Trusts & Estates Litigation

A family’s legacy is a powerful tool and enduring gift to future generations. Comprehensive planning and consensus building prevent conflicts down the road, but there are no guarantees that disputes won’t arise. When individuals, families, businesses and other entities are confronted with the high financial stakes, challenging family dynamics, and complex tax issues posed by trust and estate controversies, they know they can turn to us for guidance.

HOW WE HELP

Seyfarth’s Trusts & Estates team is made up of advisors with deep knowledge of tax estate planning and estate administration who can straddle the line between transactional and litigation matters, and patiently navigate the human side of the equation. Our attorneys understand the sensitive dynamics of family, finances, and business—and that when not all parties are on the same page this interaction can be a complicated, emotional, and highly personal endeavor.

OUR SERVICES

Although the team’s first priority is always to resolve disputes through negotiation, our attorneys are prepared to vigorously represent clients’ interests in court. Our team represents individual and fiduciaries and corporate fiduciaries in their capacities as executors, trustees, conservators, guardians, administrators, as well as individual and charitable beneficiaries and other interested parties, on all aspects of trust and estate litigation, including:

• Asset discovery
• Tax controversies
• Will, trust, conservator, and guardianship cases
• Contested powers of attorney
• Will and trust construction and reformation proceedings
• Breach of fiduciary duty claims
• Charitable and exempt organization disputes
• Wrongful death recovery
• Family and estate management disputes

Our Trusts & Estates attorneys also represent fiduciaries and beneficiaries throughout the probate process, including opening and closing estates, collecting assets, filing and defending against claims, and counseling on transfer tax matters, income tax planning, disclaimers, and resolution of conflicts among beneficiaries.

THE SEYFARTH EXPERIENCE

Trusts & Estates clients benefit significantly from Seyfarth’s full-service model and national footprint, while our attorneys provide the individual attention that is more often found at an estate-planning boutique or a smaller firm.  Our team draws on the knowledge and experience of the firm’s tax, real estate, corporate and securities, insurance, and litigation groups to deliver comprehensive representation that allows our attorneys to look at a conflict from all sides.