Trust & Probate Litigation

California Trust & Probate Litigation Attorneys — Will Contests, Trustee Disputes, and Beneficiary Rights.

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Conservatorship Services

Trust and probate disputes are among the most emotionally difficult legal matters a family can face. McLellan Law Group, LLP represents beneficiaries, trustees, and heirs throughout Silicon Valley, Santa Clara County, and the Bay Area in will contests, trustee removal proceedings, breach of fiduciary duty claims, and contested probate matters.


Whether it’s managing medical care, living arrangements, safeguarding their assets, or looking into financial elder abuse - we provide compassionate guidance through every step of the process.

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Litigating Against Heirs

Unfortunately, after the death of a loved one, siblings, relatives, or others may challenge how the assets should be divided. These cases are emotional, particularly where one child uses the death of a parent to claim that other relatives have engaged in bad acts towards the parent. 


Our attorneys have experience handling these cases, even going to trial to protect our clients’ interests. 


We regularly handle trust and probate litigation involving high-net-worth estates in Saratoga, San Jose, Los Gatos, Cupertino, and across Santa Clara County.

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ensurING that your rights are fully protected

We know that these cases can be emotionally taxing, and we will work tirelessly to resolve them as quickly and painlessly as possible. We understand the importance of protecting your assets and your family, and we will do everything we can to ensure that your rights are fully protected.


We also understand the sensitive nature of these disputes, and we are committed to handling each case with the utmost care and discretion.


McLellan Law Group, LLP is based in Saratoga, California and serves trust and probate clients throughout Silicon Valley, the Bay Area, and all of California. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your matter.

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  • What is probate?

    Probate is the legal process of administering a deceased person's estate, ensuring debts are paid and assets are distributed according to their will or state law. In California, probate involves validating the will, appointing an executor, and inventorying the estate's assets. This process can include paying outstanding debts and taxes before distributing the remaining assets to beneficiaries. Probate can be time-consuming and costly, depending on the estate's complexity. Understanding probate is crucial for effective estate planning and protecting your assets.

  • What is a trust?

    A trust is a legal arrangement where one party, known as the trustee, holds and manages assets on behalf of another party, called the beneficiary. Trusts are used to control how and when assets are distributed, often providing tax benefits and avoiding probate. In California, trusts can be revocable or irrevocable, depending on whether they can be altered after creation. Trusts are commonly used in estate planning to protect assets and ensure they are distributed according to the grantor's wishes. Understanding trusts can help in creating a comprehensive estate plan.

  • What is a trustee?

    A trustee is an individual or entity appointed to manage and administer the assets held in a trust on behalf of the beneficiaries. The trustee has a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of the beneficiaries, ensuring the trust's terms are followed. In California, a trustee's responsibilities include managing investments, distributing assets, and maintaining accurate records. Trustees must act with loyalty, care, and impartiality to fulfill their legal obligations. Understanding the role of a trustee is essential for effective trust administration and estate planning.

  • What are a trustee’s fiduciary duties?

    A trustee's fiduciary duties include acting in the best interests of the trust beneficiaries with loyalty, care, and impartiality. Trustees must manage trust assets prudently, avoid conflicts of interest, and ensure transparency by keeping accurate records and providing regular reports to beneficiaries. In California, these duties also require the trustee to follow the terms of the trust document and comply with relevant laws. Breach of fiduciary duty can lead to legal consequences and financial liability. 

Client Testimonials

Hear from OUR CLIENTS

McLellan Law Group, LLP was built by attorneys who understand what it takes to protect something you have poured your heart into. Based in Saratoga and serving businesses, executives, and families throughout Silicon Valley, Santa Clara County, and the Bay Area, we are a California civil litigation firm with a simple mission: turn legal complexity into clarity. We handle employment law, business litigation, real estate disputes, contract claims, trust and probate matters, financial elder abuse, and civil appeals — giving California entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals one trusted firm for every legal challenge they face. When you work with us, you are not just hiring attorneys. You are gaining advocates.

I recommend Attorney Claire Melehani, whose efforts were immediate, determined, analytical, well considered, and constant. Throughout her personal and team efforts, Claire worked hard to build a strong, strategic, and effective case to ensure a positive resolution to an unfolding disruptive and stressful situation. Much appreciation and gratitude.

- Anonymous

We worked with Claire and Steven on a living trust issue that we had, and were very impressed with their professionalism and patience in handling everything. Claire was highly recommended from another firm we had reached out to, and we certainly understand why. The situation we were dealing with was complicated, but both Claire and Steven were quick to get all the facts and wonderful in helping us get a clear game plan figured out. It is reassuring to know that we can always reach out to them for additional help if needed.

- Wendy

Steven’s legal expertise and sophistication were tremendous in resolving key issues in my case. Most important of all, Steven’s ability to bring my case to settlement with eloquent presentation while keeping my focus on the bigger picture was most impressive to me. If ever needed, I would hire Steven for his services in a heartbeat.

- Benjamin