CRAWFORD, WISHNEW & LANG represents clients seeking to protect or enforce their rights and interests in trusts and estates litigation. Our attorneys are well versed in the procedures, law and uniquely-personal considerations related to probate, trust and estate disputes, which often involve claims for breach of fiduciary duty, self-dealing, as well as will and trust contests and claims related to estate administration and distribution. We employ assertive yet thoughtful strategies aimed at securing the best result for our clients, while being mindful of our clients’ personal goals and priorities, including the common desire for discrete and private resolutions in matters involving family relationships. Some of our prior representations have included:   

​

• Representing the beneficiaries of three family trusts in a suit against the trustee for breach of fiduciary duty. Obtained a $3 million judgment against the trustee, who was also indicted for felony misapplication of fiduciary property.

 

• Representing a trust beneficiary in a case where the defendant was the other beneficiary and acted as trustee. The defendant was abusing his position of control as trustee to the detriment of our client and disproportionately using the trust assets for his own personal benefit. Confidentially settled the dispute before filing a lawsuit that resulted in removing the defendant as trustee of the joint trusts, partitioning the trusts, transferring trust assets to a corporate trustee, and reallocating millions of dollars of trust funds to compensate our client for the defendant’s bad acts.

 

• Representing two brothers who, after inheriting restaurant assets, spent the next 25 years building those assets into a highly-successful restaurant chain. Their sister, who took her inheritance in cash and spent it, brought a challenge seeking a share of the business her brothers built. We prevailed in protecting our clients’ assets.

 

• Representing an elderly woman bringing claims against her broker for breach of fiduciary duty (including allegations of account churning). Obtained a significant settlement without filing suit.