Protecting the rights of beneficiaries, heirs, executors, and trustees in disputes involving wills, trusts, fiduciary duties, and estate assets.
Estate litigation often arises when families, beneficiaries, trustees, executors, or other fiduciaries disagree about property, authority, duties, or a decedent’s wishes. We represent clients in sensitive disputes with a focus on practical resolution and strong advocacy.
Contested probate and will contests, objections to fiduciary accountings, proceedings to remove or compel an executor, administrator, or trustee, claims for breach of fiduciary duty, proceedings to recover assets that belong to an estate, trust disputes, and kinship and inheritance disputes among family members.
Most estate and trust disputes for Westchester are heard at the Westchester County Surrogate's Court, 111 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, White Plains, NY 10601. Certain trust and related matters may also be heard in Supreme Court. We represent clients in both.
No. Many are resolved through negotiation or mediation once the facts and documents are on the table, and the Surrogate's Court offers alternative dispute resolution. We prepare every matter as if it will be tried, which is often what makes a fair settlement possible.
It depends on the role and the outcome. Fiduciaries defending the estate in good faith are often reimbursed from the estate, while individuals pursuing their own claims generally pay their own fees unless the court directs otherwise. We discuss fee structure and likely exposure at the outset.
Every matter depends on its specific facts. Contact us to discuss your goals, deadlines, documents, and the best next step.
Westchester estate matters are heard at the Westchester County Surrogate's Court in White Plains. Our guide explains where it is, what it handles, and what to expect.