OUR ELDER AND PROBATE LAW PRACTICE
The State of California has enacted special laws to protect elderly and dependent adults from physical abuse, financial abuse, neglect and unfair business practices These laws protect elderly and dependent adults from unscrupulous or neglectful caregivers, financial advisors and institutions, vendors, acquaintances and relatives. Hicks, Mims & Kaplan has extensive experience both defending and prosecuting elder abuse claims. If you have questions concerning the possible physical or financial abuse of an elder or dependent adult, you should immediately
contact us.
Probate is the Court supervised process for passing assets to heirs. Because of the value of California real estate, it is increasingly common for California residents of even modest means to have estates of substantial value. Unfortunately, the combination of poor estate planning, death, money, extended families and friendships often leads to inheritance disputes and probate proceedings contesting the validity or the interpretation of the Wills and trusts of the decedent.
Hicks, Mims & Kaplan represents beneficiaries, heirs and fiduciaries in Will and trust contests and related proceedings. If you are involved in an inheritance dispute, you should not rely on other heirs to protect your interests because these disputes are frequently resolved by the contestants divvying up the estate to the exclusion of heirs that have not legally joined the contest. Moreover, your inheritance may be forfeited unless you timely assert your claim.
Hicks, Mims & Kaplan can often expeditiously resolve Wills and trust contests by innovative tax-efficient settlements that maximize the inheritance of all of the heirs. If you have any questions concerning your estate or inheritance,
please contact us.