Sloppy trust and estate administration commonly leads to litigation. Many things occur during trust and estate administration and probate, and not all of them are pleasant.   If there is a problem with a will or trust, if there has been mismanagement of an estate, if there is or was financial abuse of an elder, these problems will surface.  It is common for the ties holding family members together to become frayed due to stress and/or conflict after the death of the family patriarch or matriarch. Special skills are needed to deal with these complex family dynamics.

For 30 years, trustees, estate executors, fiduciaries and beneficiaries have been trusting Joseph Mona to navigate the complex estate administration issues involving estates.  As a Certified Specialist in Estate, Trust and Probate law, an accomplished mediator, and Certified Public Accountant, Mr. Mona is able to draw on his unique interdisciplinary qualifications to provide unique strategies and approaches to yield asset protecting, cost saving, and family preserving solutions.

Fiduciaries

Joseph Mona routinely advises trustees, executors and administrators on their legal responsibilities in the following complex situations:

• Dealing with closely held family businesses.
• Harnessing family disharmony resulting from complex family dynamics such as sibling rivalry or second (or third) marriages.
• Managing and disposing of commercial and residential real estate.
• Locating missing assets.
• Minimizing taxes.
• Expediting the legal process of estate administration
• Facilitating communication between fiduciaries and beneficiaries
• Eliminating uncertainties
• Minimizing exposure to common litigation risks that could lead to estate depletion 

Beneficiaries

Beneficiaries are entitled to have trusts, estates and wills administered fairly, promptly, cost effectively and transparently.   In many situations family members serving as fiduciaries have no experience or do not understand their responsibilities under the law. In other instances a history of family disharmony may carry over to the administration of an estate or trust.

Joseph Mona advises and represents beneficiaries by:

• Serving as a beneficiary advocate.
• Enhancing transparency and communication by Trustees.
• Compelling accounts by Trustees.
• Resolving inheritance disputes.
• Locating missing or stolen assets.
• Assuring that estates are administered fairly, promptly and cost effectively.
• Investigating accounting and asset inventory disputes.
• Addressing cases of financial elder abuse.
• Educating beneficiaries about the administration process. 

You are encouraged to contact our office today to schedule a personal consultation and case evaluation.