Trusts & Estates Litigation
Our dedication to understanding and serving financially successful and high net worth families is of particular value for our clients faced with fiduciary litigation, as these controversies may arise from family disputes and involve family partnerships and other family-owned business entities. Jackson Walker Trusts & Estates attorneys regularly work with beneficiaries, executors, and trustees to help them understand their rights and duties in these roles to mitigate risk and avoid disputes. When disputes do arise, we work quickly and assiduously to resolve them before they escalate into costly litigation, by developing resolution or settlement strategies or negotiating early settlements.
Unfortunately, litigation cannot always be avoided. Fiduciary disputes and litigation are particularly complex, requiring the skills of experienced trial attorneys as well as detailed knowledge of probate, trust, guardianship, and tax law. Jackson Walker’s seasoned fiduciary litigators work closely with our Trusts & Estates attorneys to reduce legal, monetary, and reputational risk while controlling costs and keeping the client’s long-term financial and family objectives in mind.
Our fiduciary litigators represent estate representatives, trustees, guardians, and beneficiaries in both contested and uncontested trust and estate matters. We have counseled both plaintiffs and defendants in jury trials, bench trials, injunction proceedings, alternative dispute resolution, and appellate matters across a broad range of estate and trust disputes, many involving sophisticated and complex issues. Our deep and broad expertise in these matters means we manage them efficiently and effectively for our clients.
October 16, 2023
Speaking Engagements
Sarah Patel Pacheco to Discuss Best Practices for Bringing an Expert Witness to Trial at TexasBarCLE’s Fiduciary Litigation Course
Sarah Patel Pacheco will serve as a panelist during the luncheon presentation at the 18th Annual Fiduciary Litigation Course presented by the State Bar of Texas on December 14, 2023. The presentation, “Bringing Your Expert Witness to Trial,” will be moderated by Jason S. Scott (Osborne Helman Scott Knisley & Stanton) and will include Sarah Pacheco, Becky Beaver (Law Office of Becky Beaver), and Hon. Guy Herman (Travis County Probate Court No. 1).
January 10, 2022
Attorney News
Jackson Walker Welcomes Wealth Planning and Fiduciary Litigation Group to Houston
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the arrival of five Houston litigators focused on probate, trust, and fiduciary litigation. The team is led by Sarah Patel Pacheco and includes Kathleen Tanner Beduze, Joshua R. Flores, Joe R. Savoie, and Jocelyn Thibodaux Slater.
August 19, 2021
Attorney News
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 178 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2022 Edition, Including 8 “Lawyers of the Year” and 31 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 178 Jackson Walker attorneys across 6 offices and 67 specialty practice areas in its 2022 edition, including 8 Lawyers of the Year and 31 Ones to Watch. Best Lawyers listings are based on an exhaustive peer review survey of thousands of attorneys who vote on the legal abilities of others in their practice areas.
Examples of the types of cases our probate, trust and fiduciary litigation attorneys have handled include:
- Litigation involving will contests
- Representation of trustees of inter vivos trusts, testamentary trusts, and court-created trusts
- Litigation involving the interpretation, modification and construction of trusts
- Representation of executors, administrators and other fiduciaries against claims of breach of fiduciary duty
- Representation of heirs and beneficiaries seeking assets of trusts and estates
- Litigation involving competing claims to assets of trusts from estates
- Litigation involving the actions of trustees, executors, and agents acting under powers of attorney
