what kind of lawyer do i need to sue my sister and our estate attorney. she is stealing from estate

If you suspect a sibling is stealing from an estate or trust in which you are a beneficiary, you very likely need the protection of a trust litigation attorney. Unfortunately, sibling theft is an all-too-common occurrence.

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Should I Ask an attorney about suing someone?

If you suspect a sibling is stealing from an estate or trust in which you are a beneficiary, you very likely need the protection of a trust litigation attorney. Unfortunately, sibling theft is an all-too-common occurrence. Fortunately, an experienced trust litigation attorney can usually help recover stolen assets, and quite possibly have your sibling disinherited and recover attorney’s fees and …

How do I sue a lawyer for negligence?

Jul 25, 2015 · As suggested you need a probate attorney that has experienced with probate litigation. You will need to provide the attorney with additional facts, such as date of death, if there was a will, if any probate proceedings have been initiated in probate court, etc. Use the "Find a lawyer" tool on Avvo to reach out to some attorneys in the county where your father resided …

Can I Sue my Family over an estate dispute?

Sep 04, 2020 · To sue lawyer for negligence, you need to be able to prove the attorney didn't use the proper care in your case and missed a deadline, filed the wrong papers, didn't comply with court orders, or made other errors that were not intentional but were sloppy. Negligence happens when the attorney makes mistakes that other attorneys normally would not.

What can I do if my sibling is stealing from my estate?

How do you resolve family conflict over inheritance?

Strategies parents can implement include expressing their wishes in a will, setting up a trust, using a non-sibling as executor or trustee, and giving gifts during their lifetime. After a parent dies, siblings can use a mediator, split the proceeds after liquidating assets, and defer to an independent fiduciary.

How do siblings steal their inheritance?

The standard process in the Surrogate's Court is to compel your brother to provide a formal accounting. Once your brother provides the accounting, the beneficiary has a chance to object to the accounting. If the court finds that your brother stole from the estate, the court will surcharge your brother.

What happens when a trustee steals from a beneficiary?

Under California law, the embezzlement of trust funds or property valued at $950 or less is a misdemeanor offense, which is punishable by up to 6 months in county jail. ... Typically, when a beneficiary alleges that a trustee is stealing from a trust, the matter is dealt with in the probate court.

Do beneficiaries have rights?

A beneficiary is entitled to be told if they are named in a person's will. They are also entitled to be told what, if any, property/possessions have been left to them, and the full amount of inheritance they will receive. ... The person who will be administering the estate is known as the executor.Jul 15, 2019

Is inheritance theft a crime?

However, unless those wishes are set out in a validly executed will then any attempt to obtain estate assets may constitute a criminal offence as well as a claim for breach of fiduciary duty. ...Jul 3, 2013

How do you deal with greedy siblings?

9 Tips for Dealing with Greedy Family Members After a DeathBe Honest. ... Look for Creative Compromises. ... Take Breaks from Each Other. ... Understand That You Can't Change Anyone. ... Remain Calm in Every Situation. ... Use “I” Statements and Avoid Blame. ... Be Gentle and Empathetic. ... Lay Ground Rules for Working Things Out.More items...•Jan 11, 2021

Can I sue my brother for stealing my inheritance?

Generally, the theft of estate assets by a sibling is treated as a civil matter. ... As a victim, you do have the option to make a criminal complaint and ask the district attorney to prosecute your sibling, either when you suspect theft, or have proven they stole your assets or inheritance from the estate.

Can a trustee withdraw money?

The successor trustee is generally permitted to withdraw money from a trust account for the following reasons: To make distributions to trust beneficiaries in accordance with the terms of the trust (the trust may provide for trust fund distributions to be made all at once or over time)Jul 20, 2021

Can a trustee take all the money?

The trustee of an irrevocable trust can only withdraw money to use for the benefit of the trust according to terms set by the grantor, like disbursing income to beneficiaries or paying maintenance costs, and never for personal use.

How does a beneficiary get money from a trust?

There are three main ways for a beneficiary to receive an inheritance from a trust: Outright distributions. Staggered distributions. Discretionary distributions.

Does an executor have to inform beneficiaries?

One of the foremost fiduciary duties required of an Executor is to put the estate's beneficiaries' interests first. This means you must notify them that they are a beneficiary. As Executor, you should notify beneficiaries of the estate within three months after the Will has been filed in Probate Court.Sep 3, 2019

Can an executor sell property of the estate without all beneficiaries approving?

Yes. An executor can sell a property without the approval of all beneficiaries. The will doesn't have specific provisions that require beneficiaries to approve how the assets will be administered. However, they should consult with beneficiaries about how to share the estate.Sep 30, 2020

Can an executor override a beneficiary?

Yes, an executor can override a beneficiary's wishes as long as they are following the will or, alternative, any court orders. Executors have a fiduciary duty to the estate beneficiaries requiring them to distribute estate assets as stated in the will.

How do I sue for stolen inheritance?

You can try to recover stolen inheritance by requesting the alleged thief to restore or return it back to the estate, and if that does not work, file a lawsuit against them. You can always start by asking the person to return the money or property. It may or may not work, but it's free and doesn't cost you anything.

Are executors personally liable?

You're responsible for clearing the estate's debts If a creditor comes forward after the estate has been settled and assets have been distributed, again, the executor will be personally liable.Apr 14, 2020

Can an executor refuses to pay beneficiary?

Can they do this? If an executor/administrator is refusing to pay you your inheritance, you may have grounds to have them removed or replaced. ... If this is the case, any Court application to have them removed/replaced is very unlikely to succeed and you may then be ordered to pay all the legal costs.May 18, 2020

William Brent Shellhorse

Based on what you are describing, it sounds like you probably want a probate attorney. There are a lot of good probate attorneys in Tarrant County that can help you with this.

Charlotte D. Key

As suggested you need a probate attorney that has experienced with probate litigation. You will need to provide the attorney with additional facts, such as date of death, if there was a will, if any probate proceedings have been initiated in probate court, etc.

Bruce Ward Bain

You need a probate lawyer.. Also, get concrete documented proof form the one cooperating now before you sue them.

Brent Michael McMullen

This sounds like a probate issue, any time there is a death in the family and property being disputed a probate attorney would be the best to consult with.

What to do before asking the court to decide an estate dispute?

Before you make the decision to ask the court to decide an estate dispute (and tell your family that you’re going to sue them), explore the options for other potential resolutions. This approach requires talking with an experienced estate litigation attorney.

How does litigation affect a family?

Litigation can tear a family apart, inflicting damage that lasts forever. When family members disagree — and that disagreement escalates into litigation — it emotionally affects the parties involved in the case. Those emotions usually escalate over time as the legal process takes its natural course.

What does a lawyer do in a court case?

Your lawyer will counsel you on the possibilities and address your expectations in the beginning. You need to be realistic about the potential resolution of your case. On a positive note, a court action does resolve a dispute in the end, one way or another.

What is legal counsel?

Legal counsel representing both sides of the case charge fees. But there is more than just attorney’s fees to consider. A court action involves court costs, as well as expenses relating to gathering evidence, such as taking witness depositions and using expert witnesses (which is necessary in some cases).

What happens when a loved one dies?

When a loved one dies, individual family members may be surprised and disappointed at how the deceased individual decided to distribute his or her estate. However, disappointment — or even shock — is not enough to establish a basis for a court action.

Why challenge an estate?

There are a number of legitimate reasons for challenging an estate, including: Problems with the validity of a will or trust based on legal requirements for execution; Issues of undue influence over the deceased person; Questions relating to the deceased individual’s legal capacity; or. Concerns about fraud or forgery.

Can family members take sides?

Other family members take sides, either outright or subtly by curtailing communication with one of the parties. In many cases, the disagreement envelopes the entire family. If you consider pursuing litigation against family members, you need to prepare yourself for the fallout in your family.

How to win a lawsuit against an attorney for malpractice?

To win when you sue an attorney for malpractice, you need to show that: The attorney was supposed to do something. He or she didn't do it (or did it wrong) This resulted in a financial loss to you (losing the case or losing money)

What happens if an attorney violates the law?

If the attorney violated proper ethics, you can file a grievance with the ethics committee of the state bar association, which ensures all attorneys are in good standing to renew their licenses. The attorney could be disbarred or directed to pay you compensation.

What are the types of malpractice?

Types of Attorney Malpractice 1 Negligence. To sue lawyer for negligence, you need to be able to prove the attorney didn't use the proper care in your case and missed a deadline, filed the wrong papers, didn't comply with court orders, or made other errors that were not intentional but were sloppy. Negligence happens when the attorney makes mistakes that other attorneys normally would not. 2 Breach of duty. This kind of malpractice happens when the lawyer violates his or her responsibilities to you by settling the case without your approval, not preparing the case for trial, lying to you, abandoning your case, misusing funds you provided for court costs, or misusing funds owed to you (such as a settlement amount). The attorney has not done what other attorneys would do in this type of case. 3 Breach of contract. This occurs when an attorney fails to do something he or she agreed to in your contract, such as filing your deed or patent. If the lawyer promised to do something he or she was contractually obligated to do and didn't do it, you have grounds for breach of contract.

What to do when you hire an attorney?

When you hire an attorney, you do so with trust and confidence. Most attorneys are upstanding and do a good job for their clients. Unfortunately, there are also some bad eggs out there. If your attorney has done something wrong, you may want to consider suing a lawyer for malpractice.

What is a breach of contract?

Breach of contract. This occurs when an attorney fails to do something he or she agreed to in your contract, such as filing your deed or patent. If the lawyer promised to do something he or she was contractually obligated to do and didn't do it, you have grounds for breach of contract.

Can an attorney be disbarred?

The attorney could be disbarred or directed to pay you compensation. If you are disputing a fee with your lawyer, the state also likely has a fee dispute committee that can help you obtain an out-of-court resolution. You can hire another attorney to complete or fix your case and obtain the outcome you need.

Can you sue a lawyer for negligence?

To sue lawyer for negligence, you need to be able to prove the attorney didn't use the proper care in your case and missed a deadline, filed the wrong papers, didn't comply with court orders, or made other errors that were not intentional but were sloppy.