Pasadena Probate Lawyers & Trust Attorneys

At RMO, our probate lawyers and trust litigation attorneys have the experience to effectively assist beneficiaries, heirs, families, and clients. Our attorneys have been recognized by SuperLawyers, AVVO, and Martindale-Hubble as the best in Los Angeles.

(626) 772-3335

[email protected]

35 N. Lake Avenue, Suite 710, Pasadena, CA 91101

Ready to Get Started?

Probate & Trust Services We Offer

Trust litigation, probate, and other matters surrounding these areas come with detailed legal processes and nuances that are not easy for the average person to navigate, especially if potential disputes are involved. An experienced attorney is a crucial resource along the way. Whether you need a living trust attorney in Pasadena or a probate lawyer, RMO Lawyers can help provide the guidance and support necessary for your case.

Trust Litigation

Trust litigation is necessary when disputes arise regarding the administration of a trust. Potential disputes can include questions about the interpretation of a trust document, allegations of trustee misconduct, disagreements between beneficiaries, and more. Our Pasadena trust attorneys at RMO can help, representing clients in multiple areas of trust litigation to resolve disputes and facilitate the administration of a trust as outlined by the decedent’s wishes.

Conservatorship & Guardianship

A conservatorship or guardianship is an arrangement that may be necessary when a vulnerable individual is unable to make financial or medical decisions on their own, designating a person to make these decisions on their behalf. This arrangement can potentially lead to disputes over a trust in the event of a conservatee or ward’s death, especially if there are disagreements between loved ones regarding the distribution of assets or the legitimacy of a trust or will. A Pasadena conservatorship attorney can help clients navigate the nuanced legal processes in establishing a conservatorship/guardianship, facilitate the administration of a trust, and help resolve any potential disputes to center the best interests of the vulnerable individual.

Probate Estate Litigation

When someone dies with or without a will, the family will likely go through the probate process to determine how to distribute the estate's assets. Navigating the probate process while grieving the loss of a loved one can often be a significant source of stress for families. If there are disagreements surrounding the interpretation of a will or the distribution of assets, probate estate litigation is often necessary for finding a resolution. Pasadena probate lawyers at RMO can provide crucial support in the process, from offering legal guidance in protecting an inheritance claim to resolving disputes amongst interested parties.

Financial Elder Abuse

Financial elder abuse takes place when a bad actor manipulates or exploits an elderly individual for their own financial gain. Instances of financial elder abuse can include a caregiver stealing an elderly individual’s credit card, a family member encouraging a senior to invest in a questionable initiative, or a stranger manipulating an individual into sharing their financial information. Our Pasadena financial elder abuse lawyers will provide support by gathering evidence to build a case against the perpetrator and representing victims in seeking appropriate restitution for their losses.

Who We Represent

Probate, trust litigation, and related matters involve several interested parties, and RMO Lawyers can offer support on various sides. We represent the following clients in Pasadena to help them navigate their legal situation and achieve a fair resolution to potential disputes.

TRUSTEES

Trustees have a complex role in the trust administration process, as they are responsible for carrying out the fair administration of a trust, upholding their fiduciary duties, and managing disputes between interested parties. A trust attorney can be a great resource for trustees, helping them understand their full legal responsibilities, uphold their fiduciary duties, and address any potential disputes.

Our Pasadena trust attorneys can support trustees in this process by offering guidance for navigating important legal processes, providing strategic advice, and defending against any claims of misconduct.

BENEFICIARIES AND HEIRS

Beneficiaries and heirs receive direct claims to an inheritance as outlined by a will or trust, but the process is not always straightforward. For example, a beneficiary may face disputes from other interested parties about the allocation of an inheritance, have concerns about the conduct and actions of trustees, or simply need guidance in enforcing their rights.

Our Pasadena trust attorneys can help protect the rights of beneficiaries and heirs, resolve disputes surrounding trust allocations or interpretations, and safeguard each party in receiving their rightful inheritance to fulfill the wishes of the decedent.

SPOUSES

Losing a spouse is a difficult and emotional time, making it all the more difficult to navigate legal proceedings when disputes arise. Spouses are often afforded special rights in the fair and equitable distribution of the estate, but securing these rights through the appropriate procedures can be a meticulous process. Spouses may also have to navigate disputes with other interested parties who have claims to the decedent’s assets.

A trust attorney in Pasadena can make the process easier by offering legal guidance and representation to preserve the spouse’s rights and assist in obtaining the assets that are rightfully theirs.

CONSERVATORS & GUARDIANS

If you are a conservator or guardian and your conservatee or ward has passed, you may experience potential disputes between beneficiaries and other interested parties regarding their assets. Legal representation can help clients navigate these disputes and understand their general responsibilities as a conservator or guardian.

Our attorneys at RMO can represent conservators and guardians in Pasadena in establishing an arrangement, ensuring the proper administration of a trust, or resolving disputes surrounding their assets to find a resolution that protects the individual’s best interests.

CREDITORS

A creditor is any party to whom a decedent owed money at the time of their death. Creditors may be able to lay claim to a portion of the estate to resolve these debts, but there are often legal requirements on how to assert these claims and how much time they have to do so.

Our attorneys can represent creditors in Pasadena to help them navigate this process and receive appropriate compensation for the debts they’re owed. Our team can support creditors in filing legal claims, negotiating settlements with the estate, and resolving disputes to recuperate financial losses.

Why Hire RMO Lawyers?

Our clients in Pasadena and throughout Southern California recognize us not only as some of the best lawyers in the area but also as even better people. We strive to not only be the best representatives for our clients in the courtroom but also support our community as quality individuals. Throughout every step, we prioritize your goals and your needs.

Our team of Pasadena trust attorneys and probate lawyers is guided by our core values:

Lead with Empathy
Be Authentic
We’re Stronger Together
Zealous Efficacy

These core values mean you can expect us to go to every length to understand your case and find you an appropriate resolution. We take the time to listen to you and your needs, understand any family dynamics that influence the case, and learn all the facts. We’ll use these details to develop a winning strategy for your case and achieve the best possible outcome for you in the courtroom.

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

“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!”

“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!”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“I had nowhere to turn regarding my Father. Thank you. You gave me hope again.”

Our Case Results

RMO has a proven track record of protecting people and defending legacies.

TRIAL VICTORIES

TRUSTEES

PROBATE ESTATE EXECUTORS & ADMINISTRATORS

BENEFICIARIES & HEIRS

SPOUSES

CONSERVATORSHIPS/GUARDIANSHIPS

PROBATE APPEALS

FINANCIAL ELDER ABUSE

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TRIAL VICTORIES

TRUSTEES

PROBATE ESTATE EXECUTORS & ADMINISTRATORS

BENEFICIARIES & HEIRS

SPOUSES

CONSERVATORSHIPS/
GUARDIANSHIPS

PROBATE APPEALS

FINANCIAL ELDER ABUSE

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Trust Amendment Invalidated for Undue Influence

After trial, awarded a seven-figure judgment, plus attorney’s fees and costs on behalf of the elderly niece of the decedent, where auntie’s neighbor/caregiver used undue influence to connive her way into becoming the primary beneficiary of her trust shortly before she passed.

Defense of Trustee Against Breach of Fiduciary Duty for Imprudent Investments

Defended the successor trustee of a family trust against claims from his brother that he had breached his fiduciary duty to invest trust assets prudently when a concentrated commodity position he amassed lost essentially all its value swiftly. The probate court denied the charge on evidence presented by RMO that the trust’s broad investment powers and the deceased settlor’s speculative investment meant there the investment loss could not constitute a breach.

Recovery of Stolen Trust Property + Double Damages and Attorney’s Fees

Representing the successor professional fiduciary trustee, secured a seven-figure probate court judgment, plus double damages, attorney’s fees and costs in recovering real property that had been transferred and stolen by an unscrupulous trust beneficiary.

Addressing Grandma’s Stolen Home

On behalf of the granddaughter administrator of grandma’s probate estate, secured a judgment against grandma’s daughter and son-in-law to recover title to grandma’s home and monies wrongfully withdrawn against the property.

Dependent Adult Financial Abuse Remedied

Secured the intestate probate estate of our clients, the rightful heirs of their cousin’s estate, who had fallen prey to an ex-con drug dealer “friend” who had coerced the cousin to sign will documents while dying in his hospital bed.

Thieving Neighbor’s Financial Elder Abuse Rectified, With Double Damages

Representing the institutional successor trustee of a family trust, obtained a financial elder abuse judgment against a neighbor “friend” abuser who had taken significant sums of money from an elderly man just months before he died, including double damages interest, attorney’s fees and costs.

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Summary Adjudication of Disinherited Beneficiary’s Trust Contest

Swiftly secured the dismissal of a trust contest of a disgruntled, disinherited trust beneficiary on a motion after strategically allowing the trust contest period to expire before serving a notice of proposed action to distribute trust assets to the trust’s remaining beneficiaries and nothing to the disinherited beneficiary.

Secured Family’s Business Legacy

Representing the successor family trustee, secured the generational family business for the decedent’s heirs by acquiring from a disgruntled beneficiary their interest in the family business on extremely favorable terms that will allow the family to continue operating the family business for future generations to come.

Defense of Financial Elder Abuse Claim Against Surviving Spouse Trustee

Successfully defended a surviving spouse trustee against financial elder abuse and other claims made by family members who said she had fraudulently transferred assets to herself from her late husband’s trust and estate.

Prevented Trustee Removal for Badly-Lawyered Trust Accounting

Staved off suspension, removal and surcharge for a trustee who had failed to properly or timely provide court-ordered trust accountings to trust beneficiaries and was staring down an imminent deadline, as well as suspension, removal and surcharge.

Trustee Removal for Fraud

Neutralized and secured removal of a hostile co-trustee who was attempting to bilk our client’s trust of millions of dollars through a series of fabricated claims.

Thieving Trustee Removed and Surcharged

Secured removal of a thieving co-trustee daughter whose malfeasance left her own mother destitute and unable to pay her bills, including recovery of the stolen assets, attorney fees and costs.

Trust Beneficiary Dispute Squashed & Partition Avoided

Swooped in on behalf of an institutional trustee after years of protracted litigation to secure a decision from the Los Angeles probate court to end a years-long dispute between feuding siblings over the distribution of their parents’ estate, avoiding distribution of assets in-kind, which would have only resulted in partition.

Sub-Trust Allocations Defended

Client’s mother survived step-dad and succeeded him as trustee of their family trust. After mom passed, step-dad’s children alleged she had improperly allocated trust assets to favor her survivor’s trust, which went to our client, over the marital trust, which went to step-dad’s children. Using historic appraisals and valuations, demonstrated the disputed allocation was reasonable, resolving the dispute.

Inept Trustee Removed & Client Appointed Successor Trustee to Save Estate

Non-responsive and ineffective trustee who had done little to nothing to administer the trust or protect trust assets from waste following decedent’s passing was removed and our client appointed as successor trustee by the probate court, avoiding further damage.

Racist Trustee Removed and Surcharged

Removed and obtained surcharge of a non-beneficiary family trustee who hurled racial epthets at our client, refused to account, and tried to sell the house intended for our sole trust beneficiary client out of spite, securing the home for our client and her family.

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Mom’s House and Legacy Saved from Foreclosure

Prevented foreclosure of mom’s house - the estate’s only significant asset - by securing ex parte appointment as Special Administrator and then obtaining a temporary restraining order preventing the home’s foreclosure so the property could be sold, securing mom’s legacy for her children and grandchildren.

Family Jewels Recovered

On behalf of a professional fiduciary, convinced the probate court to award our client double damages, attorney’s fees and costs in addition to recovery of significant personal property wrongfully taken from - and refused to be returned to - the estate.

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Saving the Family Farm

Helped family members recover ownership of the multi-million dollar family farm that had been transferred out of an irrevocable trust improperly by an unscrupulous trustee through the fraudulent use of a decanting statute.

Estate Administrator’s Fraudulent Probate Accounting Revealed

Represented decedent’s children in a contested probate accounting over various expenses the administrator attempted to charge against the estate, and then further successfully obtained an order from the court shifting a portion of the client’s fees and cost to several unrepresented heirs through a “common fund” theory of fee recovery.

“Death Bed” Trust Amendment Thwarted

Within weeks, secured evidence sufficient to convince the surviving step-parent perpetrator of a “death bed” trust amendment that disinherited our client to abandon the amendment and pay our client his high seven-figure inheritance.

Holographic Trust Amendment Neutered

Secured summary judgment on behalf of a trust beneficiary where the trustee claimed a holographic trust amendment halved our client’s inheritance, resulting in our client receiving her full inheritance and the trust paying her attorney’s fees and costs.

Invalidated Assignment of Elder Beneficiary’s Interest

Secured an elderly client’s rightful inheritance from her brother’s estate, invalidating the ill-gotten assignment the brother’s widow and her attorney had secured from her using subterfuge and without advising her to seek her own counsel.

Disputed Heirship Recognized

Effectuated heirship for the secret scion daughter of the decedent, who learned of his daughter only late in life and came to celebrate their relationship and hold her out to his community and confidants, but refrained from sharing their relationship with his wife and daughter, which led to disputed heirship after he passed.

Another “Death Bed” Trust Amendment Avoided

Within 45 days of engagement, secured 125% of our clients’ original bequests, plus attorney’s fees and costs, from their long-time friend’s estate after the 85 year-old decedent’s new “husband” unduly influenced the creation of a trust amendment to take the entirety of the estate for himself.

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Third Time’s The Charm - Eight Figure Trust Saved for Surviving Spouse

Represented the surviving spouse of her deceased husband’s high eight figure trust estate, which, through some ill-advised estate planning, had left the client as a co-fiduciary with her estranged stepson and a bungling property manager. Prior litigation with previous counsel resulted only in our client’s resignation, which allowed the bunglers to further waste trust assets. Secured a final, global resolution for the surviving spouse that secured the resignations of the “bad” trustees and replaced them with an institutional trustee who is working to remedy their bad acts and save the estate.

Long Overdue Child Support Secured from Deadbeat Dad’s Estate

Represented former spouse in collecting long-unpaid child support through creditor’s claim procedure from her ex-husband’s estate.

Retirement Benefits Secured for Surviving Spouse

Represented the surviving spouse in successfully defending her status as beneficiary of her deceased husband’s retirement benefits against contest by the decedent’s former wife and children, who had claimed lack of capacity and undue influence.

Disposed of Interloping Ex-Spouse’s Trust Contest

Represented the surviving spouse trustee of her deceased husband’s trust against a trust contest on the grounds of incapacity and undue influence by the husband’s first wife - and his children from that marriage - all of whom had been disinherited by the decedent. Deployed tried and true probate litigation tactics to put the interlopers to task, which resulted in the court dismissing their claims, saving significant time and money.

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Online Romance Fraud Halted

Established an emergency conservatorship of the estate of a divorcee who had been ensnared by Nigerian fraudsters,who had infiltrated, isolated, defrauded and unduly influenced her into sending them millions, leaving her destitute and unable to buy food.

Conservatee Protected, Financial Advisor Fraudster Barred from Industry

Represented a court-appointed guardian ad litem in securing a prosecution agreement with counsel for the conservator of an institutionalized dementia patient who was taken advantage of financially by her financial advisor, leading to his permanent bar from the financial services industry.

Protected Elder Father from His Own Daughters

On behalf of his wife, established conservatorship of an elderly man over the protests of his daughters, who were his attorneys-in-fact and nominated conservators, living rent-free in his properties, and had repeatedly threatened to withhold caregiving. Secured ex parte suspension of the daughters’ powers of attorney and appointment of a private professional fiduciary to protect dad, which was granted by probate court.

Grandmother Safeguarded

Secured appointment of a private professional fiduciary for grandmother on behalf of grandson, and over the objections of grandson’s aunt, who, along with her husband, had been exploiting grandma financially, securing grandma’s return home and well being.

Guardianships for Kidnapped Parent

In two separate cases, established a guardianship for our client on behalf of their parent after the parent was secretly moved across state lines by our clients’ siblings so the kidnapping sibling could take financial advantage of the parent.

Conservatorship Thwarted

Defeated wife’s attempt to have herself appointed as conservator for husband when dad resisted wife’s efforts to unduly influence him to change his estate plan in her favor.

Conservatorship Financial Abuser Defeated

Defeated financial abusing neighbor’s attempts to establish himself as conservator for his elderly neighbor, from whom he had transferred her properties into his name, added himself to her accounts, and changed her estate planning documents to name himself as executor, trustee and sole beneficiary.

Parents Protected from Feuding Daughters

Represented the private professional fiduciary appointee in securing appointment in contested conservatorships for mom and dad where the parents had become the victims of their daughters’ infighting and efforts to control them and their finances.

Two Dads Protected from their Feuding Sons

In separate cases, secured appointment of a private professional fiduciary to serve as conservator for each dad to protect him from a ne'er do well son who was taking advantage of him financially.

Conservatorship for Wandering Mom

On behalf of daughter, established conservatorship for mom, whose dementia manifested itself in part in wandering, over the objection of mom’s live-in boyfriend, who failed to protect mom from wandering and, investigation showed, was taking financial advantage of mom.

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Jurisdiction ≠ Forum Non Convenience

In a published opinion, obtained reversal of a lower court decision confusing jurisdiction with forum non conviens, re-establishing the trust beneficiary’s right to continue prosecuting his fraud, undue influence, and financial elder abuse claims.

Settlement Approved, Confirmed and Enforced

Represented trustee, at trial and on appeal, to enforce a settlement agreement addressing his co-trustee’s a breach of fiduciary duties, after the offending co-trustee fraudulently claimed he had satisfied his obligations under the agreement.

Trust Contest Win Buttressed

Successfully defended trustee and sole beneficiary against trust contest by disinherited heir. Then, when the trial judge erroneously entered judgment creating potential exposure for subsequent litigation, prevailed on appeal to modify the judgment to insulate the trustee from any possible further litigation.

Life Insurance Proceeds Confirmed as Trust Asset

Represented trustee of irrevocable trust in a published appellate decision confirming the trust could be funded properly with life insurance proceeds even though all formalities typically required by the terms of the life insurance policy had not been satisfied.

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Forged Estate Planning Documents Disregarded

Secured the estate of our client’s late father, who had been victimized by childhood friends who had forged estate planning documents to steal his estate from his family.

Fraudulent Property Transfers Invalidated

Secured return of our client’s home value after her daughter and son-in-law moved into the home under the guise of “helping” her, only to defraud her into signing documents signing her home over to them, after which they forced her out of her home.

Caregiver “Girlfriend’s” Grift Righted

Recovered the home of an infirm, institutionalized senior who had been victimized by his “girlfriend,” an opportunistic volunteer at his care facility, securing his golden years.

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FROM THE BLOG

The Guide to Family Trust Embezzlement and Stealing

Family trust embezzlement and stealing is more common than you might think. At RMO Lawyers, we investigate, prosecute and defend these claims every day…

The Penalty for Stealing from an Estate

When an abuser steals from an estate, the penalty can be as little as simply returning the stolen monies or assets to the trust or estate. However, the California Probate Code does…

What does a probate lawyer do?

When a person passes away, their assets must be disbursed in a manner consistent with state laws and following the directions they put forth when they were alive…

Pasadena Probate Lawyers & Trust Attorneys

(626) 772-3335

[email protected]

Ready to Get Started?

Probate & Trust Services We Offer

Trust Litigation

Conservatorship & Guardianship

Probate Estate Litigation

Financial Elder Abuse

Who We Represent

TRUSTEES

BENEFICIARIES AND HEIRS

SPOUSES

CONSERVATORS & GUARDIANS

CREDITORS

Why Hire RMO Lawyers?

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

Our Case Results

FROM THE BLOG

The Guide to Family Trust Embezzlement and Stealing

The Penalty for Stealing from an Estate

What does a probate lawyer do?

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Blog

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