Hackard Law

Trust Litigators at Hackard Law Combine Experience and Compassion to Help Grieving Families Find Closure

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Most people understand the importance of creating a last will and testament. But an equally important aspect of estate planning involves the creation of a trust. Trusts are concerned with stages of control: among other things, they establish executors and trustees, identify beneficiaries, protect legacies, and prevent the government from determining the best use of one’s money. Unfortunately, effective management and distribution of our loved one’s assets is easier said than done. The reality is that a lot can go wrong when a trust is being settled. Disputes over trusts and estates can present many challenges: complicated legal and tax issues, high financial stakes, and difficult family dynamics can make a painful situation worse.

The first involves Brian, a professional truck driver in Northern California, who lost his father after a long illness. While Brian’s father was undergoing chemotherapy for brain cancer, another family member took him to a document service to adjust his estate plan. Brian’s dad became confused about the details of his estate, not realizing that he had excluded his son from the trust. After Brian discussed the adjustment with his father, they planned to have his trust amended. Sadly, Brian’s father passed away before the adjustments could be made. Due to his medical diagnosis and treatment, there were questions about the validity of the trust that Brian’s father created. Brian put his faith in the attorneys at Hackard Law, who recognized his case as a classic trust contest. After their careful investigation, the firm sued to overturn the trust in probate court.

By StoryStudio on July 19, 2022 11:19 AM

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Consider the following cases recently resolved by Hackard Law:

Another recent Hackard Law client found herself on the other end of the trust contest spectrum.

If you require excellence and understanding in your legal representation, contact Hackard Law today. 10630 Mather Boulevard, Mather, CA 95655 Phone: 916-313-3030 Fax: 916-226-5177 Email: info@hackardlaw.com

Choosing a law firm to entrust with a multimillion-dollar estate dispute is no small decision. The team at Hackard Law makes that decision a little easier. Hackard Law is an estate, probate, and trust litigation firm representing clients in Northern and Southern California’s largest urban areas. The tight-knit team of attorneys have been led by Sacramento native Michael Hackard for more than 40 years. Together, their depth of experience in trusts, estates, and fiduciary relationships allows them to negotiate every aspect of the disputes that are all too common in trusts and estates. Combining empathy and expertise with a firm-wide commitment to all clients, Hackard Law continues to set the standard for excellence in estate litigation.

When disputes arise, particularly in cases involving distribution of assets, elder financial abuse, or breach of fiduciary responsibilities, a trust litigation attorney becomes necessary.

Brian’s trust in Hackard Law paid off, and the case was settled in mediation. Perhaps even more importantly, Brian obtained a measure of closure in a difficult chapter of his life.

For Hackard Law, developing a relationship with clients like Brian only strengthens the firm’s resolve to achieve the best possible outcome. That focus—on people first—is what sets Hackard Law apart. For over four decades, Hackard Law has built their business this way. By getting to know their clients personally and developing mutual trust, Hackard Law can better provide legal counsel tailored specifically for each of their clients. Their 40-year track record of success in estate litigation and trust contests is at least partly attributable to this people-driven approach.

Attorney Hackard has been a litigator and advocate for abused beneficiaries for over 40 years. His team is focused on the client’s personal and financial safety, with a special focus on creative problem-solving. That can include structuring a working relationship with clients to defer fees until the end of the litigation process. It always includes the kind of personal touch required to see clients like Brian and Sandra to the best possible outcome. It’s a philosophy that has proven effective for Hackard Law for over four decades. For some of us, it is difficult to determine whether we need legal assistance. Estate and trust disputes can be murky in the initial stages, and things can get messy fast. A free consultation with Hackard Law can help you identify the best course of action to get you on the road to resolution. Hackard Law’s probate, trust, and estate litigation practice resolves trust and estate disputes at the highest level. They have the experience to advocate clients’ positions in all types of trust contests and claims of fiduciary wrongdoing. “We share a desire for excellence in our legal work,” says Attorney Hackard. “Average won’t do. Each client deserves a listening ear. Each person that calls us, even if [they are] not a client, deserves an answer to a question or a direction to finding the answer.”

- Attorney Michael Hackard

Brian’s trust in Hackard Law paid off, and the case was settled in mediation. Perhaps even more importantly, Brian obtained a measure of closure in a difficult chapter of his life.

Another recent Hackard Law client found herself on the other end of the trust contest spectrum.

Sandra had been close with her aunt since she was a little girl, taking trips to visit her in Southern California several times a year. When her aunt started becoming less independent, Sandra wanted to make the most of their remaining time. She uprooted her life, leaving her job and home on the East Coast, and relocated to Southern California to provide care and support for her aunt. Before she passed, Sandra’s aunt made changes to her trust, leaving Sandra her home and other assets. When Sandra was sued by opposing parties, she didn’t know where to turn. She felt betrayed, and worse, alone. Sandra found her way to Hackard Law and developed a rapport with her attorney right off the bat. Looking back after the successful resolution of her case, Sandra remembers the comfort she felt knowing that she was being protected by people looking out for her best interests. The lawsuit Sandra was facing threatened her very livelihood: she had already suffered the loss of a dear family member, and now she feared that a lawsuit would leave her bereft. She wasn’t even sure if she could afford legal representation. The team at Hackard Law worked with Sandra to arrange a contingency fee, allowing Sandra to establish her defense without having to pay hourly fees in advance. That sort of flexibility was essential for Sandra to obtain legal assistance, but also demonstrative of Hackard Law’s commitment to obtaining the best possible result for their client. “Our business model focuses on our ability to take contingency cases,” says Attorney Michael Hackard. “These cases require us to bet on us as well as the client’s case. We get paid only if we win or resolve the case.” Attorney Hackard has been a litigator and advocate for abused beneficiaries for over 40 years. His team is focused on the client’s personal and financial safety, with a special focus on creative problem-solving. That can include structuring a working relationship with clients to defer fees until the end of the litigation process. It always includes the kind of personal touch required to see clients like Brian and Sandra to the best possible outcome. It’s a philosophy that has proven effective for Hackard Law for over four decades. For some of us, it is difficult to determine whether we need legal assistance. Estate and trust disputes can be murky in the initial stages, and things can get messy fast. A free consultation with Hackard Law can help you identify the best course of action to get you on the road to resolution. Hackard Law’s probate, trust, and estate litigation practice resolves trust and estate disputes at the highest level. They have the experience to advocate clients’ positions in all types of trust contests and claims of fiduciary wrongdoing. “We share a desire for excellence in our legal work,” says Attorney Hackard. “Average won’t do. Each client deserves a listening ear. Each person that calls us, even if [they are] not a client, deserves an answer to a question or a direction to finding the answer.”

These cases require us to bet on us as well as the client’s case. We get paid only if we win or resolve the case."