Our firm has successfully handled complex estate, probate, and guardianship matters, ensuring justice and financial recovery for our clients. We have recovered stolen assets in contested guardianship cases, secured rightful inheritances by overturning outdated beneficiary designations, and navigated multi-state probate challenges involving extensive properties and businesses. Our team has also resolved intricate title disputes, allowing for smooth real estate transactions, and efficiently administered interconnected estates, ensuring proper distribution to heirs and charities. No matter the complexity, we deliver strategic solutions with impactful results.

Guardianship and Return of Stolen Assets

Recovered stolen funds and secured guardianship for a vulnerable sibling.

A client came to us suspecting that her sibling was being financially taken advantage of and needed guardianship. Through a contested guardianship proceeding, we were able to discover that hundreds of thousands of dollars were stolen from our client’s sibling under the guise of a Power of Attorney. Not only were we able to recover all of the funds, but we were able to secure the appointment of our client as the Guardian of the person and property for her sibling.

Non-Probate Assets Left to Ex-Spouse

Reclaimed non-probate assets mistakenly left to an ex-spouse.

A client engaged our services after one of his family members passed away intestate. During the course of the estate administration, we uncovered that there were non-probate assets that were left to the decedent’s ex-spouse. Since the decedent had not reaffirmed the beneficiary designations after the couple got divorced, we petitioned the Court for the return of the assets from the ex-spouse. We were able to reach a settlement with the ex-spouse wherein a significant amount of the non-probate assets was returned to the Estate, avoiding a long and expensive trial.

Estate Spanning Three States

Resolved a multi-state estate involving properties, a business, and a defective will.

Co-Executors retained our firm to probate the Estate after having been dissatisfied with their prior attorney. The Estate was quite complex, as it spanned three states, contained approximately twenty properties, and included a business. In addition, we detected that the Will was defective, as it left out one-third of the residual estate. Our firm was able to successfully assist in the ancillary probates in the other states, sell and/or transfer the various properties, wind down the business, and collect the additional assets, as well as petition the Court to rectify the Will.

Correcting Title to Real Property

Cleared a lost trust issue to facilitate a real estate sale.

A Power of Attorney for the owner of real property retained our firm to sell the owner’s home. During the real estate transaction, we discovered that the property was owned by a trust that the owner and his deceased spouse transferred it into decades ago unbeknownst to the Power of Attorney. As the trust could not be found and the owner no longer had capacity, we assisted the Power of Attorney in petitioning the Court to quiet title and obtain permission to sell the property. The Court ruled in our favor, and we were able to sell the property.

Three Estates, One Complex Administration

Seamlessly managed interconnected estates to ensure proper distribution.

We were retained to administer an Estate for a decedent who passed intestate, leaving their two siblings as the heirs. Shortly thereafter, one of the heirs passed away also intestate leaving her Estate to the final surviving sibling. The final surviving sibling then passed away with a Last Will and Testament leaving his assets to an individual and various charities. The siblings all passed within one year of each other. The Estates were complex as one flowed into the next. We were able to administer the Estates by collecting each of the decedent’s assets, paying their debts, preparing Inheritance Tax Returns, and distributing the net Estates to the heirs of each Estate.

Protecting Business Interests and Future Income

Structured a settlement dividing business interests via installments to reduce tax risk and ensure liquidity. Included life insurance to secure alimony and protect both parties amid complex income streams.

In this case, the focus was on preserving the value of business interests while establishing a structured payout plan to mitigate financial risk. The agreement divided equity in multiple LLCs, including royalties and merchandise operations, through a series of installment payments, reducing tax liabilities and ensuring ongoing liquidity. Additionally, the settlement mandated life insurance to secure alimony payments, a vital safeguard given the complexity of the income streams involved. This structure provided clarity on income expectations while protecting both parties from future disputes over business-generated income.

Trusted Guidance for Estate Planning & Elder Law

Why Choose Cosner Law?

We understand that planning for the future can feel overwhelming. With decades of experience, we provide compassionate and strategic legal solutions to protect your assets, secure your legacy, and give you peace of mind.

Contact Cosner Law Group

If you need experienced legal counsel and representation in an elder law matter, a divorce, or an estate planning or probate issue, contact us at Cosner Law Group. Our attorneys look forward to providing you with high quality legal services at a reasonable cost.