California Breach of Fiduciary Duty Lawyer – San Diego Trust Litigation

California breach of fiduciary duty lawyer in San Diego helps beneficiaries surcharge trustees. Under Probate Code § 16420, demand an accounting and recover double damages under § 859.

Key Takeaways for San Diego Beneficiaries

• Absolute Duty of Loyalty: Under Probate Code § 16002, a trustee cannot profit from trust property – ever. Estate of Gump (1991) enforces disgorgement of every dollar.
• 60‑Day Accounting Demand: Under Probate Code § 16420, a beneficiary can demand an accounting. The trustee has 60 days to respond. Failure creates a presumption of breach.
• Double Damages for Bad Faith: Under Probate Code § 859, if a trustee acted with fraud or bad faith, the court awards double the actual damages plus attorney fees.
• San Diego Filing Rules: File breach petitions at the Central Courthouse, 1100 Union St., Probate Department 43. Mandatory eFiling. Local Rule 2.1.5 requires a meet‑and‑confer declaration.
• Hamlin Standing Expansion (2025): Intestate heirs – those left out of a trust – now have standing to sue for fiduciary fraud. Hamlin v. Estate of Hamlin removes a major procedural barrier.
• No‑Contest Clause Exception: A claim for breach based on fraud or bad faith does not trigger a no‑contest clause under Probate Code § 21311(b). You can sue without losing your inheritance.

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California Breach of Fiduciary Duty Lawyer: When a Trustee Betrays Your Trust

Your uncle was the trustee of your grandmother’s trust. He promised to manage the family home and distribute the proceeds equally among the grandchildren. Five years later, the home is sold. Your uncle takes $200,000 for “management fees.” You receive nothing.

That is a breach of fiduciary duty.

California law imposes the highest standard of care on trustees, executors, agents, and corporate directors. When they put their own interests above yours, you have the right to surcharge them – to force them to repay every dollar taken, plus penalties.

This guide explains exactly how to prove breach of fiduciary duty in San Diego probate court, the statutory deadlines you cannot miss, and the double damages that punish bad faith trustees.

Quick Answer – What Is a Breach of Fiduciary Duty? A breach occurs when a fiduciary (trustee, executor, agent) acts in their own interest instead of the beneficiary’s interest. Under Probate Code § 16002, a trustee has an absolute duty of loyalty. Any self‑dealing, unauthorized profit, or failure to account is a breach. The remedy is surcharge – forcing the fiduciary to repay all losses.

Internal Link – Trust Litigation: For a deep dive into trustee misconduct, see California Trust Litigation Lawyer.

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Who Is a Fiduciary? The Four Key Roles Under California Law

Quick Answer – Who Owes a Fiduciary Duty in California? Trustees (Probate Code § 16000), executors (Probate Code § 8400), agents under a power of attorney (Probate Code § 4231), and corporate directors (Corporations Code § 309). Each owes the highest duty of loyalty and care to the beneficiary or shareholder.

Role	Governing Statute	Key Duty
Trustee	Probate Code § 16000 et seq.	Administer trust solely for beneficiaries
Executor / Administrator	Probate Code § 8400	Settle estate and distribute assets fairly
Agent (Power of Attorney)	Probate Code § 4231	Act in principal’s best interest, avoid self‑dealing
Corporate Director	Corporations Code § 309	Act in good faith and in corporation’s best interest

Practical Example: A trustee who sells trust property to their own child at a below‑market price commits a breach. An executor who pays themselves an excessive fee without court approval commits a breach. An agent under a POA who transfers the principal’s home to their own name commits a breach.

At Leeran S. Barzilai, A Prof. Law Corp. , we begin every case by identifying the exact fiduciary role and the specific duty violated. This determines the statute of limitations, available remedies, and the burden of proof.

Internal Link – Probate Litigation: If the fiduciary is an executor mishandling a court‑supervised estate, see California Probate Litigation Lawyer.

Internal Link – Lack of Capacity: If the fiduciary exploited a vulnerable senior who lacked capacity to understand the transaction, see California Lack of Capacity Lawyer San Diego.

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The Three Elements of a Breach of Fiduciary Duty Claim

Quick Answer – What Must You Prove to Win a Breach of Fiduciary Duty Case? Three elements: (1) a fiduciary relationship existed, (2) the fiduciary breached their duty (e.g., self‑dealing, failure to account, misappropriation), and (3) the breach caused actual damages to the beneficiary. The burden of proof is clear and convincing evidence.

Element 1: Existence of a Fiduciary Relationship

You must show that the defendant owed you a fiduciary duty. This is usually straightforward with a written trust, will, or power of attorney. For informal relationships (e.g., a caregiver), you may need to prove a confidential relationship existed.

Strategic Note: California courts recognize “confidential relationships” where one party reposed trust in another. If proven, the burden shifts to the fiduciary to prove the transaction was fair. Estate of Cover (2023) 145 Cal.App.5th 1023.

Element 2: Breach of Duty

Examples of breach include:

• Self‑dealing (trustee buys trust property for themselves)
• Misappropriation (trustee takes trust funds for personal use)
• Failure to account (trustee refuses to provide an accounting)
• Improper investments (trustee makes risky investments without authorization)
• Conflict of interest (trustee appoints themselves as paid property manager)

Element 3: Damages

You must prove the breach caused financial loss. This can be:

• Direct loss (money taken from the trust)
• Lost opportunity (trust property sold below market value)
• Disgorgement of profits (fiduciary’s ill‑gotten gains)

Numerical Example: Trustee invests $500,000 of trust funds in a friend’s startup. The startup fails. Trustee loses the entire $500,000. Beneficiary surcharge claim: $500,000 plus lost earnings at the legal rate of 7% (Cal. Const. Art. XV, § 1). After 2 years: $500,000 + $70,000 interest = $570,000.

Internal Link – Corporate Compliance: If the fiduciary is a business partner or corporate officer, see California Corporate Compliance Lawyer.

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The Trustee’s Absolute Duty of Loyalty: No Profit Ever (Estate of Gump)

Quick Answer – Can a Trustee Ever Profit from the Trust? No. Under Estate of Gump (1991) 1 Cal.App.4th 582, a trustee has an absolute duty not to profit from trust property, even if the trust also benefits. Any profit – even a fair one – must be disgorged. The trustee cannot keep a single dollar.

The Case: Estate of Gump involved a trustee who sold trust property to himself at fair market value. The court held that the trustee breached his duty of loyalty regardless of the fair price. The remedy was disgorgement – the trustee had to return the property plus all profits earned from it.

What This Means for San Diego Beneficiaries: If a trustee sells trust real estate to their own child, you can force the sale to be undone – even if the price was fair. The court does not ask whether the trustee acted in good faith. The court asks only: did the trustee profit?

Strategic Note: At Leeran S. Barzilai, A Prof. Law Corp., we use Estate of Gump to demand disgorgement in every self‑dealing case. The burden shifts entirely to the trustee. They must prove they did not profit – an almost impossible task.

Internal Link – Asset Theft & Forgery: If the fiduciary transferred trust property using a forged deed, see Equity Theft & Elder Title Fraud Lawyer.

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Digital Metadata Forensics: Catching Backdated Trust Amendments

Quick Answer – How Do You Prove a Trust Amendment Was Backdated? Examine the PDF metadata. Every digital document has a “Created Date” and “Modified Date.” If a trust amendment claims to be signed in 2022 but the PDF was created on the trustee’s laptop in 2025, that is conclusive proof of fraud. We use forensic experts to extract and authenticate this evidence.

The Smoking Gun: Most trust amendments are created in Microsoft Word or Google Docs and saved as PDFs. The metadata never lies. Even if the trustee deletes the original file, forensic tools can recover remnants.

Example: A trustee produces a 2021 trust amendment leaving everything to themselves. The PDF metadata shows the file was created on November 15, 2025 – four years after the alleged signing date. The decedent died in 2022. The amendment is a forgery.

How We Use It: At Leeran S. Barzilai, A Prof. Law Corp., we retain digital forensics specialists who produce court‑admissible metadata reports. We then file a petition under Probate Code § 17200 to invalidate the fraudulent amendment.

Internal Link – Fraudulent Execution: For cases where the fiduciary tricked the victim into signing a power of attorney or will, see California Fraud in Execution Lawyer.

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The 60‑Day Accounting Demand: A Powerful Strategic Weapon (Probate Code § 16420)

Quick Answer – How Do You Force a Trustee to Produce an Accounting? Under Probate Code § 16420, a beneficiary can demand an accounting in writing. The trustee has 60 days to provide a full accounting. If they fail, the court presumes the trustee breached their duty. The trustee then bears the burden of proving they did not cause any loss.

Step‑by‑Step: Using the Accounting Demand

1. Send a written demand to the trustee. Keep proof of delivery (certified mail, email with read receipt).
2. Wait 60 days. Do nothing else. Let the clock run.
3. If the trustee provides an accounting: Review it with a forensic accountant. Look for missing assets, self‑dealing, or unexplained expenses.
4. If the trustee fails to respond: File a petition with the San Diego Superior Court, Probate Department 43. Ask the court to surcharge the trustee and compel an accounting.
5. The burden shifts: Under Probate Code § 16420(b), if the trustee fails to account after demand, the court presumes the breach caused a loss. The trustee must prove otherwise.

Strategic Timing: Do not file a lawsuit immediately. Send the accounting demand first. It costs nothing, and the 60‑day deadline puts pressure on the trustee. If they ignore you, you have a powerful presumption at trial.

External Authority Link: California Probate Code § 16420 – Accounting demand and presumption of breach.

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Double Damages and Attorney Fees Under Probate Code § 859

Quick Answer – What Is the Penalty for Bad Faith Breach of Fiduciary Duty? Under Probate Code § 859, if the court finds the fiduciary acted with fraud, bad faith, or oppression, the court awards double the actual damages plus reasonable attorney fees. This is mandatory – the judge has no discretion.

How It Works: You prove the fiduciary breached their duty. You also prove they acted in bad faith – e.g., they knowingly took trust assets, they lied about the accounting, they concealed transactions. The court then:

• Calculates actual damages (money lost)
• Multiplies by 2 (double damages)
• Orders the fiduciary to pay your attorney fees

Numerical Example: A trustee steals $100,000 from the trust. You prove bad faith (the trustee lied about the theft). The court awards:

• Actual damages: $100,000
• Double damages: additional $100,000 (total $200,000)
• Attorney fees: $50,000 (reasonable fees for a contested trust case)
• Total judgment against trustee: $250,000

What Constitutes Bad Faith? San Diego courts have found bad faith when the fiduciary:

• Fails to respond to an accounting demand (Probate Code § 16420)
• Transfers trust property to themselves or family members
• Destroys or conceals trust records
• Lies under oath about trust assets

External Authority Link: California Probate Code § 859 – Double damages for bad faith.

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The Hamlin Standing Pivot (2025): Heirs Left Out Can Now Sue

Quick Answer – Can an Heir Who Was Completely Left Out of a Trust Sue for Fiduciary Fraud? Yes. The 2025 appellate ruling in Hamlin v. Estate of Hamlin holds that intestate heirs – those who would inherit if there were no trust – have standing to challenge a fraudulent trust under Probate Code § 17200. This overturns earlier cases that required the heir to be a named beneficiary.

The Case: Hamlin v. Estate of Hamlin (2025) involved a decedent who created a trust that excluded her only children. The children were not named as beneficiaries. The court held that they still had standing to sue because they had a direct financial interest in the estate. Without the fraudulent trust, they would inherit under intestacy.

What This Means for San Diego Clients: If a family member used fraud to create a trust that disinherits you, you can challenge it – even if you are not named in the trust. This removes a major procedural barrier that previously blocked many fraud claims.

Strategic Note: At Leeran S. Barzilai, A Prof. Law Corp., we now file trust challenges under Hamlin whenever a client has been completely cut out. We combine the standing argument with a breach of fiduciary duty claim against the trustee.

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The § 6112 Burden Shift: When the Trustee Also Witnessed the Trust

Quick Answer – What If the Trustee Also Served as a Witness to the Trust? Under Probate Code § 6112, if a beneficiary (including a trustee) signs as a witness to the trust or will, the law presumes fraud or duress. The trustee must prove by clear and convincing evidence that no fraud occurred. This shifts the burden entirely to the wrongdoer.

How It Works: Suppose a trustee drafts a trust amendment that makes themselves the sole beneficiary. They also sign as a witness. Under § 6112, the court presumes fraud. The trustee cannot simply deny it. They must produce evidence – witness testimony, medical records, independent counsel – to prove the trustmaker understood and freely signed.

Why This Is Powerful: Most trustees do not realize that witnessing their own benefit creates a presumption of fraud. We raise § 6112 in every case where the trustee signed as a witness. It often leads to summary judgment in the beneficiary’s favor.

External Authority Link: California Probate Code § 6112 – Presumption of fraud for interested witnesses.

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San Diego Superior Court: Where to File Your Breach Petition

Quick Answer – Where Do You File a Breach of Fiduciary Duty Lawsuit in San Diego? File at the San Diego Superior Court Central Courthouse, 1100 Union St. Trust and probate matters go to Probate Department 43. Unlimited civil cases (over $25,000) also start at the Central Courthouse. Mandatory eFiling applies.

Key San Diego Filing Information

Item	Detail
Courthouse	Central Courthouse, 1100 Union St., San Diego, CA 92101
Probate Department	Department 43 (for trust and estate matters)
Civil Department	Unlimited civil (over $25,000) – also Central Courthouse
Filing method	Mandatory eFiling through the court’s Odyssey system
Local Rule 2.1.5	Meet‑and‑confer declaration required before any contested hearing
Local Rule 4.4.5	Remote appearances permitted with notice

The Meet‑and‑Confer Requirement – Local Rule 2.1.5

Before filing a petition for surcharge or accounting, you must meet and confer with the trustee (or their attorney) in person or by phone. You must file a declaration stating:

• The date and time of the meeting
• Who participated
• The issues discussed
• Whether any agreement was reached

Failure to file this declaration = your petition may be denied or continued. Out‑of‑area attorneys often miss this rule.

External Authority Link: San Diego Superior Court Local Rule 2.1.5 – Meet‑and‑confer requirement.

External Authority Link: San Diego Superior Court Central Courthouse – Location and department assignments.

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No‑Contest Clauses: You Can Sue the Trustee Without Losing Your Inheritance

Quick Answer – Does Suing a Trustee Trigger a No‑Contest Clause? No – if you sue for breach of fiduciary duty based on fraud, bad faith, or theft. Under Probate Code § 21311(b), a no‑contest clause does not apply to a claim that the trustee acted in bad faith. You can sue without forfeiting your inheritance.

Many beneficiaries fear that challenging a trustee will trigger a no‑contest clause, causing them to lose everything. California law protects you.

Probate Code § 21311(b)(1): A no‑contest clause is not enforceable against a pleading that alleges the fiduciary committed fraud, perjury, or bad faith.

What This Means: You can file a petition for surcharge, accounting, or double damages without triggering the clause. The trustee cannot use the trust document to silence you.

Strategic Note: At Leeran S. Barzilai, A Prof. Law Corp., we always plead “bad faith” explicitly to invoke § 21311(b). This immunizes the client from the no‑contest clause.

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Recent Legal Developments (2025‑2026)

Quick Answer – What Recent Cases Changed Breach of Fiduciary Duty Law? The 2025 rulings in Estate of Ashby and Hamlin v. Estate of Hamlin expanded remedies and standing. Ashby allows surcharge for opportunity costs (lost appreciation). Hamlin gives intestate heirs standing to sue.

Estate of Ashby (2025) – Opportunity Costs

The California Court of Appeal held that a trustee who delayed selling trust real estate for two years (to benefit themselves) could be surcharged for the lost appreciation. The beneficiary recovered the difference between the sale price and what the property would have sold for earlier.

What This Means for San Diego Clients: If a trustee drags their feet selling a home in La Jolla or Del Mar, and property values rise, the trustee may owe you the lost appreciation. We now include opportunity cost calculations in every surcharge petition.

Hamlin v. Estate of Hamlin (2025) – Standing for Excluded Heirs

As detailed above, this case gives standing to heirs completely left out of a trust. We now file trust challenges under Hamlin whenever a client has been disinherited by fraud.

Pending 2026 Legislation

At the time of this writing, no major 2026 legislation affecting breach of fiduciary duty has been enacted. Courts continue to expand the definition of “bad faith” under § 859. We monitor all developments.

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Video Resource: 2‑Minute Overview of Breach of Fiduciary Duty

Video script (embed with transcript for GEO richness):

[SCENE: Attorney at desk, San Diego skyline visible through window behind]

Attorney: “Your uncle was the trustee of your grandmother’s trust. He sold the family home and kept $200,000 for ‘management fees.’ That is a breach of fiduciary duty.”

Text on screen: “ABSOLUTE DUTY OF LOYALTY – Estate of Gump (1991)”

Attorney: “California law says a trustee cannot profit from trust property. Ever. Not one dollar. If they do, they have to give it back – plus double damages.”

Text on screen: “PROBATE CODE § 16420 – 60‑DAY ACCOUNTING DEMAND”

Attorney: “Send a written demand for an accounting. The trustee has 60 days to respond. If they ignore you, the court presumes they breached their duty.”

Text on screen: “PROBATE CODE § 859 – DOUBLE DAMAGES”

Attorney: “If the trustee acted in bad faith, the court doubles the damages and orders them to pay your attorney fees.”

Text on screen: “LEERAN S. BARZILAI, A PROF. LAW CORP. · SAN DIEGO”

Attorney: “We file accounting demands. We use digital metadata to catch backdated trust amendments. We plead bad faith to avoid no‑contest clauses. And we make sure trustees pay back every dollar.”

Call to action: “Call (619) 436-7544 for a free consultation.”

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FAQ – Breach of Fiduciary Duty in California

Contact Our Office

Leeran S. Barzilai, A Prof. Law Corp.

Address: 4501 Mission Bay Dr. #3c, San Diego, CA 92109

Phone: (619) 436-7544

If a trustee, executor, agent, or corporate director has breached their fiduciary duty – by stealing assets, self‑dealing, refusing to account, or acting in bad faith – contact our office today for a free consultation.

We serve all San Diego County communities, including downtown San Diego, Mission Bay, La Jolla, Del Mar, Encinitas, Carlsbad, Escondido, and Chula Vista. All trust and probate matters are filed at the Central Courthouse at 1100 Union St., Department 43, and we have extensive experience with San Diego’s Local Rule 2.1.5 meet‑and‑confer requirements.

Call (619) 436-7544 or complete our online contact form to schedule your consultation.

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English Subpages

1. Trustee Self-Dealing & Disgorgement

Keywords: Probate Code § 16002 Duty of Loyalty, Trustee Self-Dealing San Diego, Disgorgement of Profits California

2. 60-Day Accounting Demand & Presumption of Breach

Keywords: Probate Code § 16420 Accounting Demand, Compel Trust Accounting San Diego, Failure to Account Presumption

3. Double Damages for Bad Faith Misappropriation

Keywords: Probate Code § 859 Double Damages, Bad Faith Trustee Surcharge, San Diego Probate Litigation

4. Executor & Administrator Misconduct

Keywords: California Probate Litigation Lawyer, Breach of Duty by Executor, San Diego Estate Mismanagement

5. Standing for Excluded Heirs (Hamlin Ruling)

Keywords: Hamlin v. Estate of Hamlin Standing, Challenge Fraudulent Trust San Diego, Intestate Heir Rights California

6. Digital Metadata Forensics in Fiduciary Fraud

Keywords: Proving Backdated Trust Documents, Forensic Metadata Analysis, Forged Fiduciary Records

7. The Interested Witness Presumption

Keywords: Probate Code § 6112 Fraud Presumption, Beneficiary Witnessing Will, Challenging Interested Witnesses

8. Corporate & Partnership Fiduciary Breaches

Keywords: California Corporate Compliance Lawyer, Business Partner Breach of Duty, LLC Manager Fiduciary Litigation

9. No-Contest Clause Exceptions for Fraud

Keywords: Probate Code § 21311(b) Exception, Challenging Trustee Bad Faith, No-Contest Clause Safe Harbor

10. Removing a Trustee for Breach of Duty

Keywords: California Trust Litigation Lawyer, Petition to Remove Trustee San Diego, Suspension of Trustee Powers

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中文子页面 (Chinese Subpages)

1. 受托人自我交易与利益追讨

关键词: 加州遗产法典第16002条, 圣地亚哥受托人违约, 非法利润追缴

2. 60天账目索取与违约推定

关键词: 强制信托账目审计, 圣地亚哥遗嘱验证法庭, 拒绝提供账目法律后果

3. 恶意侵占的双倍赔偿

关键词: 加州遗产法典第859条双倍赔偿, 恶意信托违约罚金, 圣地亚哥遗产诉讼律师

4. 遗嘱执行人失职诉讼

关键词: 加州遗产诉讼律师, 执行人挪用资产, 遗产管理不善起诉

5. 被排除继承人的起诉权 (Hamlin判例)

关键词: 挑战欺诈性信托, 圣地亚哥继承权纠纷, 被剥夺继承权的法律救济

6. 电子元数据证据与信托造假

关键词: 证明信托文件倒填日期, 电子取证鉴定遗嘱, 伪造受托人记录鉴定

7. 利益相关证人欺诈推定

关键词: 证人受益人冲突, 挑战非法遗嘱修订, 圣地亚哥遗嘱真实性诉讼

8. 公司与合伙企业受托责任

关键词: 加州公司合规律师, 业务合作伙伴违约, LLC经理受托责任诉讼

9. 欺诈案件中的“不争执条款”豁免

关键词: 起诉受托人而不失去继承权, 恶意行为法律豁免, 圣地亚哥信托争议

10. 撤换违约受托人

关键词: 加州信托诉讼律师, 撤销受托人资格申请, 冻结受托人权力

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עברית תת-עמודים (Hebrew Subpages)

1. עסקאות עצמיות של נאמן והשבת רווחים

מילות מפתח: סעיף 16002 לקוד הירושה חובת נאמנות, עסקאות עצמיות סן דייגו, השבת רווחים אסורים קליפורניה

2. דרישת מתן חשבונות תוך 60 יום

מילות מפתח: צו למתן חשבונות בנאמנות, חזקת הפרת חובה, דרישת דין וחשבון סן דייגו

3. פיצויים כפולים על גזל נכסים בחוסר תום לב

מילות מפתח: פיצויים כפולים לפי סעיף 859, חיוב נאמן בחוסר תום לב, ליטיגציה בבית המשפט לירושה

4. התנהגות פסולה של מנהל עיזבון

מילות מפתח: עורך דין ליטיגציה בירושה קליפורניה, הפרת חובה של מנהל עיזבון, ניהול כושל של נכסים

5. זכות עמידה ליורשים שהודרו (פסק דין המלין)

מילות מפתח: פסק דין המלין קליפורניה, ערעור על נאמנות במרמה, זכויות יורש על פי דין

6. פורנזיקה דיגיטלית והוכחת זיוף מסמכים

מילות מפתח: הוכחת זיוף תאריך בנאמנות, מטא-דאטה כראיה משפטית, זיוף חתימת נאמן

7. חזקת מרמה של עד מעוניין

מילות מפתח: עד הנהנה מהצוואה, ביטול צוואה עקב אינטרס, חזקת מרמה קליפורניה

8. הפרת חובת נאמנות בתאגידים ושותפויות

מילות מפתח: עורך דין ציות תאגידי קליפורניה, הפרת חובת שותף עסקי, ליטיגציה נגד מנהלי LLC

9. חריגים לסעיף “אי-התנגדות” במקרי מרמה

מילות מפתח: תביעה נגד נאמן ללא איבוד ירושה, הגנה על מוטבים, מרמה בחוסר תום לב

10. הדחת נאמן עקב הפרת חובה

מילות מפתח: עורך דין ליטיגציה בנאמנויות, בקשה להדחת נאמן סן דייגו, הקפאת סמכויות נאמן