Protecting Inheritance: The Role of Independent Reviews and Mediation in Estate Law

Summary:

In this episode, host Bill interviews trust litigator and mediator Nathan Hoffman to explore proactive strategies for mitigating estate litigation. Hoffman shares his extensive experience with California Probate Code Section 21380, explaining how a Certificate of Independent Review protects gifts made to non-family entities like caregivers from undue influence claims. Real estate agents and legal professionals will discover the critical indicators of mental capacity, the psychological impacts of "Sundowner syndrome," and why early structured mediation yields vastly superior outcomes compared to emotionally and financially draining court trials.