Trust Litigation Attorney Serving Los Angeles County
When conflicts erupt between beneficiaries of trusts and the trustees who administer them, it is often due to allegations of trustee misconduct. In some cases, the problem may be with the interpretation of the trusts, or simply poor communication. In others, theft, embezzlement and fraud by trustees have deprived beneficiaries of the money their loved ones set aside to protect them.
For more than 30 years, Attorney John Gantus has represented both trustees and beneficiaries in trust contests of all kinds. He knows how to investigate these situations to get to the truth — and he has the skill to develop compelling legal arguments to protect his clients' rights.
At John M. Gantus & Associates, we provide effective representation both for trust beneficiaries alleging trustee misconduct and for trustees who need defense. Contact us today to discuss your concerns.
Protecting Clients in Contested Trusts
Trustees are fiduciaries, which means they are required to act in the best interest of the trust beneficiaries. Breach of fiduciary duty can be due to negligence or incompetence — but misconduct is a different story. Allegations of trustee misconduct include behavior such as:
- Deliberate refusal to comply with certain terms of the trust
- Refusing to respond to beneficiaries' questions about how the trust assets are being managed
- Manipulating the terms of the trust for financial gain
- Taking excessive compensation
- Taking loans against the trust assets
- Serious conflicts of interest, such as investing trust assets in the trustee's own company
- Fraud
- Theft or embezzlement of trust assets
An experienced trial lawyer, John Gantus knows how to safeguard beneficiaries' interests in probate court. When appropriate, he works with forensic accountants to track how the trust assets were handled, determine if any trust assets have been hidden from the beneficiaries, and expose any other financial or management irregularities.
If a trustee is falsely accused of mismanagement, Mr. Gantus knows how to demonstrate that fact through thorough research and compelling legal arguments. If the relationship between the trustee and the beneficiaries is irreparably damaged due to the allegations of trustee misconduct, he can also assist with a smooth transition to a new trustee.
Contact Us Today
Whether you are a trustee or a trust beneficiary, allegations of trustee misconduct are extremely serious and require experienced counsel. At John M. Gantus & Associates, we have the experience in trust and probate law and the litigation skills to provide effective representation. Contact us today.
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