Inheritance Disputes
Death Deed Transfer: Can a Transfer on Death Deed Be Contested in California?
Key Takeaways Introduction A transfer-on-death deed is an estate planning tool that can be used to transfer property from an
Jennifer “Jen” Lefton is a California licensed Senior Attorney in RMO’s Orange County office with more than fifteen years of legal experience. She focuses on complex contested matters in the areas of trusts, probates, conservatorship of estates, and financial elder abuse disputes. She represents trustees, conservators, personal representatives, beneficiaries, and other interested parties in these disputes and is frequently retained as the second or third attorney to help resolve stalled cases, develop litigation strategy, and guide matters toward efficient resolution.
Jen brings a distinctive perspective to her practice as one of only a few attorneys in California to hold both a Juris Doctor and a Master’s degree in Legal and Forensic Psychology. Her graduate studies focused on mental/legal capacity and undue influence under probate and civil law, providing her with unique insight into the psychological and legal issues that often arise in the cases that she handles.
In addition to her litigation practice, Jen is a Certified Mediator and regularly helps families, beneficiaries, fiduciaries, and other parties navigate contentious disputes outside the courtroom. She is also a frequent speaker and educator, having presented continuing legal education programs and seminars for attorneys, financial advisors, professional fiduciaries, and community organizations on topics including estate planning, fiduciary duties, financial elder abuse, mental/legal capacity, and trust and estate litigation.
Before joining RMO, Jennifer operated her own law practice for a decade, concentrating almost exclusively on contested probates, trusts, conservatorships, and financial elder abuse matters. Earlier in her career, she did estate planning and briefly worked as a licensed financial advisor, experience that provides additional perspective when disputes involve interpretation of documents, financial management, and fiduciary obligations.
Jen is active in the elder advocacy community and has served in numerous volunteer leadership roles. She currently serves as a Specialist on the Financial Abuse Specialist Team (FAST) through the Council on Aging Southern California and previously served as a founding board member of Ageless Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to elder abuse awareness and prevention, and as a member of the Board of Directors for AgeWell Senior Services.
Jen enjoys spending time with her three adult sons and her fox-red yellow lab, traveling, and reading.
University of California, Irvine, MLFP Masters in Legal & Forensic Psychology, thesis and expertise in mental/legal capacity and undue influence on Probate/Civil matters
University of Denver Sturm College of Law, J.D.
University of California, Riverside, B.A., Art History, Anthropology, and French (studied abroad in France Junior year at the Université de Poitiers)
Certified Mediator, Requisite training completed through OC Human Relations and years of experience mediating cases
Key Takeaways RMO LLP is pleased to announce that Jennifer Lefton has joined our Orange County office as a Senior Attorney. Lefton represents trustees, [...]
Key Takeaways RMO LLP is pleased to announce that Jennifer Lefton has joined our Orange County office as a Senior Attorney. Lefton represents trustees, […]
Insights and advice on trust and probate estate litigation from our blog.
Key Takeaways Introduction A transfer-on-death deed is an estate planning tool that can be used to transfer property from an
Key Takeaways Introduction The trustee role is crucial for ensuring that a trust is administered responsibly and in accordance with
Key Takeaways Introduction It happens far too often that a wealthy family that has always been close and harmonious runs
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