Welcome to our trust and estate litigation blog. Inheritance disputes are on the rise nationally as the baby boomers age and wealth passes from one generation to the next. This is high-stress litigation, often pitting sibling against sibling or second spouse against step-children.
We cover hot-button issues in California trust litigation and probate litigation, ranging from the flash points that we see in our cases to recent developments in the field. We discuss trust contests, will contests, and administration disputes. We explore issues of mental capacity, undue influence, fiduciary duty, and financial elder abuse. We follow how California courts grapple with dementia attributed to Alzheimer’s disease, which is becoming more prevalent in our population. We comment on local court practices, including procedures in Department 129 (the probate unit) of Sacramento County Superior Court. We hope that our blog will be of interest to estate planning professionals and to family members immersed in trust and estate disputes. We invite you to follow our blog and to get to know us through our posts.
Blog Contributors
Tyson E. HubbardEmailTyson is a partner at Downey Brand, focusing on trust and estate litigation. He represents institutional and individual clients. For example, he represented the University of the Pacific in a dispute in San Joaquin Superior Court involving John Muir’s papers. (Read more…) View all blog posts | Christopher Miles KolkeyEmailChris is a partner at Downey Brand, representing trustees and beneficiaries in a wide range of trust and estate disputes. (Read more…) View all blog posts |
Dani NafekhEmailDani, a senior associate at Downey Brand, represents clients in all aspects of trust and estate disputes, including trust contests, estate litigation, beneficiary rights matters, and financial elder abuse claims. She is known for her thoughtful, strategic approach and her ability to guide clients through complex and often emotionally charged matters with skill and care. (Read more…) View all blog posts | Hannah A. ShakinEmailHannah is counsel in Downey Brand’s wealth transfer practice group and is certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization as a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law. Her practice concentrates on creating and developing highly tailored and comprehensive estate plans, with an emphasis on addressing each client’s unique individual needs and concerns. (Read more…) View all blog posts |
Morgan C. LigganEmailMorgan, an associate at Downey Brand, focuses her practice on trust and estate litigation, representing beneficiaries, heirs, and trustees in a wide range of matters, including trust and will contests, breach of fiduciary duty claims, financial elder abuse claims, and undue influence claims. (Read more…) View all blog posts | Katrin N. McDonellEmailKatrin, an associate at Downey Brand, is dedicated to helping clients navigate complex and emotionally sensitive disputes involving trusts and estates. She brings a thoughtful, client-focused approach to her practice, pairing strong writing and advocacy skills with genuine empathy. Katrin is committed to ensuring every client feels heard, respected, and supported throughout the litigation process. (Read more…) View all blog posts |





