Trusts and Estates
Wills and Trusts
Planning for your family’s future is not something you want to handle alone, and it’s not something you want to get wrong. At Ohana Law Firm, our trusts and estates practice helps individuals and families in our community protect what they’ve worked hard to build. Whether you need a simple will, a comprehensive trust, or help settling a loved one’s estate, our attorneys walk you through the process in plain language, without the legal jargon that makes people put this off for years.
We know that thinking about trusts and estates often means thinking about mortality, family conflict, or aging parents. These are hard conversations. Our job is to make the legal side of that conversation as simple and clear as possible, so you can focus on the people you love. If you’re ready to talk to a trusts and estates attorney about your situation, contact our office today to schedule a free consultation.
Why Choose Our Trusts and Estates Attorneys
Not every law firm treats estate planning the same way. Some rush clients through generic templates. Others charge by the hour for every phone call and question. We do things differently.
Our trusts and estates lawyers take the time to understand your family, your assets, and your goals before recommending a plan. A trust that works well for one family might be the wrong fit for another, and we don’t believe in one size fits all documents for something this important.
Here’s what sets our firm apart:
- Direct access to your attorney. You won’t be passed between paralegals every time you have a question.
- Clear, upfront pricing. We explain our fees before we start any work, so there are no surprises.
- Local knowledge. We understand the probate courts and estate administration rules in this state, and we know how local judges tend to handle these matters.
- A full range of services. From basic wills to complex trust administration, we handle it under one roof.
- A track record our clients trust. Many of our new clients come to us because a friend or family member referred them after we helped settle an estate or resolve a trust dispute.
If you want a law firm that will actually explain your options instead of handing you a stack of paperwork, speak with an attorney today.
Cases We Handle Under Trusts and Estates
Common Reasons Families Seek Our Services
People come to us at very different stages of life, and for very different reasons. Some of the most common include:
- Wanting to create a will or trust for the first time
- Needing to update an outdated estate plan after a marriage, divorce, or birth of a child
- Serving as executor or trustee and needing legal guidance
- Facing the probate process after a parent or spouse passed away
- Trying to reduce estate taxes or avoid probate for their heirs
- Planning for a family member with special needs
- Business owners who need succession planning built into their estate plan
Whatever brought you here, our estate planning attorneys can help you figure out the right next step.
Disputes and Problems We Help Resolve
When an estate plan is missing, outdated, or poorly drafted, problems tend to follow. We regularly assist clients with:
- Contested wills or claims that a will was signed under undue influence
- Disagreements among siblings or heirs over asset distribution
- Trustees who are not communicating with beneficiaries or acting in their own interest
- Estates that are stuck in probate longer than expected
- Beneficiaries who believe they were unfairly excluded or shortchanged
- Confusion over outdated beneficiary designations that conflict with a will
If any of this sounds familiar, you don’t have to sort it out on your own. A conversation with our office can usually clarify your options within the first meeting.
Fiduciary Duty and Trustee Responsibility
Executors and trustees are held to a high legal standard. They must act in the best interest of the beneficiaries, keep accurate records, and follow the terms of the trust or will exactly as written. When a trustee fails in these duties, whether through mismanagement, self-dealing, or simple neglect, beneficiaries have the right to hold them accountable.
We represent both sides of these situations. We advise trustees on how to meet their obligations correctly, and we represent beneficiaries when they suspect a trustee has breached their duty. Getting this right matters, because a mishandled trust can drain assets that were meant to support your family for years.
Financial and Legal Outcomes You Can Pursue
Depending on your situation, our trusts and estates lawyers can help you pursue several outcomes, including:
- Proper distribution of assets according to the will or trust
- Removal of a trustee or executor who is not fulfilling their duties
- Recovery of mismanaged or misappropriated trust funds
- Correction of estate administration errors
- Resolution of disputes without the cost of a prolonged court battle
- Formal accounting from a trustee who has been unresponsive
Every case is different, and the right outcome depends heavily on the facts. During your consultation, we’ll walk through what’s realistic for your specific circumstances.
Understanding Your Legal Rights
If you’re a beneficiary, you have the right to information. Trustees and executors are legally required to keep you reasonably informed about the estate or trust, including providing an accounting when requested. You also have the right to challenge a will or trust if you have a genuine basis to believe it was executed improperly, whether that’s due to lack of capacity, undue influence, or fraud.
If you’re an executor or trustee, you have rights too. You’re entitled to reasonable compensation for your work, and you’re protected from personal liability as long as you act in good faith and follow the terms of the governing document. Many people accept these roles without understanding the responsibility involved, and that’s exactly where legal guidance becomes valuable.
If you’re planning your own estate, you have the right to structure your affairs the way you see fit, within the bounds of the law. That includes choosing who inherits your assets, naming guardians for minor children, and deciding how and when your beneficiaries receive their inheritance. Understanding these rights before a dispute arises, or before you sign anything, puts you in a much stronger position. Request a case evaluation if you’re unsure where you stand.
Our Legal Process
We keep our process simple and transparent, so you always know what to expect.
Step 1: Free Consultation. We start by listening. You’ll walk us through your situation, whether that’s planning ahead or dealing with an active dispute, and we’ll ask the questions needed to understand the full picture.
Step 2: Case or Plan Assessment. For estate planning clients, we review your assets, family structure, and goals to recommend the right combination of documents. For administration or dispute clients, we review the existing will, trust, or estate records to identify the issues and options.
Step 3: Strategy and Documentation. We draft or review the necessary documents, whether that’s a will, trust, power of attorney, or a formal legal filing related to a dispute or probate matter.
Step 4: Review and Signing. Nothing goes final until you understand it. We walk through every document with you before anything is signed or filed.
Step 5: Ongoing Support. Estate plans need updates as life changes. Trust and probate matters often require follow up filings or hearings. We stay with you through the full process, not just the first meeting.
Why Clients Trust Our Firm
Trusts and estates work is personal. You’re trusting us with your family’s future, or with resolving a conflict involving people you love. We take that seriously.
Clients choose our firm because we explain things clearly, respond when they call, and don’t try to sell them services they don’t need. Many of our clients first came to us for a straightforward will and returned years later when they needed help settling a parent’s estate. That kind of long term relationship is not an accident. It’s the result of consistent, honest legal work.
We’re also part of this community. When you sit down with our attorneys, you’re talking to people who understand the local probate courts, work regularly with local financial institutions, and know how to get things done efficiently in this area.
Contact Our Trusts and Estates Attorneys Today
Whether you’re planning ahead or handling a dispute involving a loved one’s estate, you don’t need to figure this out alone. Our trusts and estates attorneys are ready to answer your questions, explain your options, and help you move forward with confidence.
Contact our legal team today to schedule a free consultation. We’ll listen to your situation, answer your questions honestly, and help you decide on the right next step for your family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need trust, or is a will enough?
It depends on your goals. A will alone typically requires your estate to go through probate, which can take months and involves court fees. A properly funded trust can allow your assets to pass to your heirs without probate, and it offers more control over how and when beneficiaries receive their inheritance. During a consultation, we can tell you which approach fits your situation.
How long does probate usually take?
In most cases, probate takes anywhere from six months to over a year, depending on the size of the estate, whether there are disputes, and how organized the deceased person’s records were. Estates with significant debts, unclear titles, or family disagreements tend to take longer.
What happens if a family member contests the will?
The will typically remain in effect while the contest is being resolved. The person challenging it must prove a legal basis, such as lack of capacity, undue influence, or improper execution. These cases can be resolved through negotiation or, if necessary, through a court hearing. We can represent you whether you’re defending a will or challenging one.
Can I remove a trustee who isn’t doing their job?
Yes, in many cases. Beneficiaries can petition the court to remove a trustee who has breached their fiduciary duty, mismanaged assets, or failed to communicate as required. We can review the trustee’s conduct and advise you on whether removal is realistic in your case.
How much does estate planning cost?
Costs vary depending on whether you need a simple will or a more comprehensive trust based plan. We provide clear pricing during your consultation, before any work begins, so you know exactly what to expect.
What’s the difference between an executor and a trustee?
An executor manages a deceased person’s estate through the probate process, following the instructions in their will. A trustee manages assets held in a trust, both during the person’s lifetime and after their death, according to the terms of the trust document. Some people serve as both, depending on how an estate plan is structured.
Do I need a local trusts and estates attorney, or can any lawyer handle this?
Estate and probate law varies by state, and probate courts often have local procedures and preferences. Working with a trusts and estates attorney who regularly practices in your local courts tends to produce faster, smoother results.
What should I bring to my first consultation?
If you’re planning your estate, bring a general list of your assets, family information, and any existing estate documents. If you’re dealing with probate or a dispute, bring any will, trust, or account records you already have access to. Don’t worry if your documentation isn’t complete. We can help you identify what’s missing.