No Contest Clauses

A no-contest clause is a provision in an otherwise valid instrument that, if enforced, would penalize a beneficiary if the beneficiary files a contest with the court. A typical no-contest clause provides that a beneficiary will forfeit his or her beneficial interest in the estate plan if he or she seeks to invalidate or impair the instrument or any of its provisions.

Trust litigation and probate litigation are conducted within the Probate Division of the Superior Court or Circuit Court of local jurisdiction. The Probate Division for Santa Clara County Superior Court is located at 191 N. First Street, San Jose, CA.

The Law Offices of Dawson G. Crawford can assist you with no contest clauses in estates, trusts, or probate, in either Santa Clara County Superior Court, San Francisco County Superior Court, Hawaii’s Fifth Circuit Court (Kauai), or other Superior and Circuit Courts within California or Hawaii.