and clear to the point of getting the matter resolved.🙂🙂

Howard Fontenot

5 ★ on Google

I had a very good experience working with a legacy lawyer. Thank you.

Cassandra Jackson

5 ★ on Google

Wonderful

Shelia Jackson

5 ★ on Google

Very Nice and Professional.

Bill Dwan

5 ★ on Google

I knew that I needed a lot of help to process my probate case. The Legacy Lawyer, P.C. made the process smooth and easy. I know that I couldn't have done it without their help. Thank you very much.

James Davis

5 ★ on Google

I am very pleased with the progress I would refer the law firm to anyone who is looking for that type of lawyer

Lynn Harrison

5 ★ on Google

I am very happy with the estate planning with Attorney Matthew Stidham. Very profession and listen to your needs. I highly recommend him. If there were more than five stars he would deserve it!

Guadalupe Bickel

5 ★ on Google

Great company and always kept me informed of what was happening with my case

Judy Burrows

5 ★ on Google

They did my daughters Conservatorship and everything went super smooth, the entire staff is friendly and professional. Oh and Amro Alkisat is a rock star attorney. will certainly use again if needed.

Tuddyboy11

5 ★ on Google

Matthew Stidham is the best. He's knowledgeable, aggressive when he needs to be, precise, understanding and knows his estate law. I was very satisfied with him.

Jason Hansford

5 ★ on Google

The Legacy Lawyers are the cream of the crop. Top notch, very professional, very good at what they do. Thank you Matthew Stidham and the entire staff for helping us through one of the most difficult times. Bless you all

Rutina Taylor

5 ★ on Google

Amro is an excellent lawyer. He is always available in a very timely manner. He is attentive and very competent. I could not have asked for a better lawyer to assist me in what was a very difficult time. Thank you, Amro.

Gaby C

5 ★ on Google

Mr David Chon is a very professional and honest lawyer.

Kevin Schmidt

5 ★ on Google

They work with you and plan each step!

Thuy Vu Pham

5 ★ on Google

Thank you, David, for doing such a good job with my living trust!

Ronald Drescher

5 ★ on Google

Phil really takes care of his clients. He and I belong to a national mastermind group and I see his attention to detail, vision of the big picture and ability to get things done. Great lawyer and great guy!

Dedicated Trustee Defense Services

Being a trustee carries weighty responsibilities and fiduciary duties. When actions are questioned or challenged, it's crucial to have solid legal backing. The Legacy Lawyers provides that staunch defense ensuring trustees can uphold their duties and protect their reputation.

What Is Trustee Defense?

Trustee Defense entails legally defending a trustee when their actions or decisions related to trust management are questioned or challenged by beneficiaries or other involved parties.

Our Approach:

Understanding the intricacies of trust management, we provide a tailored defense strategy, addressing the unique circumstances of each case. Our attorneys evaluate all actions, decisions, and the associated documentation to present a strong defense championing the trustee's rightful actions.

Benefits of Our Services:

Comprehensive legal representation defending trustees' actions and decisions.

Detailed analysis and presentation of evidence supporting the trustee's actions.

Expert navigation of the legal landscape and ensuring the trustee's rights are upheld.

Reassurance in the face of challenges with seasoned attorneys by your side.

Why Choose Us?

Years of experience in trust litigation positions The Legacy Lawyers as the preferred partner for trustees in need of defense. Our nuanced understanding of trust dynamics combined with our commitment to justice ensures that every trustee's actions are defended rigorously and justly.

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Learn More About Trustee Defense

Are beneficiaries trying to remove you as the trustee? Are they seeking damages against you personally?

Beneficiaries are not always easy to work with. Stepchildren, estranged or jealous siblings, as well as those who were dependent on the settlor can be the most difficult to please. If you are a trustee of a trust and have been accused of mishandling the trust, failing to disclose, mismanagement, misappropriation, self-dealing, embezzlement, or failing to account, then it is extremely important to obtain experienced legal help immediately. Trustees have a fiduciary duty to defend the trust, and that includes defending their position as trustees.

Some people fall into the role of trustee without being fully prepared for the experience. Even those who eagerly accept the responsibilities that come with being a trustee may not be aware that beneficiaries can sometimes be problematic. Beneficiaries may cause difficulties and even threaten removal of or seek personal damages from the trustee. It is certainly not unheard of for beneficiaries to become angry at trustees, and cause legal trouble.

The California-based trustee defense lawyers at The Legacy Lawyers understand the challenges related to being a fiduciary like a trustee. Our knowledgeable team of attorneys has helped trustees successfully battle legal issues including where trustees made missteps or were negligent in their duties. Having legal counsel on retainer can be a valuable support for any trustee dealing with unhappy beneficiaries. If you’re worried about costs, don’t. California’s law is clear. Trustees have the right to use trust funds to hire attorneys to help them administer the trust.

Top Reasons Why Beneficiaries Ask for a Trustee’s Removal

What’s involved in a trustee removal process?

Most trustee removal petitions include requests for orders for accounting, financial surcharges, and attorney fees against trustees personally. The petitioners may also seek remedies for breach of trust including relief for various types of damages. Since losing could be extremely expensive, you do not want to take on these types of matters without competent legal counsel.

What to Expect When Working With the Legacy Lawyers

At The Legacy Lawyers, we fight diligently on behalf of our trustee clients. Even if the trustee has made mistakes, we work hard to help them keep their fiduciary duties and fight off aggressive beneficiaries. Our goal is to make what can be a stressful situation much easier to manage whether that means going to court or trying to settle.

During the initial consultation, one of our lawyers will want to understand the full picture of why the trustee is at risk of removal. As a result, trustees should bring a copy of the trust document as well as other pertinent paperwork to the meeting. That way by doing this an attorney can more thoroughly assess the case and make recommendations. Trustees are encouraged to be 100% honest during the private discussion. That way, the lawyer understands exactly how best to provide assistance.

Giving Trustees Personal Care and Commitment

If you are a trustee and are dealing with problems related to accusatory beneficiaries, you do not have to navigate the courts yourself. Instead, choose to work with The Legacy Lawyers. Call any of our Southern California offices at (800) 840-1998 to start a conversation about your concerns. Our skilled trustee defense attorneys are eager to learn more about your situation and potentially defend you against your charges.

Beneficiaries may try to get a trustee removed or may sue the trustee for a number of reasons. Some of the more common reasons include:

The beneficiaries claim the trustee has not followed through with his or her fiduciary responsibilities such as sending timely statements regarding the trust.
The beneficiaries believe the trustee is not acting objectively toward one or more beneficiaries. In other words, the beneficiaries claim the trustee is treating some beneficiaries with more regard than others.
The beneficiaries allege the trustee is misappropriating funds or spending more of the trust than is necessary.
The beneficiaries feel as if they are in the dark about the trust due to consistently poor communication between them and the trustee.
The beneficiaries do not believe the trustee has the mental capabilities to fulfill his or her role.
The beneficiaries claim the trustee is making considerable errors.
The beneficiaries alleged the trustee is not making the required accounting for trust-related documents and accounts.

Any trustee who has received notice of a removal petition against him or her should seek immediate counsel because this is a serious charge. Without the help of a competent trust defense lawyer, the trustee is at risk of being removed as a trustee. He or she may also incur exorbitant expenses as a result of waiting too long to talk with an attorney. For example, trustees who lose in court may have to pay damages. Consequently, all trustees under investigation should contact lawyers as soon as they can.