Trust and Estate Litigation

Our People and Our Clients

Black Helterline’s Trust and Estate Litigation Practice Group specializes in the growing and sometimes complex field of probate, trust, and estate dispute resolution. We represent trustees, guardians, conservators, personal representatives, beneficiaries, heirs, and other interested parties in a wide variety of disputes regarding trust administration, guardianships and conservatorships, trust and will contests, claims against probate estates, and tort and contract claims against other estate planners who violate their professional obligations to their estate planning clients. Whether the controversies in question are brought by the Internal Revenue Service, the Oregon Department of Revenue, family members or others, our attorneys are experienced in representing our clients’ interests before the applicable forums.

Knowledge Base

The attorneys in Black Helterline’s Trust and Estate Litigation Practice Group work closely with others within the firm whose practices focus on estate planning and wealth management. Together, the depth of knowledge of the estate planning and dispute resolution processes helps our attorneys in presenting, and effectively prosecuting and defending against, all manner of trust and estate controversies.

The laws governing estates, wills, and trusts and the state and federal estate tax laws are complex and constantly changing. By working closely with the Wealth Management and Estate Planning Practice Group, our litigators are able to keep abreast of the changing landscape, and to constantly analyze the impacts of these changes on our clients’ interests.

Services Offered

Black Helterline’s Trust and Estate Litigation Practice Group offers a wide range of services, including:

  • Fiduciary representation, including probate and trust administration services
  • Representation in tort and contract litigation, such as malpractice and intentional interference with prospective inheritance, against other professionals in appropriate situations
  • Representation in estate and trust dispute resolution, including mediation, addressing will contests, trust litigation, guardianship conflicts, and probate claims
  • Representation before state and federal taxing authorities in situations arising out of tax return audits