Inheritance recovery attorneys of Pasadena, California provides legal services related to the recovery of assets or inheritances that may be rightfully yours but are being withheld or disputed. These attorneys specialize in probate and estate law and assist clients in navigating the complexities of inheritance disputes. Here is a summary of the services they typically offer:
- Inheritance Dispute Resolution: Inheritance recovery attorneys help clients resolve disputes arising from contested wills, trusts, or estate distributions. They analyze the legal documents, assess the validity of claims, and represent clients in negotiations, mediation, or court proceedings.
- Will and Trust Contests: If you believe a will or trust is invalid due to fraud, undue influence, lack of capacity, or other factors, an inheritance recovery attorney can guide you through the process of contesting it. They will gather evidence, file necessary legal documents, and advocate for your interests in court.
- Asset Tracing and Recovery: In cases where assets have been wrongfully transferred, hidden, or misappropriated, these attorneys employ strategies to trace and recover the assets on behalf of their clients. They may work with forensic accountants or investigators to uncover hidden or diverted wealth.
- Probate Litigation: If disputes arise during the probate process, such as disagreements among beneficiaries or challenges to the executor’s actions, an inheritance recovery attorney can represent your interests in probate court. They will present arguments, file motions, and advocate for a fair distribution of assets.
- Fiduciary Duty Claims: If an executor, trustee, or other fiduciary fails to fulfill their legal duties, an inheritance recovery attorney can help you bring a claim against them. They will investigate breaches of fiduciary duty, pursue legal remedies, and seek compensation for any losses incurred.
- Estate Planning and Asset Protection: In addition to resolving inheritance disputes, some inheritance recovery attorneys also provide estate planning services. They can help clients create wills, trusts, and other estate planning documents to protect their assets and ensure a smooth transfer of wealth to beneficiaries.
It’s important to note that the specific services offered by an inheritance recovery attorney may vary depending on their expertise and the unique circumstances of your case. When consulting with an attorney, it’s advisable to discuss your situation in detail and inquire about the specific services they provide.
Vanessa
Vanessa is a partner at Lagerlof Lawyers, LLP, one of longest standing law firms in all of Pasadena. She specializes in estate planning and trust and probate administration. Vanessa Terzian began her legal career as a trust officer for Wells Fargo, N.A., where her experience working closely with clients, portfolio managers, beneficiaries, and other attorneys, shed light on how a poor estate plan can ruin a family’s fortune and more importantly, its relationships.
After witnessing firsthand the importance of proper planning, Vanessa pursued her own practice, helping countless families through her expertise in estate and tax planning, probate, and trust administration.
In May 2018, Vanessa merged her practice with a Pasadena-based estate-planning firm, Primuth and Driskell, LLP, now known as Primuth, Driskell, and Terzian, LLP, which later merged with Lagerlof, LLP.
What sets Vanessa apart is her understanding of the needs of growing families, her ability to relate to working parents who desire a better life for themselves and their families, and her know-how in implementing strategic estate-planning tools in the most cost-efficient and seamless manner. Vanessa also draws on her real estate and business background in crafting comprehensive plans for her clients.
Vanessa is a skilled public speaker, having conducted countless seminars throughout her legal career on various estate-planning topics, including kids protection planning, special needs planning, Medi-Cal planning, advanced tax planning, and asset protection for individuals and small businesses. Vanessa is a faculty member at the Institute for Preparing Heirs®.
Vanessa graduated from Loyola Law School, where she earned a scholarship for her academic excellence and community service. She has also served as an adjunct professor of Wills and Trusts at Southwestern Law School, and has been named a top attorney in Pasadena Magazine, and a Rising Star™ by Super Lawyers®, for the past several years.
Vanessa is an active member of the La Cañada Flintridge community, where she resides with her husband, Edward, and two sons, Alec and Jack. She is a board director of the La Cañada Education Foundation and participates in a number of charitable organizations. Vanessa has successfully raised thousands of dollars for a variety of charitable causes through fundraising campaigns, which include frequent community-based public speaking events, charitable dinners, and personal contributions. She believes that the foundation to a successful family unit is care, love, and selflessness, and she stresses the importance of providing your community with these same tenets that are so essential to your own family’s success.
As a family woman, Vanessa understands the importance of protecting assets, planning for the future, and building your own legacy. She takes pride in providing her clients with the sense of comfort and security that comes along with having an effective and comprehensive estate plan in place.