When we meet with estate planning clients, you'd be amazed how many times we hear something like, "Oh, no, my children get along so well. They won't fight when I'm gone, they'll all be on the same page and will all agree on everything." We just smile and nod and say, "Well, I hope you're right, that would fantastic. But just in case, let's do this..."
Death and money, y'know? It's a stressful and emotional time. Family relationships can get strained after the death of a loved one and family tensions can reach a boiling point during the estate distribution. All of this can lead to probate litigation and the need for dispute resolution. We understand that in certain cases, litigation is the only method of resolution and we will not hesitate to advocate strongly on our clients' behalves in court.
For many reasons, probate, trust, and estate litigation can be complex. We will prepare you by advising you on pre-litigation strategies, analyzing potential risk, as well as reviewing documents. We then apply creative problem solving to secure a favorable resolution for you.
Probate, trust, and estate litigation can include disputes regarding contested Wills, improper disbursement of estates, issues regarding the personal representative or trustee, Trust litigation, and claims against fiduciaries.
However, we are also strong proponents of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and legal solutions that include mediation. Whenever possible, we encourage our clients to amicably and respectfully resolve their estate disputes. The Washington Trust and Estate Dispute Resolution Act (TEDRA) allows for resolution of disputes regarding trusts and estates through out-of-court processes such as mediation, arbitration, and agreement. We have significant experience representing heirs and beneficiaries as well as defending estates in TEDRA actions. Call us at 253.858.5434 today to see how we can help you.