Our Practice Areas

Probate is the legal process through which a person's legal and financial affairs are completed and resolved after their death. In California, probate is conducted in the county where the deceased individual lived. Probate can occur whether or not the person had a will in place at the time of death. When a loved one dies, handling the administration of their estate and going through the probate process can be emotionally challenging and legally complex.

Whether a Will exists or not, probate administration may be required. Once a person passes away, you may have problems transferring assets. If the deceased was the only one authorized to transfer property, such as a bank account or real estate, there may not be any way of transferring it without probate. The probate court will issue orders allowing the assets to be transferred, and will oversee that the estate is properly used for the payment of creditors and the distribution to the heirs. Probate also has benefits in cutting off claims of creditors unless they are made within a set period of time after notice is given.

At Hagopjanian Law Group, PC, our office is well versed in representing clients in probate court. Contact our lawyers for an initial consultation.

At Hagopjanian Law Group, PC, we handle complex trust and estate disputes, including trust contests, will challenges, fiduciary breaches, and beneficiary conflicts. We protect the rights of trustees, beneficiaries, and heirs in matters involving mismanagement, fraud, or undue influence. Our experienced attorneys provide strategic, results‑driven representation to safeguard your interests and your family's legacy. Our firm provides skilled and strategic representation to protect your rights, whether you are a beneficiary, trustee, or heir.

Our trust and estate litigation services include:

• Trust and Will Contests – Challenging or defending trusts and wills based on fraud, undue influence, lack of capacity, or improper execution.
• Fiduciary Litigation – Pursuing or defending claims for breach of fiduciary duty, mismanagement, or self-dealing by trustees, executors, or administrators.
• Beneficiary and Heir Disputes – Ensuring fair treatment, transparency, and proper asset distribution.
• Trust Interpretation and Modification – Resolving ambiguities, clarifying settlor intent, and navigating modifications or terminations of trusts.
• Estate Administration Conflicts – Handling disputes over asset distribution, creditor claims, and will interpretation.

Our approach combines deep knowledge of California probate law with strategic litigation planning and a practical, client-focused mindset. We understand that trust and estate disputes are often emotionally charged, especially among family members, and we work to protect your interests while striving to preserve family relationships whenever possible.

If you are facing a trust or estate dispute, Hagopjanian Law Group, PC can provide the guidance and advocacy needed to resolve these matters effectively and protect your family's legacy.

Has a parent, friend, or loved one begun making poor decisions that put their financial or personal well‑being at risk? In today's world, financial elder abuse and exploitation of the disabled are growing concerns.

A conservatorship is one of the most effective tools for protecting adults who can no longer protect themselves—whether due to dementia, sudden medical events like a stroke, or developmental disability. When an elder or incapacitated person cannot resist undue influence from others, a conservatorship can stop the abuse, prevent further harm, and ensure their daily needs and finances are properly managed.

At Hagopjanian Law Group, PC, our experienced conservatorship attorneys have spent decades protecting vulnerable adults in Southern California. If you are struggling with the challenges of caring for an incapacitated loved one, we can help you:

• Reduce unnecessary worry and stress
• Ensure your loved one's wishes and needs are respected
• Put legal safeguards in place to protect health and finances

Administering a trust can be overwhelming, especially when family tensions, miscommunication, or conflicts arise. At Hagopjanian Law Group, PC, we guide trustees and beneficiaries through the trust administration process efficiently and in full compliance with California law. Our goal is to protect trustees from liability, resolve disputes, and ensure the trust is administered properly so issues don't resurface.

What Trustees Need to Know

Trust administration begins when the grantor passes away, and the successor trustee is responsible for managing and distributing trust assets. California imposes strict fiduciary duties under Probate Code §§16000–16249, including:

• Acting honestly, transparently, and in good faith
• Acting in the best interests of all beneficiaries
• Remaining impartial among multiple beneficiaries
• Managing and distributing assets according to the trust

Failing to follow these duties can lead to personal liability, removal, or litigation.

How We Help Trustees and Beneficiaries

We streamline the trust administration process by handling:

• Collecting, managing, and valuing trust assets
• Preparing required notices and accountings
• Paying valid debts, expenses, and taxes
• Coordinating with CPAs for tax compliance
• Communicating with beneficiaries to minimize disputes
• Distributing assets accurately and efficiently

Our experience in trust and estate litigation also allows us to prevent and resolve conflicts before they escalate to court.

Your Trust Administration Partner

Trust administration is a serious responsibility, and mistakes can be costly. Hagopjanian Law Group, PC provides personalized guidance to help trustees and beneficiaries navigate the process confidently and avoid disputes.

If you are facing trust administration in Southern California, we can protect your interests and ensure the trust is properly managed under California law.

Planning for the future is never easy, but estate planning ensures your wishes are carried out and your loved ones are protected. At Hagopjanian Law Group, PC, we help you create a plan that directs how your assets will be managed during your life, in the event of incapacity, and after your passing. A clear estate plan saves your family time, money, and unnecessary stress.

Why Estate Planning Matters

Without a proper estate plan, your family may face probate, court intervention, and unnecessary taxes. By planning ahead, you can:

• Control who inherits your assets and under what conditions
• Avoid or minimize probate and court involvement
• Reduce or eliminate estate taxes and administrative costs
• Appoint trusted individuals to manage your affairs if you become incapacitated
• Protect vulnerable beneficiaries through Special Needs Trusts or conditional distributions

Core Estate Planning Tools

Our firm tailors your plan to your unique needs using tools such as:

• Last Will & Testament – Directs how your assets are distributed
• Revocable (Living) Trust – Avoids probate and allows smooth management in case of disability
• Durable Power of Attorney – Authorizes a trusted person to handle financial matters if you cannot
• Advance Health Care Directive – Ensures your medical wishes are followed if you become incapacitated
• Special Needs Trusts – Protects government benefits for disabled beneficiaries

A revocable trust is especially valuable because it allows your successor trustee to manage and transfer your assets without probate or conservatorship, even if you become disabled.

Avoiding Probate & Conservatorship

Probate and conservatorships are costly, time-consuming, and public. A properly funded living trust ensures your assets are managed and distributed privately, efficiently, and according to your wishes. Successor trustees can immediately step in to handle finances and distributions without court approval, protecting your estate and loved ones from delays and unnecessary expenses.

Your Southern California Planning Partner

At Hagopjanian Law Group, PC, we combine deep experience in estate planning and trust administration with a practical, client-focused approach. We help you create a plan that gives you peace of mind today and protects your family tomorrow.

At Hagopjanian Law Group, PC, we provide strategic legal solutions for business owners and entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey. Whether you are forming a new business, negotiating contracts, or facing complex litigation, our goal is to protect your interests and position your business for long-term success.

Our firm handles a wide range of business law and litigation matters, including:

• Business formation and entity structuring
• Partnership and shareholder disputes
• Breach of contract and commercial litigation
• Business dissolution and succession planning

Disputes are an inevitable part of doing business, but the right legal strategy can minimize disruption and maximize your leverage. We combine litigation experience with practical business insight to help our clients resolve conflicts efficiently—whether through negotiation, mediation, or trial.

Partner with a firm that understands both the legal and business sides of your operations. Contact us today to learn how we can help protect and grow your business.