Law Offices of Keith Codron
Keith Codron is an Orange County attorney with more than 40 years of experience in the field of trusts and estates. He has been certified as a specialist in estate planning, trust and probate law by the Board of Legal Specialization of the State Bar of California. Mr. Codron's practice is focused on asset and lifestyle protection, advanced estate planning and litigating disputes involving trusts and estates.
Certified Specialist
Of the many thousands of licensed attorneys in Orange County, California, fewer than 100 have earned the designation, “Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law,” by the California State Bar. Whether your situation is simple or complex, consider hiring an attorney who is a certified specialist – an attorney who is committed to maintaining proficiency through focused practice and continuing education.
Informational Videos
Asset Protection in Estate Planning
Estate plans are designed to protect your hard earned assets. Often times they can be set up to distribute the assets to beneficiaries at different times. By scheduling these...
Incentive Based Trusts – A Road Map to Success
You may have heard stories of the so called “trust fund babies” who spend their parents wealth on lavish vacations, luxury lifestyles, mansions, exotic cars and unyielding shopping sprees....
Trust & Estate Litigation
A properly drafted will should clearly identify all beneficiaries and leave no ambiguity surrounding the intentions of the Testator. Unfortunately, estate planning documents, whether wills or trusts, do not always reflect the intentions of the testator. We have many years of experience in litigating disputes involving wills, trusts, powers of attorney and other estate planning documents, and have successfully represented trustees, executors, beneficiaries and principals in such matters, specifically including the following: compelling a trustee to report information and account to beneficiaries; determining the validity of certain trust provisions and determining to whom property shall pass; modifying or terminating a trust; instructing the trustee; determining whether a breach of fiduciary duty has occurred; and elder abuse matters
Estate Litigation
When someone with standing objects to a will or a trust, the estate might have to be litigated. This is sometimes referred to as a “will contest.” These disputes can be complex and should be navigated by attorneys with expertise in such matters, including an intimate knowledge of probate court rules and procedures.
Probate Courts
Typically, if a will is involved, a probate court will determine whether or not it is valid and should be executed. If the will is found to be valid, the court will oversee the allocation of assets and will ensure that the named executor carries out the wishes of the decedent in a lawful and timely manner. The court also oversees the distribution of assets if the testator, or deceased person, died intestate, without a valid will.
Probate / Estate Administration
When a loved one passes away, his or her estate often goes through a court-managed process called probate or estate administration where the assets of the deceased are managed and distributed. If your loved-one owned his or her assets through a well drafted and properly funded living trust, it is likely that no court-managed administration is necessary, though the successor trustee needs to administer the distribution of the deceased. The length of time needed to complete the probate of an estate depends on the size and complexity of the estate and the local rules and schedule of the probate court.
Asset Protection
More and more people are using the legal system to deprive others of their life's work. Over 19 million new lawsuits are filed in the United States every year, many of which are frivolous or settled for sums greater than the actual liability.
Business owners, professionals such as doctors, dentists, lawyers and accountants, and property owners in particular should be aware of the risk associated with conducting their business, practicing in their respective fields, and taking responsibility for others.
Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning
While nobody wants to think about death or disability, establishing an estate plan is one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones. Proper estate planning not only puts you in charge of your finances, it can also spare your loved ones of the expense, delay and frustration associated with managing your affairs when you pass away or become disabled.
