Litigation

Trust Litigation Attorney in Sonoma

Representing Trustees & Beneficiaries in Trust Disputes Throughout Sonoma County

Trust disputes don’t follow a predictable path. A trustee may be mismanaging assets, a beneficiary may be cut off without explanation, or a family may be questioning whether a trust was signed under undue influence. When those situations can’t be resolved through conversation, litigation becomes necessary. At Gullotta Law Group, we represent both trustees and beneficiaries in trust disputes, bringing Attorney Eric S. Gullotta’s background in trust drafting and administration directly to bear on contested matters.

We’ve served Sonoma-area clients since 2009. Attorney Gullotta is a Sonoma County native, and our firm has been voted Best Attorneys in the Sonoma Valley People’s Choice Awards for 10 consecutive years. Complimentary consultations are available in person or virtually.

If a trust dispute is affecting your family or your administration of a trust, contact us today at (707) 379-7590 to schedule your complimentary consultation.

Trust Disputes We Handle

Trust litigation covers a range of contested matters, from challenges to a trust document’s validity to disputes over how a trustee is managing the estate. Our attorneys are versed in California trustee fiduciary duty standards and can pursue or defend claims across a broad set of dispute types.

Trustee misconduct and removal: When a trustee fails to fulfill their legal duties, beneficiaries can petition the court to compel an accounting, recover damages, or seek to have the trustee removed and replaced.
Trust contests: A trust contest challenges the validity of the document itself, most commonly on grounds of undue influence, fraud, or lack of testamentary capacity at the time of signing.
Misappropriation of trust assets: Trustees who divert trust property for personal benefit or make unauthorized distributions may be held liable under California law.
Accounting and distribution disputes: Beneficiaries are entitled to periodic accountings. When a trustee withholds that information or disputes arise over how assets are distributed, litigation may be required.
Co-trustee disagreements: When multiple trustees can’t agree on administration decisions, court intervention can resolve the impasse and protect the trust’s beneficiaries.

Why Sonoma Clients Choose Gullotta Law Group

Many trust litigation matters are approached purely as courtroom matters. Our background in trust creation and estate planning means we read a disputed trust the way the drafter would: understanding the intent behind each provision, where ambiguities were introduced, and how administration should have proceeded under California law. That context shapes how we build and defend claims.

When a dispute involves financial mismanagement or questions about asset valuation, our team’s certified public accountant, who holds a master’s degree in taxation, can address those dimensions directly. Our approach is collaborative throughout. We keep clients informed and involved at every decision point, and our fixed-fee structure means there are no surprises about legal costs. Call us at (707) 379-7590 to discuss your situation at no charge.

How California Trust Litigation Works

In California, most trust disputes are filed as petitions in the Probate Court of the Superior Court in the county where the trust is administered. The California Probate Code governs trustee duties, beneficiary rights, and the grounds on which a trust can be contested, including undue influence, fraud, and lack of testamentary capacity at the time of signing.

Two categories of dispute are worth distinguishing. A trust contest challenges the validity of the trust document itself. A trustee dispute challenges the conduct of the person managing the trust. These can overlap, but they follow different procedural paths and raise different legal questions.

Once a petition is filed, proceedings may include written accountings, document discovery, court hearings, and, in many cases, mediation or negotiated settlement before a full trial is required. California imposes statutes of limitations on trust contests and certain breach-of-duty claims, so when you seek legal counsel matters. Early advice can help preserve your options and clarify which resolution path fits the circumstances.

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Get in Touch with Our Experienced Team

Have questions or need assistance with probate matters? Contact us today for a personalized consultation and expert guidance.

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Who Needs a Trust Litigation Attorney

Trust disputes surface in a variety of circumstances, and the people involved rarely anticipate the conflict ahead of time. The most common situations we see involve one of three groups: beneficiaries who suspect something has gone wrong, trustees facing claims or threats of litigation, and heirs who believe they were wrongfully excluded from a trust.

Beneficiaries with Concerns About a Trustee’s Conduct
Under California law, beneficiaries are entitled to a copy of the trust document, information about trust assets, and periodic accountings from the trustee. When that information is withheld, or when distributions don’t align with the trust’s terms, legal action may be the only way to compel transparency and accountability.

Trustees Defending Their Administration
Trustees who receive a claim or a threat of litigation should seek legal counsel promptly. Even a trustee acting in good faith can face allegations of breach of fiduciary duty, and understanding the scope of your duties and your legal exposure early can make a significant difference in how those claims are managed.

Heirs Questioning a Trust’s Validity
Trust disputes often arise during administration following the grantor’s death, when family members review the trust terms for the first time and questions emerge about whether the document reflects the grantor’s true wishes. Heirs who believe undue influence, fraud, or improper trustee conduct affected the outcome have legal avenues to pursue those challenges. We represent clients on both sides of these disputes.

Trustee Fiduciary Duties & Beneficiary Rights Under California Law

A trustee’s legal obligations aren’t discretionary. Under the California Probate Code, a trustee owes fiduciary duties to all beneficiaries: duties of loyalty, prudent management, impartiality, and full disclosure. Those duties require the trustee to administer the trust according to its terms and California law, not according to personal preference or the interests of one beneficiary over others.

Breaches of fiduciary duty take many forms: self-dealing, failing to invest trust property prudently, withholding accountings, making unauthorized distributions, or outright misappropriation of trust property. When a trustee crosses those lines, the consequences under California law can include removal, surcharge (a court-ordered payment to compensate the trust for losses), or both.

Beneficiaries have several enforcement tools available through the Probate Court. They can petition to compel an accounting, seek the trustee’s removal, or recover damages for losses caused by a breach. At the same time, a trustee isn’t automatically liable for every loss the trust sustains. Courts assess whether the trustee acted in good faith and in accordance with the prudent investor standard under California law. Our attorneys understand how courts weigh those questions and represent clients on both sides, whether you’re a beneficiary seeking to enforce your rights or a trustee defending your decisions.

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Stories That Speak

Trusted by Our Community, Proven Through Results

Eric and Ashley provided invaluable advice to protect my new home and plan for the future. Highly recommend the Gullotta Law Group for trust and estate planning!

- Kate M.
Eric and Ashley made our estate planning process easy, providing knowledge, comfort, and humor. They answered all our questions and put us at ease!

- Lisa G.
Eric has made estate planning easy and comfortable for our family, providing invaluable advice on complex situations. The best decision we ever made!

- Barbara H.

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Rooted in Community, Driven by Integrity

Our Commitment to You

Committed to Giving Back
As active and involved members of the Sonoma community, we are dedicated to making a positive impact, both professionally and personally, for the people we serve.
Always Available for Clients
We believe in making ourselves accessible to clients when they need us most. We are committed to providing responsive support throughout the entire probate process.
Deep Roots in the Community
Born and raised in Sonoma, we are deeply familiar with the local community and its values, allowing us to provide a personalized, compassionate approach to every case.
Expertise in Complex Cases
We have the knowledge and experience to handle even the most complex probate and estate matters, providing expert solutions tailored to your unique situation.

Trust Litigation in Sonoma County Superior Court

Trust disputes filed in Sonoma County are handled by the Probate Division of the Superior Court of California, County of Sonoma. The Probate Division maintains a dedicated department for trust, estate, and conservatorship filings, and hearings for trust matters are generally conducted in Courtroom 23. Familiarity with local court procedures, filing timelines, and the probate department’s expectations can affect how efficiently a dispute moves through the system.

Gullotta Law Group has operated in Sonoma since 2009, serving clients throughout Sonoma County. Attorney Gullotta’s roots in this community inform both our approach to representation and our understanding of how the local court handles these matters.

Schedule a Complimentary Consultation

Trust disputes are time-sensitive. California imposes deadlines on trust contests and trustee breach claims that can foreclose your options if too much time passes. Whether you’re a beneficiary with concerns about a trustee’s conduct, a trustee facing a claim, or a family member questioning a trust’s validity, now is a good time to speak with an attorney.

We offer complimentary consultations by phone or through our online contact form, with both in-person and virtual meetings available. Call Gullotta Law Group at (707) 379-7590 to discuss your trust dispute and learn what your options are.

What Working with Gullotta Law Group Looks Like

The first step is a complimentary consultation where we evaluate your situation, explain the relevant California law, and outline what a realistic path forward can look like: no obligation, no cost.

From there, our approach is collaborative. We keep clients informed at each stage and involve them in key decisions rather than managing matters at arm’s length. Trust disputes can sometimes be resolved through negotiation, mediation, or court-supervised settlement before a full hearing is required. We assess early whether those paths are viable and advise accordingly, including any interim steps to preserve assets or address urgent concerns about trustee conduct while the matter is evaluated.

Because our firm handles both trust drafting and trust disputes, we approach contested matters with a grounded understanding of how trusts are constructed and what California law requires of the people administering them. That background shapes how we evaluate a dispute, build a case, and communicate with the court. Fee structure and fixed-fee options are discussed during the consultation so clients understand costs before committing to trust administration.

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