San Mateo, CA estates & probate lawyer Jeffrey Loew talks about a memorable case in which he prevailed for his client during a will contest. He shares that Trust Law Partners LLP represented a client who had been the longtime partner of an elderly woman for nearly 20 years. The woman had no children or natural heirs, and in earlier versions of her trust, she had left her entire estate to charitable organizations. However, about a year before her death, she executed a written will expressing her intent to amend her trust and leave her estate to her longtime partner, who had cared for her throughout much of their relationship.

Following her passing, the former beneficiaries contested the will. The firm mounted an aggressive defense on behalf of the client and successfully secured virtually the entire estate for him. While approximately 10% was allocated to the contesting beneficiaries, the outcome allowed the client to retain the vast majority of the estate—a result that honored the decedent’s final wishes.