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Los Angeles Trust Litigation Attorneys

What is Trust Litigation? 

Trust litigation involves resolving legal disputes related to the creation, interpretation, or administration of a trust. In Los Angeles, these cases often arise in the context of high-net-worth estates, family disagreements, or concerns about a trustee’s conduct. Common issues include breach of fiduciary duty, improper distributions, trust contests, and allegations of undue influence or elder financial abuse. With Los Angeles courts regularly handling complex trust disputes, it’s important for anyone involved in a contested matter to understand local rules and how California trust law applies. Whether you’re a trustee, beneficiary, or heir, trust litigation in Los Angeles often requires strategic legal guidance to protect your rights and the intent of the trust.

Our Los Angeles Trust Litigators

Our Los Angeles Trust Litigation Team is considered among the best and brightest in not just Southern California but the country. While we strive to provide the best possible representation in the courtroom, we take pride in being great people outside of it, always working to serve our clients and communities with integrity. 

Our Los Angeles Office

With an extensive network that spans across California, our Los Angeles clients can conveniently find us at our local office and contact us to schedule a consultation. 

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Los Angeles Trust Litigation Attorney Spotlights

Trust contests can take various forms and arise due to a wide range of potential disputes. At RMO, we help clients navigate each of the following scenarios surrounding a trust contest in California or Texas.

Scott E. Rahn
  • Founding Partner
Scott E. Rahn
  • Founding Partner
Litigating ultra-high net worth trusts and estates in Los Angeles is a whole different beast – something we thrive on. From the city’s eclectic mix of cultures, personalities and paths to enormous riches, to the twists and turns that naturally flow out of any family dysfunction, having the experience and ability to rely on a bench full of savvy probate judges and a tight-knit, sharp-witted legal community allows us to cut through the glitz and glam and turn chaos into clarity, leaving our clients feeling like they’re living the California dream.
Mathew M. Wrenshall
  • Managing Partner – Pasadena
Mathew M. Wrenshall
  • Managing Partner – Pasadena
Los Angeles is such a diverse city, and I really love the opportunity that trust litigation gives me to work with a variety of clients with so many stories about their families.  I represent clients with family assets that have been accumulated over generations or in a far shorter period of time, and I love the opportunity to help these clients live out the American dream.
Stephanie K. Delaney
  • Managing Attorney – Estate Administration
Stephanie K. Delaney
  • Managing Attorney – Estate Administration
Estate administration often involves assisting families during emotionally challenging moments in their lives. Providing guidance and clarity during these times can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Los Angeles, with its large and diverse population, presents a range of unique probate cases, from high-profile estates to complex legal issues. This keeps my work engaging and provides constant learning opportunities. Los Angeles is a hub for high-net-worth individuals, meaning the financial stakes in probate cases can be substantial. My practice ensures that the wishes of deceased individuals are respected, and their estates are handled fairly. This sense of protecting the rights of our clients and their families can be deeply satisfying. It’s the combination of personal, emotional, and legal aspects of being a probate attorney that make the work so rewarding.
Phillip J. Szachowicz
  • Attorney
Phillip J. Szachowicz
  • Attorney
In a city as dynamic and fast-paced as Los Angeles, judges are accustomed to handling a vast array of cases, from the routine to the exceptionally complex. It’s not just the sheer volume that shapes their expertise, it’s their ability to quickly assess intricate matters and move them forward with a sense of urgency. Los Angeles probate judges are seasoned and ready to navigate even the most challenging disputes, ensuring that cases don’t stagnate.
Ora Zarnegar
  • Attorney
Ora Zarnegar
  • Attorney
Practicing trust and probate litigation in Los Angeles offers a rare mix of legal complexity and cultural nuance. You’re often dealing with high-value estates, real estate with sentimental and financial weight, and family dynamics shaped by generational wealth, immigration stories, and Hollywood-adjacent drama. The bench is experienced, and there is a strong network of mediators who know how to navigate these waters. What I enjoy most is cutting through all of that with clarity, bringing order to emotionally charged cases and helping clients walk away with both closure and dignity.
Melanie Cohen
  • Attorney
Melanie Cohen
  • Attorney

Melanie Cohen is an attorney based in RMO LLP’s Los Angeles office. She brings a precision-driven approach to representing beneficiaries, as well as individual, professional, and corporate fiduciaries in complex trust and probate estate litigation. Guided by our core values, Melanie is dedicated to understanding the unique dynamics of each case, providing strategic, efficient, and compassionate guidance to clients.

Common Trust Disputes in Los Angeles

Trust contests can take various forms and arise due to a wide range of potential disputes. At RMO, we help clients navigate each of the following scenarios surrounding a trust contest in California or Texas.

Trust Litigation

Interested parties in a trust may pursue litigation in cases where they believe the trust is not being administered responsibly and in the best interests of the trust creator or its beneficiaries. Our attorneys can help you navigate disputes that involve disagreements over the trust document’s interpretation, inheritance disputes among beneficiaries, allegations of trustee breach of fiduciary duty, challenges to the trust’s validity, or claims of undue influence.

Contested Trust Administration

The administration and settlement of a trust is a complex process that can lead to disputes or contests around how it is conducted. If interested parties believe that a trust is being executed irresponsibly, we can help. Our Los Angeles trust litigation attorneys have decades of firsthand experience interpreting trust terms and resolving disputes to ensure fair and equitable trust distributions, equipping us to support you in your case.

Trust Accounting Disputes

If a trust accounting is not carefully and accurately managed or there are discrepancies in the transaction records, it can compromise the fair distribution of trust assets, and beneficiaries may pursue legal action against the trustee. If you suspect a fraudulent accounting as a beneficiary or are a trustee, the attorneys at RMO can support you by investigating financial records and offer representation in resolving these disputes.

Trust Petitions

A trust petition is often the first step in placing a trust under the supervision of the probate court and beginning the administration process. Other common petitions are used to initiate legal action, such as a Petition for Instructions to provide clarity and direction, and a Petition to Approve Acts to urge a trustee to take action. If you are facing a contesting petition or objections to your petition, our Los Angeles trust litigation attorneys can offer guidance and support to allow the administration of the trust to move forward.

Trust Amendment & Distribution Disputes

Trust amendment and distribution disputes arise if there are disagreements between interested parties surrounding amendments made to an original trust or how the distribution of trust assets is carried out. The Los Angeles trust litigation attorneys at RMO offer guidance to clients in navigating these disputes and ensuring an equitable trust distribution while preserving the best interests of the trust and its creator.

Trustee Removal, Suspension, Resignation

In the event that a trustee fails to uphold their duties, they may face legal action that can lead to removal, suspension, or resignation. Our trust litigation attorneys in Los Angeles can support on both sides of these disputes to protect the integrity of the trust . We represent beneficiaries affected by trustee misconduct as well as trustees who may have been wrongfully accused. 

Breach of Fiduciary Duty

Trustees have a legal responsibility to preserve the best interests of the trust beneficiaries and the integrity of the wishes of the deceased while administering a trust. If a trustee acts in a manner that compromises this duty, such as mismanaging trust assets or failing to distribute trust income appropriately, beneficiaries have a right to seek legal action. 

Our Los Angeles trust litigation attorneys at RMO may represent beneficiaries to identify potential breaches and hold trustees accountable as well as represent trustees if their actions were in the best interests of the trust.

Trust Dementia, Incapacity & Undue Influence Claims

During the trust administration process, disputes may arise if there are concerns about the mental capacity of a trust creator or undue influence on the creator during the formation or modification of a trust. Our Los Angeles trust litigation attorneys have decades of experience in handling these sensitive cases, equipping us to offer legal avenues to address claims of mental incapacity and undue influence.

Frequently Asked Questions About Trust Litigation in Los Angeles

The length of a trust dispute can vary depending on the type of dispute and the complexity of the case, but trust litigation cases in Los Angeles typically last several months to a few years.

Legal fees for trust litigation vary depending on the case and the actions that must be taken. At RMO LLP, we offer an initial consultation to discuss costs and determine the best approach for your case based on the facts we discuss.

Yes, our attorneys in Los Angeles are experienced in mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution (ADR). In some cases, trust disputes may be resolved in a quicker and more cost-effective manner through mediation, which allows parties to come to a mutually agreeable resolution without going to trial. If you are considering mediation as a method for resolving your dispute, RMO can guide you through this process by helping you explore all options for resolving the dispute in a way that best protects your interests.

Clients can receive a free consultation for their trust litigation case from RMO Lawyers. Complete the form at the bottom of this page or give us a call to request a consultation, and a member from the RMO Client Relations team will reach out for more information about your case and schedule your free consultation.

Why Hire a Trust Litigation Lawyer in Los Angeles

When dealing with a trust dispute in Los Angeles, it’s crucial to hire a lawyer who understands both the legal nuances of these issues and the local court systems. Our experienced trust litigation attorneys in Los Angeles have a deep understanding of California’s specific laws and probate codes surrounding trust administration and disputes, equipping us to effectively represent your interests in the matter.

Our Los Angeles Community Connection

Our attorneys maintain deep and active connections throughout the Los Angeles legal community. We are proud members of the Los Angeles County Bar Association – Trusts and Estates Section, one of the largest and most respected voluntary bar associations in the nation. Our team also held leadership roles with the Beverly Hills Bar Association – Trusts and Estates Section and the Beverly Hills Estate Planning Council, where our attorneys have served as President Emeritus and frequent speakers.

Recognized locally for excellence, our attorneys have been honored by the Los Angeles Business Journal as “Top Litigators” and included among the “Leaders of Influence: Thriving in Their 40s” and “Most Admired Law Firms to Work For.” The Los Angeles Times has named members of our team “Legal Visionaries” in its Business of Law series, underscoring our dedication to advancing the practice of trusts and estates law in the greater Los Angeles area.

Our ongoing speaking engagements with the Los Angeles Paralegal Association, San Fernando Valley Bar Association – Trusts and Estates Section, and South Bay Bar Association – Trusts and Estates Section further reflect our commitment to strengthening and serving the greater Los Angeles legal community.

Los Angeles Publications & Mentions

Our attorneys are also widely published in leading Los Angeles–based media outlets, sharing insights across a broad range of trust, estate, and fiduciary topics. Their honors and writing reflect a commitment to educating the community and advancing best practices in the field.

Through these platforms, our team continues to provide trusted guidance and thought leadership for individuals, families, fiduciaries, and fellow practitioners across Los Angeles.

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Get trusted guidance and resolution in your trust litigation case – contact our Los Angeles trust lawyers today for a free consultation.

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Client Testimonials

See what our clients have to say about working with us.

Direct, honest, and helpful in our conservatorship dispute!

“Absolute pleasure to deal with! I highly recommend Scott and RMO. They are direct, honest, and helpful, and guided my family in a conservatorship dispute. Honesty these days is harder and harder to come by and it’s much appreciated!”

Misty A.

True professionals who provide five-star service!

“For a person who did not know where to start in seeking guidance for my family’s estate and legacy, Patricia who was the intake specialist and Scott Rahn were an amazing introduction to this world! Their friendliness, willingness, and prompt responses/follow-ups were appreciated and timely. True professionals! I have them on my important people list to share with my friends and family who may need their services. Five star Service!”

Tiffany G.

Aggressive and Compassionate Advocacy

“Scott Rahn and his team are not just a zealous advocates but caring individuals. Scott has a great bedside manner and takes care of his clients who are often times in a very vulnerable position. I highly recommend Scott to anyone looking for an aggressive yet compassionate attorney.”

Eliza G.

A Huge Advantage

“RMO lawyers represented me in a civil suit involving corporate fraud, profiteering, etc. This was a complex case involving many moving parts, while going up against one of the largest law firms in LA. They settled the case. During the term of the litigation, they treated my case as though they were the plaintiff. They work with utmost diligence, competence and care. Sean and Matt knew my case better than I did, They used great strategy and their knowledge of the law was a huge advantage to us. This case represented my life’s work, savings and wealth, going up against a monster. I am glad I trusted them with it.”

Farzin M.

Utmost diligence in complex litigation.

“Talking with Mr. Rahn was truly uplifting! He had all of the qualities I was looking for in an attorney. I was truly surprised of how good of a listener he was. I was expecting him to just run through my issues, dish some false hope, and be done with our consultation, but that was not the case at all. We talked well beyond my allotted consultation time and I was offered valuable advice and even a remedy to my situation where lawyers before him were unable to do. I can’t say enough about this wonderful man and what he has done for my family. We can now breathe comfortably. Thank you Mr. Rahn.”

Myrick G.

Scott Rahn guided me through a complex case.

“Scott Rahn is an expert in this area of law. I have an unscrupulous sister who moved my father to another state. My sister sold his home and drained his bank accounts. Scott helped and guided me through the process. I highly recommend him and without hesitation would refer him.”

Paul R.

Los Angeles Trust Litigation Case Wins

Our Los Angeles trust litigation law firm has a proven track record of protecting clients in various roles in trust disputes and defending legacies.

Removed and Surcharged Thieving Trustee
Beneficiaries may contest a trust if they believe it was improperly administered, have concerns surrounding the conduct of a trustee, or dispute the terms outlined by the trust. We support clients in evaluating grounds for contest and building a case to protect their rights to a trust’s assets.
Struck Down “Death Bed” Trust Amendment
In a matter of weeks, secured evidence sufficient to convince the perpetrator of a “death bed” trust amendment, which was intended to disinherit our client, to abandon the amendment and pay our client the significant seven-figure inheritance he was rightfully owed.
Secured Legacy of Family Business
Represented the successor family trustee and secured the generational family business for the decedent’s heirs by retrieving a stake in the family business from a disgruntled beneficiary on extremely favorable terms that will allow the family to continue operating the family business for generations to come.

Who We Represent in Los Angeles Trust Litigation Cases

Trust disputes and resulting litigation is a complex process and can have significant implications for multiple parties. RMO provides representation on all sides of these issues. We represent all the following clients across Los Angeles to uphold their legal rights and seek a resolution as soon as possible.

Trustees

The trustee role comes with significant responsibility and is crucial in avoiding unnecessary disputes. Our Los Angeles trust litigation attorneys offer representation for trustees facing contests to their appointments, offer guidance on responsibilities during trust administration, provide legal counsel during trust disputes, and defend against breach of fiduciary duty claims. 

Beneficiaries & Heirs

Trust beneficiaries and heirs are often at the center of trust disputes because they have a direct stake in the final distribution of the trust. Our Los Angeles trust litigation attorneys help protect the rights of beneficiaries and heirs during trust disputes by offering legal representation to litigate or resolve disagreements, contest amendments, and pursue a fair and equitable distribution of assets.

Spouses

Spouses have unique rights to trust assets under state law that may result in litigation if not recognized. Our Los Angeles probate estate attorneys represent spouses in understanding their rights and navigating any trust disputes so that they can claim what is rightfully theirs. We can support you with counsel for spousal claims, provide representation in litigation, promote resolutions through mediation, and more.

Creditors

Creditors have the legal right to pursue restitution for unresolved debts from a trust. If you are a creditor who feels your debts have been mismanaged or were not properly addressed, our Los Angeles trust litigation lawyers can support you in navigating the necessary legal avenues to pursue what’s rightfully yours.  

Our Los Angeles Probate Courts

The Probate Division of the Los Angeles County Superior Court handles legal matters relating to the administration of estates and protection of vulnerable individuals. In general, this court oversees the probate of wills, determines heirs when a person dies intestate, or without a will, establishes conservatorships for incapacitated adults and minors, and supervises certain types of mental health conservatorships under California law.

In addition to traditional estate matters, the Probate Court resolves disputes involving trusts, fiduciaries, and the administration of estates. These matters often include trust and estate litigation, fiduciary misconduct claims, contested conservatorships and guardianships, and other actions involving personal representatives of estates.

Cases from Los Angeles County are heard at the following courthouses:

Stanley Mosk Courthouse (Downtown Los Angeles)
The Stanley Mosk Courthouse serves as the primary venue for trust litigation in Los Angeles County. Most contested probate, trust, and conservatorship matters are handled here.
111 N. Hill Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 830-0850
Stanley Mosk Courthouse Probate Division

Michael D. Antonovich Antelope Valley Courthouse (Lancaster)
The Antelope Valley Courthouse handles trust and estate cases from the northern parts of Los Angeles County, such as Lancaster, Palmdale, and nearby communities. Cases are assigned here based on the decedent’s residence or where estate assets are located.
42011 4th Street West
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 974-7200
Antelope Valley Courthouse Probate Division

Why Hire RMO Lawyers

Our Los Angeles trust litigation lawyers are well-versed in trust disputes and are dedicated to helping our clients achieve peace of mind through experienced legal guidance. Our clients trust us as great lawyers, but even better people, acting with integrity and empathy to pursue our clients’ goals in the courtroom and support our community outside of it.

Everything we do centers around our core values:

  • Lead with Integrity
  • Precision-Driven Results
  • Stronger Together

Our Los Angeles trust litigation lawyers embody these values by centering our clients and their goals in every case. We enter every case by taking the time to listen to you, gather information about the family dynamics in your situation, and learn the facts of your case so that we can build a winning strategy that brings you relief and promotes peace of mind. 

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