Disputes often arise after an individual dies and their estate is being administered by the named trustee. This is especially so when when there are substantial amounts of money involved or when family conflict is present. These disputes can arise between beneficiaries, between a trustee or other fiduciary and beneficiaries, or from third parties. Most people think that trust disputes only arise when someone has been disinherited. That is not true. Below are some examples of how and what disputes arise over.
- Disputes between trustees and beneficiaries arising from trust administration, including distribution and accounting issues
- Claims for breach of fiduciary duty based on trust investments, including failure to diversify and lack of suitability
- Disputes relating to business interests owned by trusts, including minority shareholder disputes
- Judicial construction and modification of language in Wills and Trusts
- Determination of beneficiaries and heirs
- Challenges to the validity of a will, including lack of capacity and undue influence and elder abuse
- Disputes over lifetime transfers
- Representation of charities serving as trustee or named as trust beneficiaries
Medi-Cal Planning & Asset Protection
If you are concerned about Medi-Cal recovery, Susan has been successful in helping many elderly adults with the complicated and critical process of Medi-Cal Planning and Asset Protection.
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Trusts & Wills
Susan B. Geffen has helped hundreds of families with their estate planning. Is a Living Trust just for the wealthy? No. If you own a home, have children, wish to leave your assets to whomever you choose, then you should consider having a living trust prepared for you.
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Probate
Susan B. Geffen can help you with your probate matter, and provide you with the expert guidance throughout the process.
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Conservatorships
Many of Susan’s clients ask her about Conservatorships. It is a serious process and it takes a very knowledgeable and experience attorney to evaluate whether or not a conservatorship is realistic and/or necessary.
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Nursing Home Abuse
Susan B. Geffen has been looking out for the elderly for almost 3 decades as an elder law attorney, gerontologist, and former law professor. She is the author of the book, “Take That Nursing Home and Shove It!”
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Trust Litigation
Disputes often arise after an individual dies and their estate is being administered by the named trustee. This is especially so when when there are substantial amounts of money involved or when family conflict is present.
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Special Needs Trust Planning
If a disabled individual receives a lump sum inheritance, they will lose all of the public benefits that have supported them during their lifetime until such time that that inheritance is spent down to a qualifying amount, usually $2000.00.
Learn MoreEstate Planning (Living Trusts, Wills) | Hermosa Beach
Susan B. Geffen has helped hundreds of families with their estate planning. Is a Living Trust just for the wealthy? No. If you own a home, have children, wish to leave your assets to whomever you choose, then you should consider having a living trust prepared for you.
Learn MoreEstate Planning (Living Trusts, Wills) | Rolling Hills Estates
Susan B. Geffen has helped hundreds of families with their estate planning. Is a Living Trust just for the wealthy? No. If you own a home, have children, wish to leave your assets to whomever you choose, then you should consider having a living trust prepared for you.
Learn MoreAs an attorney who often is in the position of hiring co-counsel, I am able to quickly evaluate other lawyers to determine if I want to engage them. This time, I needed to find a lawyer for a personal matter. After speaking with several attorneys in this area, I decided to see if I could meet with Susan Geffen. I was able to set up an appointment and meet with her right away and she was outstanding! My meeting with Susan was more productive than all the previous meetings combined and Susan gave practical yet caring advice and then laid out all the options in a clear manner. Not only does she have a solid grasp of the laws and regulations in this area but her legal knowledge is supplemented by her in-depth understanding of the emotional and practical aspects of implementing a plan, which is often overlooked or not properly considered. Most importantly, Susan was the only attorney I spoke with who did not propose additional work that I believe was unnecessary to accomplish our goals.
Contact Susan
Call Susan today (310) 406-0608 or send her a message by filling out the form below.