Trust, Estate & Fiduciary Litigation

Practice Areas

Tier 1 ranked in Trust and Estate Litigation

McDonald Carano’s Trust, Estate & Fiduciary Litigation Group delivers an abundance of private wealth experience and proven litigation skills throughout Nevada. Our state-specific know-how is undeniably extensive and positions us to assist high net worth individuals and families with complex will and trust contests, inheritance disputes, fiduciary management and other probate litigation matters.

Our Trust, Estate & Fiduciary Litigation Practice is ranked in the highest Tier 1 category in the “Best Law Firms” 2023 report published by U.S. News–Best Lawyers. As the “Best Law Firms” report explains, “achieving a tiered ranking signals a unique combination of quality law practice and breadth of legal expertise.” Firms that receive the Tier 1 designation reflect the highest level of respect a firm can earn among other leading lawyers and clients from the same communities and practice areas.

Our work is not limited to disputes. Our Trust & Estates Practice Group offers clients strategies for avoiding controversies by carefully navigating the estate planning and administration processes, and we provide advice and counsel throughout the life of the matter on the potentially costly impacts and missteps.

Our Reno and Las Vegas attorneys’ experience is everything when it comes to overcoming the challenges associated with generational and wealth planning, as trust and estate litigation is a multi-dimensional discipline that often includes a variety of moving parts. This encompasses issues involving fiduciary duty, real estate, tax, family business succession, bankruptcy, and creditor-related matters, and our keen understanding of all these interconnected components is employed in our service to clients. Our Nevada-focused trust, estate and fiduciary litigation prowess, earned over decades of continuous practice, allows us to effectively guide clients through even the most complex or contentious trust and estate controversies, contests, and related litigation claims.

We deliver much-needed skill in practical problem solving, as well as the ability to effectively manage and leverage the opportunities arising in will and trust contests. Our Nevada trust and estate litigation attorneys are formidable adversaries, having repeatedly resolved disputes in which substantial assets are at stake, representing fiduciaries and other parties as defense and plaintiff counsel. We routinely appear on their behalf in arbitrations, mediations, bench trials, jury trials, and appeals in matters involving:

  • Claims
  • Will and trust contests
  • Breach of fiduciary duty
  • Fiduciary misconduct
  • Fraud
  • Financial elder abuse
  • Adult guardianships

Our experience extends to all aspects of disputes regarding private wealth involving estates, trusts, and adult guardianships. As a Firm, we have practiced in Nevada since 1949, making us well acquainted with the local rules as well as the unique propensities of the Nevada Judiciary.

Practice Area News

McDonald Carano Promotes Michael Whittaker to Partner

McDonald Carano is proud to announce that Michael Whittaker has been elevated to Partner, effective January 1, 2023. Michael is a Partner in our Trust & Estates Law practice which…

Nevada Supreme Court’s Non-Intervention Principle in NGC Proceedings

In an article titled “A Wynn for the Nevada Gaming Commission,” Adam Hosmer-Henner explains the Nevada Supreme Court’s general principle of non-intervention in Nevada Gaming Commission proceedings. Adam’s article is…

Influential Leader Recognition in Best In Business Contest

On December 7, Northern Nevada Business Weekly announced the results of its 2022 Best In Business contest and three McDonald Carano team members are the three top vote getters in…

Our Trust, Estate & Fiduciary Litigation Group

Leigh
Goddard

Partner Trust, Estate & Fiduciary LitigationChair Office775.788.2000 V-Card PDF (Print)

Robert E.
Armstrong

Partner Direct775.326.4339 Fax775.788.2020 V-Card PDF (Print)

James
Chisel

Attorney O:775.788.2000 D:775.326.4329 V-Card PDF (Print)

John
Galvin

Partner Direct775.398.7450 Fax775.788.2020 V-Card PDF (Print)

Adam
Hosmer-Henner

Partner (Reno)775.326.4321 (Las Vegas)702.257.4571 V-Card PDF (Print)

Mark
Knobel

Partner Direct775.398.7402 Fax775.788.2020 V-Card PDF (Print)

William A. S.
Magrath II

Partner Phone775.788.2000 Fax775.788.2020 V-Card PDF (Print)

Lance N.
McKenzie

Partner Direct775.398.7408 Fax775.788.2020 V-Card PDF (Print)

John B.
Mulligan

Senior Counsel Phone775.788.2000 Fax775.788.2020 V-Card PDF (Print)

Cody R.
Noble

Partner Phone702.873.4100 Fax702.873.9966 V-Card PDF (Print)

Zach
Noland

Attorney Direct775.326.4337 Office775.788.2000 V-Card PDF (Print)

Aaron
Shipley

Partner Phone702.873.4100 Fax702.873.9966 V-Card PDF (Print)

Scott A.
Swain

Partner Phone702.873.4100 Fax702.873.9966 V-Card PDF (Print)

Michael G.
Whittaker

Partner Phone702.873.4100 Fax702.873.9966 V-Card PDF (Print)

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