Estate Litigation

Estate Litigation Attorney in Calabasas

Trusted Trust & Estate Dispute Representation for Los Angeles & Ventura County

When a trust or estate dispute surfaces, the last thing a family needs is to hand off their case to a litigation firm that has never seen the underlying documents. At The Pacella Law Group, the attorneys who draft and administer estate plans are the same attorneys who take contested matters into the courtroom. Founded in 2009, our firm brings continuity to a process that can otherwise feel fragmented.

Founding attorney Louis Pacella was admitted to the California State Bar in 2003 and has spent over two decades guiding clients through complex estate, trust, and business matters. His courtroom background spans catastrophic injury claims, fiduciary disputes, and elder financial abuse litigation, giving our estate litigation clients representation that combines procedural depth with substantive knowledge of the underlying documents.

If you’re facing a trust or estate dispute in Calabasas or the surrounding area, contact us at (818) 873-5546 to schedule a free consultation. We can meet at our office, your home, or your place of business.

Who We Represent in Trust & Estate Disputes

The Pacella Law Group represents trustees, beneficiaries, and heirs in contested estate and trust matters. Disputes often arise when an executor or administrator fails to act within their fiduciary duties, when a beneficiary suspects undue influence shaped the decedent’s decisions, or when the validity of a will or trust document itself is questioned.

Standing to raise a dispute generally belongs to those with a direct interest in the estate’s administration: heirs, beneficiaries, and creditors. We analyze the trust documents, assess each claim on its merits, and develop strategies that balance assertive advocacy with the reality that many of these disputes involve family relationships that can outlast the litigation.

How We Evaluate a Contested Estate Matter

Every disputed estate is different. Before recommending a course of action, we review the size of the estate, the relationships among the parties, and any prior estate planning that may affect how California law applies. For clients who aren’t yet sure whether formal litigation is the right step, we walk through what a probate court evaluation would look like, including applicable deadlines, evidentiary considerations, and the practical risk of moving forward compared to standing down.

Our familiarity with California probate rules and local court practices, including those of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, lets us anticipate how disputes are likely to unfold before they escalate. The Pacella Law Group has been recognized with Avvo Client Choice Awards for excellence in estate planning, probate, trusts, and wills.

Serving Calabasas & Nearby Communities

We support clients through probate court processes in both Los Angeles County and Ventura County, whether a matter is administered through the Los Angeles County Superior Court Probate Division or Ventura County Superior Court. Our estate litigation clients come from throughout Calabasas and nearby communities, including Agoura Hills, Thousand Oaks, and Woodland Hills.

Ready to Discuss Your Estate Dispute?

Contested trust and estate matters carry strict deadlines and fact-specific legal questions that benefit from early attention. We offer free consultations and can meet you at your home, your place of business, or virtually, so getting qualified legal guidance doesn’t require rearranging your schedule.

Call The Pacella Law Group at (818) 873-5546 to speak with an estate litigation lawyer serving Calabasas and the greater Los Angeles area.

Grounds for a Will or Trust Contest in California

California Probate Code Section 21310 recognizes several grounds on which a will or trust can be directly contested: lack of testamentary capacity, undue influence, fraud, forgery, duress, and revocation. A lack-of-capacity claim asserts that the person who signed the document didn’t understand its nature or effect at the time of signing. Undue influence means a third party exerted pressure that overrode the decedent’s free will.

Timing matters. A trust contest generally must be filed within 120 days after the trustee serves the required statutory notice, or within 60 days after a copy of the trust is delivered during that window, whichever is later. Missing this deadline can bar the claim entirely, regardless of its merits. The petition is filed in the probate division of the California Superior Court with jurisdiction over the county where the trust is administered.

Many trust documents also include a no-contest clause, a provision that can disinherit a beneficiary who brings an unsuccessful challenge. Whether such a clause applies to a particular action, and whether a probable cause exception might protect the challenger, is a fact-specific question that should be reviewed before any petition is filed.

What Happens After a Contest Is Filed

Once a petition is filed with the probate court, both sides typically exchange evidence through depositions, document requests, and subpoenas. Medical records, financial account histories, communications between the decedent and the drafter, and witness testimony about the decedent’s mental state and relationships are all commonly at issue.

Many contested matters are resolved through negotiation, mediation, or structured settlement before reaching a full trial. When informal resolution isn’t possible, the probate judge evaluates the evidence and applies California law to determine whether the challenged document is valid or whether trustee removal, surcharge, or another remedy is appropriate.

Contact Us Today

At The Pacella Law Group, we're always ready to take your call! Give us a call at (818) 873-5546 or fill out the form below to contact one of our team members.

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See What They Are Saying

Mr. Pacella was extremely knowledgeable, professional, responsive, and helpful
“Mr.Pacella was extremely knowledgeable, professional, responsive, and helpful. I highly recommend him particularly in regards to probate matters. He possesses the expertise needed to navigate a difficult process and resolve probate matters as efficiently as possible”

- Vanessa C.
I am very happy with his service
“I called Louis Pacella's office and had a phone consultation regarding Living Trust questions as my trust was set up by 2 previous attorneys. I emailed him information regarding my trust and he reviewed them and upon our phone consultation, he was able to answer all my questions.

Louis Pacella was able to simply explain the answers to all my questions simply and easily that I could understand in which our previous attorney could not. I learned some new information regarding my account and my issues were solved quickly and simply. Louis Pacella did not charge me for our quick phone consultation though that was offered. Should I have any further questions or issues regarding my Living Trust I will certainly call Louis. I am very happy with his service”

- David C.
They were courteous, sensitive, and available for all of our needs
“Louis and his staff were excellent at preparing and filing the voluminous amount of paperwork required to setup and execute the LLC and trust of my wife's father. They are experts in the field and were always ready with information for our many questions, including many involving unforeseen circumstances. They were courteous, sensitive, and available for all of our needs. I highly recommend Louis' Office for any Trust creation and execution.”

- Ted C.
What stood out more than the professional execution was the positive attitude, genuine care and emotional support Louis provided
“I had a very complex probate situation after my brother and his son died in a plane crash in June 2017. Not only were there basic probate issues, but my brother was operating a complicated international travel business. Louis tackled the project and was able to unwind the business and do all of the "forensic accounting" and client communications. It was a godsend. What stood out more than the professional execution was the positive attitude, genuine care and emotional support Louis provided. He and his team are an elite group of dedicated professionals. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him to anyone with probate and estate planning. First rate company, I'm so very grateful for his services.”

- Brain H.
Fantastic law firm
“Fantastic law firm , true professionals, Highly Recommend”

- Timothy S.
Pricing is fair and customer service is excellent
“We were satisfied with all of the documents prepared by this firm. Pricing is fair and customer service is excellent. Thanks, Louis and team!”

- Periwinkle G.
Louis Pacella has been our lawyer for over 10 years
“Louis Pacella has been our lawyer for over 10 years. He has prepared our estate plan, reviewed real estate transactions, represented us in lawsuits related to our business. He has handled all our legal needs with excellent communication, outstanding professionalism, and is very personable. We have come to think of him as a friend and we give him our highest recommendation.”

- Allan W. & Rex A.
The team is responsive and follow through was great
“The firm is great.The team is responsive and follow through was great. Louis helped us redo our Will and update all the supporting documents of Health Care and Power of Attny. Thanks also to Sheri in his office who kept us up-to-date with paperwork and other important signatures”

- Scott T.
Had a great experience the Pacella Law Group
“Had a great experience the Pacella Law Group (Louis, Stephen, and Sheri were all awesome)! Very practical and knowledgeable and was very pleased with the quality of their documentation! Highly recommend”

- Lauren C.

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