Probate Litigation 101: The Nuts and Bolts (CA) [Three-Part Webinar] (OnDemand Streaming and Recorded Packages)

What You Will Learn

Agenda

Part 1: Thursday, September 10, 2026
1:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. Pacific Time

Speakers:  Barry Adams, Mark A. Lester, Dan Herbert, Edgar Saenz and Amber Morton

1:00 p.m. – 2:05 p.m.
Important Statutory Deadlines in Trust and Probate Matters
Edgar Saenz 

Claims to be brought during lifetime of elder

• Deadlines associated with will contests
• Creditor’s claim deadlines
• Trust contest deadlines
• Accounting deadlines
• Deadlines for claims that survive decedent’s death
• Breach of trust deadlines
• Financial elder abuse deadlines

2:05 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
BREAK 

2:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Discovery – Differences between Probate and Civil Litigation
Barry Adams 

• Probate specific discovery procedures
  • Probate Code § 8870 – Discovery of Decedent’s Property
  • Probate Code § 2616 – Similar procedures for a conservatorship
• Subpoenaing Records 

2:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Capacity
Mark A. Lester  

• Presumption of Capacity
• Probate Code §§ 810-12
• Estate of Fritschi
• Capacity to execute trust
  • Anderson v. Hunt
  • Walton v. Bank of CA
  • Lintz v. Lintz
• Capacity to execute will
  • Probate Code 6100.5
• Conservatorships (functional capacity)
  • Probate Code 1801

3:15 p.m. – 3:25 p.m.
BREAK  

3:25 p.m. – 4:05 p.m.
Undue Influence
Dan Herbert and Amber Morton  

• WIC § 15610.70
• Burden of proof on contestant
• Estate of Truckenmeiller
• Elements to establish undue influence
  • Estate of Lingenfelter
  • Estate of Yale
  • Estate of Little (where decedent suffers from debilitating illness, less evidence of pressure might be required)
  • Estate of Allen (where alleged wrongdoer committed undue influence while acting in a fiduciary capacity, the requirements are diminished)
• Presumption of Undue Influence – Burden shifting
  • David v. Hermann
  • Estate of Rugani
  • Estate of Llewellyn
• Rebutting Presumption of Undue Influence
  • Clear and convincing evidence
  • Transfer to person who drafted instrument, presumption is conclusive and cannot be rebutted.
  • Unsuccessful rebuttal results in bearing of all costs including reasonable attorney fees.

4:05 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Contests
Dan Herbert and Amber Morton  

• Trust Contests
• Will Contests / Revocation or Probate
• Contract to Make a Will

Part 2: Thursday, September 17, 2026
1:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. Pacific Time

Speakers: Chris Carico, William Benz, Yevgeny L. Belous and Kirsten A. Brown 

1:00 p.m. – 2:05 p.m.
Removal of Fiduciaries and Accounting Litigation
Chris Carico and William Benz  

• Appointment of temporary trustee
• Probate Code § 17206
• Probate Code § 15642(e)
• Strategy re proposing neutral PPF
• Real property – recording interim order
• Accounting Litigation
  • From trustee
    • Probate Code §§ 16060-61
    • Probate Code § 17200
    • De facto trustee / Trustee de son tort
    • England v. Winslow

2:05 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
BREAK 

2:15 p.m. – 3:05 p.m.
Conservatorships
Yevgeny L. Belous  

• Contested Conservatorships
  • Probate Code § 1800.3
  • Conservatorship of Ramirez
  • Fees – Probate Code § 2640.1
• Substituted judgment petitions – Probate Code 2580
• Representing clients with limited capacity

3:15 p.m. – 3:25 p.m.
BREAK 

3:25 p.m. – 4:05 p.m.
850 Petitions
Kirsten A. Brown 

• Statute of limitations
  • Estate of Yool
  • CCP 366.2 1-year SOL does not apply
• Real property – lis pendens
• 859 Damages

 4:05 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Prohibited Donees – Probate Code § 21380
Yevgeny L. Belous 

• Definitions
• Drafted / transcribed
• Care custodian / dependent adult
  • Exclusions
• Certificate of Independent Review / Independent Attorney

Part 3: Thursday, September 24, 2026
1:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.

Speakers: Mark A. Lester, Chris Carico, Barry Adams, Jeff Marvan and Dan Herbert 

1:00 p.m. – 1:35 p.m.
Pre-litigation Mediation and Settlement
Mark A. Lester and Chris Carico 

• Petitions to Approve Settlement
• Demand letter
• Draft of unfiled petition
• Offer to mediate 

1:35 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Trials and Evidence
Jeffrey Marvan and Mark Lester

1:35 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Trials and Evidence
Jeffrey Marvan and Mark Lester

• Final status conference
• Trial prep
• Pre-trial deadlines
• Trial briefs
• Evidentiary issues
• Motions in Limine
• Excluding witnesses
• Order of trial
  • Opening statements
  • Whose case is presented first
  • Order of witnesses / Direct & Cross Examinations
  • Expert witnesses
  • Introduction of Exhibits
  • Objections
  • Closing arguments 

2:35 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
BREAK

2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Trials and Evidence (continued)
Jeffrey Marvan and Mark Lester

• Attorney-Client Privilege
• Fiduciaries and Successor Fiduciaries
  • Moeller v. Superior Court
  • Wells Fargo Bank v. Superior Court
  • Eddy v. Fields
  • Borissoff v. Taylor & Faust
• Holder of privilege after death
  • Evidence Code §§ 953-54
• Exceptions
  • Evidence Code § 957
  • Evidence Code § 958
  • Evidence Code § 959
  • Evidence Code § 960
  • Evidence Code § 961

3:45 p.m. – 3:55 p.m.
BREAK 

3:55 p.m. – 4:20 p.m.
Ethics
Dan Herbert  

4:20 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Getting Paid: Attorneys’ Fees and Petitions
Barry Adams 

Testimonials

“This was a fantastic program, very complete and substantive. Great panel with great information. I learned a lot which I know will help my practice. The seminar handbook really was like a goldmine of information.” — Steven A. Friedman, Esq.

“Excellent practical content and engaging presenters.” — Jenny Shin, Esq.

“Comprehensive overview of the probate litigation process.” — Jackson Morgus, Esq.

“Lots of great information for a new attorney, thank you. The detailed handout to follow along is a great tool for future use.” — Samuel R. Brown, Esq.

“Topical, practical, and I thoroughly enjoyed the Judge’s point of view on best practices from the bench.” — Jenny Shin, Esq.

“Very satisfied.” — Jackson Morgus, Esq.

“It was educational, and as a fairly new probate litigator I learned some very valuable information. The handouts have been invaluable, and I am really glad to have that perk of participating in the webinar.” — Page Allinson, Esq.

“Great handouts. I found the program to be very helpful and informative.” — Asha Lopez, Esq.

“Clear and comprehensive, efficiently presented.” — Brian Beckwith, Esq.

“Excellent. Very satisfied.” — Laura Bartels, Esq.

“Loved the probate note section. Super helpful. I learned so much.” — Laura Bartels, Esq.

“Great.” — Josseph Hudack, Esq.

“Great presentation; great notes. I love that in the handout there were no slides with too much text…right to the good stuff, the notes.” — Edward Batista, Esq.

“The speakers were all great. Learned a lot, filled in a lot of gaps.” — Monica A. Mihell, Esq.

“Excellent! The pace was good—slow enough to take notes and fast enough to keep me engaged.” — Hillary Grosberg, Esq.

“All presenters clearly had the appropriate experience and clarified presentation by including specific examples from their practices. All presenters welcomed questions and fielded them appropriately and fully.” — Brian Beckwith, Esq.

“Practical information I can implement today—that’s what I was looking for.” — Jenny Shin, Esq.

“I thought the content was informative and will help in my practice.” — Jeffrey Slack, Esq.

“The speakers were very knowledgeable.” — Raychele B. Sterling, Esq.

“The day again moved very smoothly and efficiently, and I appreciated how seamless it all was.” — Page Allinson, Esq.

“Excellent.” — Paul Miller, Esq.

“The content was really informative.” — Jeffrey Slack, Esq.

“I really liked the mediation and trial/evidence portions of today’s program.” — Evan L. Smith, Esq.

“Enjoyed the program. Learned a great deal of material…comments from the bench are always helpful.” — Tom Borchard, Esq.

“Totally satisfied. Highly relevant to my practice area.” — Justin Otten, Esq.

“Excellent primer. Excellent faculty.” — Ruth Stoner Muzzin, Esq.

“I think it was great to have the insights of a judge.” — Ronda Dixon, Esq.

“Great overview. Speakers were all great!” — Ian Guthrie, Esq.

“There were certain areas I had not considered before, but which will be helpful for practicing in both L.A. County and Orange County.” — Austin Borchard, Esq.

“This was well done.” — Diane Herring-Ysaguirre, Esq.

“Very knowledgeable speakers, great to have the materials beforehand.” — Anna Darr, Esq.

“Great information.” — Joanna Averett, Esq.

“Very good. Just what I needed at this time.” — Carmen Qualls, Esq.

“I really enjoyed the content. It appeals to new probate attorneys, attorneys new to litigation, and is a refresher for those who are more experienced.” — Savannah Estenson, Esq.

“My goal was a brief overview of Probate Litigation, with some helpful practice takeaways—both were accomplished!” — Abigail McLaughlin, Esq.

“Well-organized. Very informative. Good Q&A.” — David Kim, Esq.

“It was excellent—very helpful to me as someone just starting out in this area of law.” — Gabrielle J. Korte, Esq.

“Speakers were super knowledgeable and practical. Learned a few very important nuggets to keep me malpractice free.” — Elizabeth Vozzella, Esq.

“Great presentation! Very relevant. Great panel. Thank you!” — Marta N. Jonsson, Esq.

“Excellent.” — Adele Schneidereit, Esq.

“Loved Lauriann Wright’s real-life case experience and practice tips. She was so helpful.” — Jill Piano, Esq.

“Great presentations and materials, thanks!”

“Excellent material and presentations. I found the trials and evidence section to be particularly helpful.”

“Very useful program. Love the hypos for ethics. Fantastic and practical.”

“Really enjoying it so far. Really good information.”

“Excellent overview, coverage, and material.”

“Very well-done presentations. Clear and knowledgeable.”

“Great to have materials to refer to after this program.”

“Presenters are knowledgeable.”

“This was an excellent 3 hours. If the next two sessions are as good, this will have been one of the best programs I’ve ever attended (and I was admitted to the Bar in 1981).”

“Excellent.”

“Informative, especially the Evidence session.”

“Very good. Trial and evidence very informative.”

“It was great, very interesting.”

“Great job.”

“The information was helpful.”

“Lots of good information.”

“The information gives me more confidence in practicing probate litigation.”

“Very good; clear and organized information.”

“Informative and useful information.”

“Very content rich.”

“It was great. Great slides/handouts.”

“Great content.”

“Very informative. Learned new material and practice tips.”

“Very well-executed.”

“I am enjoying the program and finding it very informative.”

“Very informative and thorough.”

“This was good, particularly the conservatorship section.”

“I enjoyed it!”

“Very informative.”

“Stellar!”

“Good speakers.”

“Great program—thank you for answering my questions.”

“Very helpful.”

“Good topics. Good panel. A good refresher.”

“All really good.”

“Great information and real-life examples.”

“It was great! Very informative.”

“I just started in probate law and this was a wonderfully informative program, and provides a great overview.”

“It was very informative; the speakers were interesting and stayed on point. Very good.”

“My scores for the speakers are based on their excellent delivery of experience-based information and advice.”

“Informative.”

“Excellent.”

“There is a lot of helpful information. The handouts are really helpful to be able to go back and reference.”

“The program overall was exceptional. The thoroughness of what was covered in the time constraint of one day was well done.”

“Excellent presentations. Speakers were great.”

“Great refresher course—highlighted items/issues not used often.”

“Very satisfied.”

“The program was very good.”

“The handout materials are great.”

“Really good handouts.”

“Thank you.” — Phuong Kim Nguyen, Esq.

“Excellent overview.”

Faculty

Barry L. Adams, Esq.
Partner
Law Office of Adams & Rafferty, P.C.

Barry Adams has been certified as a Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the State Bar of California. He concentrates his practice in estates, trusts and elder law. Barry has extensive experience in all aspects of estates, trusts and elder law. He is particularly experienced and passionate about assisting families in conflict after loved ones die.  He takes great pride in finding creative and innovative ways to end the conflict so the grieving family members can move on with their lives. He is the founder of the Elder Law Clinic of Empire Law School and was formerly a professor of Elder Law at Empire Law School. He is a member of  the Probate and Trust section of the State Bar of California and the Trusts and Estates Sections of the Orange County Bar Association and the Sonoma County Bar Association. He speaks about avoiding conflict and contests in trusts and estates to groups throughout California.  In his spare time, he is an amateur genealogist, avid tennis player and admitted gadget lover.

Yevgeny L. Belous, Esq.
Partner
Rodnunsky & Associates

Yevgeny L. Belous completed his undergraduate studies at the University of California Santa Cruz in 2005, graduating with a degree in Economics and Business Management. Mr. Belous earned his J.D. from Thomas Cooley Law School in 2009. He has been practicing law for 15 years.

Mr. Belous practices exclusively in the areas of trusts and estates, conservatorships, guardianships, estate planning and probate litigation. A large portion of his practice is devoted to representing professional fiduciaries in court proceedings and private trusts. He has been named a Super Lawyer Rising Star for the years 2018 – 2023. at the University of California Santa Cruz in 2005, graduating with a degree in Economics and Business Management. Mr. Belous earned his J.D. from Thomas Cooley Law School in 2009. He has been practicing law for 15 years.

Mr. Belous practices exclusively in the areas of trusts and estates, conservatorships, guardianships, estate planning and probate litigation. A large portion of his practice is devoted to representing 

William G. Benz, Esq.
Partner
Ervin Cohen & Jessup LLP

William G. Benz is a seasoned litigator in the firm’s trust and estate litigation and business transactions departments. He assists a broad array of clients, ranging from private professional fiduciaries to privately-owned companies.

William represents both beneficiaries and fiduciaries in complex probate court matters – including family-member, paid professional, and public fiduciaries. Due to his background in business and corporate law, Mr. Benz brings to bear a unique set of tools that aids him in trust and estate disputes involving intricate layered corporate entities. He also helps his clients in cases of financial elder abuse, fiduciary surcharge and removal, and Probate Code section 850 petitions to recover trust property.

William is also experienced in forming businesses and ventures, including limited liability companies, S-Corporations, C-Corporations, and the transition or sale of existing businesses.

He is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in California, has served as counsel for Amicus Curie in front of the California Supreme Court, and has prosecuted cases for the Long Beach City Prosecutor’s office through the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Trial Advocacy Program.

Kirsten A. Brown, Esq.

Manning & Kass, Ellrod, Ramirez, Trester LLP

 Ms. Brown received her B.A. in Economics and B.S. in Management from the University of California, Merced. She was a member of the Chancellor’s List for outstanding academic achievement and was a member of Order of Omega Honor Society. Ms. Brown received her JD from Southwestern Law School. She received several awards for her accomplishments including: Dean’s Merit Award, Public Interest Grant Recipient and the Wiley W. Manuel Certificate for Pro Bono Services. Ms. Brown was a Lead Article Editor for the Southwestern Journal of International Law. She was one of four students selected to be a part of the Appellate Practicum in her final year of law school regarding an immigration appeal before the Ninth Circuit. She was also a member of several clinics at Southwestern including: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Immigration Law Clinic. 

Ms. Brown was a judicial extern in the United States District Court for the Honorable Consuelo B. Marshall. She also externed in the Department of Justice, Tax Division where she helped draft motions in bankruptcy and tax court.   

Before joining the firm, Ms. Brown worked as a tax attorney at a boutique tax resolution company in Burbank, California, where she managed over 300 cases dealing with a variety of tax issues including audits, offers in compromise, innocent spouse, and back tax debt to name a few. She also managed high tax debt cases with taxpayers owing more than a million dollars in back taxes.

Ms. Brown is admitted to the California State Bar and the United States District Court, Central District of California. Her publications include "Anti-Dumping Duties: Brazil’s Solution to its Cotton Subsidy Dispute with the United States" and helped author "Sporting Events as Sites of International Law, Society, and Governance: The 2014 Brazil World Cup: Forward" in the Southwestern Journal of International Law. 

Christopher D. Carico, Esq.
Partner/Certified Legal Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law
Ervin Cohen & Jessup LLP

Christopher D. Carico is Partner & Co-Chair of the Estate Planning, Probate and Trusts Department.

Chris is a board-certified specialist in estate planning, trust, and probate law with 35 years of legal experience. His practice includes all facets of trusts and estates, and he represents families, individuals, professional trustees, conservators, guardians, and beneficiaries.

Chris has a wealth of experience in both the estate tax planning and litigation components of trust and estate law. Because of this dual expertise, Mr. Carico designs estate planning instruments that can stand up to the closest scrutiny, and he knows how to challenge others’ instruments from the ground level up.

Chris divides his time between: (1) representing beneficiaries and fiduciaries in dispute resolution, will and trust contests, financial elder abuse actions, fiduciary surcharge, removal and accounting litigation, and property characterization disputes; and (2) counseling clients on advanced estate planning techniques including family limited partnership, family limited liability companies, designated beneficiary trusts, qualified personal residence trusts, intentionally defective grantor trusts, and life insurance trusts.

Chris has frequently served as a court-appointed expert to provide his opinions and recommendations to the probate court in the following types of actions: trust reformation proceedings, fiduciary accountings, actions for breach of fiduciary duty, actions for fiduciary suspension and removal, fee petitions, and compromise of creditors’ claims.

Committed to helping individuals resolve trust and estate disputes as quickly and efficiently as possible, Chris volunteers time as a mediator on the various court-sponsored pro bono probate mediation panels, and is currently acting as a volunteer Probate Settlement Officer on Los Angeles County Superior Court’s Probate Settlement Conference Panel. Chris served from 2014 through 2018 on the Executive Committee for the Trust and Estate Section of the State Bar of California, now the statewide California Lawyers Association.

Larry Dushkes, Esq.
Certified Specialist – Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law
Dushkes Law Corporation

Larry S. Dushkes is a principal of Dushkes Law Corporation. Mr. Dushkes is a member of the California State Bar (and a certified specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law) and is admitted to practice before all state and federal courts in California, as well as the U.S. Tax Court. Mr. Dushkes is a graduate of Stanford University (A.B. 1979), which he attended on a National Merit scholarship, is also a graduate of the UCLA School of Law (J.D. 1982), and has taught as an Adjunct Professor at Golden Gate University’s Graduate School of Taxation.

Mr. Dushkes specializes in estate planning, probate and will contests, and also practices in the area of business planning and litigation, and federal, state and local tax planning and controversies. Mr. Dushkes is a past member of the Executive Committee of the Trust and Estates Section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, serves on the Litigation Committee and the Ethics Committee of the Trusts and Estates section of the State Bar of California, served as co-chair of the Property Tax Committee of the State Bar of California, served twice as chairman of the State and Local Tax Committee of the Taxation Section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, and is a past chairman of the Tax Section of the Young Lawyers Division of the American Bar Association.  

Daniel B. Herbert, Esq.
Partner/Certified Legal Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law
Manning & Kass, Ellrod, Ramirez, Trester LLP

Daniel B. Herbert is a partner in the law firm of Manning & Kass, Ellrod, Ramirez, Trester LLP, where he has been head of the firm’s trust and estate litigation group since 2005. Previously he was a partner with McKay, Meyer and Herbert, APC, where he was in charge of that firm’s trust and estate litigation for eight years. He has successfully litigated many contested trust and estate matters, including at trial and on appeal, including winning a .4 million judgment at trial and a .1 million appeal in the same day. He is certified by the California Board of Legal Specialization as a specialist in estate planning, trust, and probate law.

Mr. Herbert has made several presentations to attorneys including to the American Bar Association at the 2009 Annual Symposia of its Real Property, Trust & Estate Section in Washington DC (regarding trust and probate litigation); the State Bar of California at its 2014 Summit in Newport Beach (Litigated to Death: How to Sue, Defend, and Settle with the Dead); the Los Angeles County Bar at its Trusts & Estates Symposium in 2015 (ethics for the probate bar); and post-death litigation presentations to civil litigation and trial attorneys in Los Angeles (broadcast live to five other cities) in 2012, 2016.

His presentations for Pincus Professional Education include specialist-certification courses in 2013, 2015; Trust & Estate Boot Camp in 2014; Probate practical course in 2016; Advanced Estate Planning seminar for complicated estates in 2016; and Probate Litigation 101 in 2017 & 2019.

He authored Trustees Face Big Liability published in the Insurance Journal on December 20, 2010, and Last Beneficiary Standing: Identifying Proper Parties in Fiduciary Litigation published in the ABA e/Report in June 2009.

Mr. Herbert is admitted to practice law in the state and federal courts of California (1990), Illinois (1994), and New York (2002), and before the Seventh and Ninth Circuit Courts of Appeal. He graduated cum laude from Whittier Law School in 1990 with many honors and distinctions (Law Review, Dean’s List, Honor Roll, Dean’s Merit Scholarship, and several American Jurisprudence Awards). He is a member of the trust and estate sections of the American Bar Association, California Lawyer’s Association, Illinois State Bar Association, New York State Bar Association, Los Angeles County Bar Association, and Pasadena Bar Association.

Mark A. Lester, Esq.
Partner
Lester & Hirschberg, LLP

In a career spanning over 40 years, Mark Lester is widely recognized for his legal achievements. He has been certified as an estate planning, trust, and probate law specialist by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. In September 2022, he finished serving as the Chairperson and six-year tenure as one of 7 members of the Board of Trustees of the California Board of Legal Specialization after 5 years of service as one of the nine (9) appointed commissioners on the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization, Estate Planning Law Advisory Commission, which is responsible for writing, administering and grading the certification examination and approving the application for California attorneys seeking to become California Certified Specialists in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. Since 2021, Mr. Lester continues to serve as an appointed member of the Marketing Subcommittee of the ABA Standing Committee on Specialization. Beginning in 2015, Mark has been annually recognized as a Southern California Super LawyerTM in Estate & Trust Litigation (2015 – 2024), in Estate Planning & Probate (2015 & 2018) and in Corporate/Business (2018) areas of the law, and in 2022, 2023 and 2024 as a Southern California Top 100 Super LawyerTM.

Mark has an established reputation in the legal community as a respected trial attorney. He also frequently serves as a Voluntary Settlement Officer through the San Fernando Valley Bar Association for the Probate Department of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, as well as for the Ventura County Superior Court Probate Department. Mr. Lester previously served as a Judge Pro Tem for the Small Claims Department of the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Mr. Lester earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Stanford University in 1977.  In 1980, he earned his Juris Doctor degree from Seattle University School of Law.  While attending law school, he was Chairman of the Membership Committee of Phi Delta Phi and an Associate Editor for the Puget Sound Law Review, now known as the Seattle University Law Review.  He also received the American Jurisprudence Award in Trusts and Estates.  After graduating from law school, Mr. Lester went on to earn his Master of Laws, or LL.M., Taxation degree from Boston University School of Law in 1981. 

Mark is a local community leader as well, volunteering for the Ventura County Wellness & Caregiver Resource Center and the golf committee for the Ventura County Council Boy Scouts of America. He has served on the Board of Directors for Family Health Care Centers of Greater Los Angeles, Inc. and the Oxnard Police Foundation. For almost 15 years, Mark (an Eagle Scout since 1969) served as an Assistant Scoutmaster and merit badge counselor for Western Los Angeles County Council Boy Scout Troop 485, where three of his sons also attained the rank of Eagle Scout. 

Jeffrey Marvan, Esq.
Founder
Marvan Law APC

Jeff Marvan is the founder of MarvanLaw, A.P.C.  A 1999 graduate of the U.C. Davis, King Hall School of Law, Jeff started his career as a criminal public defender for Yolo County. In 2003, Jeff refocused his passion for the law on estate planning and probate and trust litigation. He realized his longtime goal of establishing his own firm in 2006 when he launched MarvanLaw, A.P.C.

Jeff thrives in the courtroom. He enjoys the strategy and quick thinking necessary for litigation. As a former criminal defense attorney, he understands the courtroom dynamic and uses that foundation to continuously achieve positive results for his clients.

Jeff has a passion for estate planning.  It is a creative way to help families plan for their long-term future.

Jeff is always trying to solve cases for his clients.  He, additionally, enjoys acting as a mediator and representing neutral third parties to help contesting parties get out of the economically and emotionally expensive court system.

Jeff is a member of the Beverly Hills Bar Association, the Los Angeles County Bar Association, the Probate Volunteer Panel, and the Los Angeles County Probate Settlement Officer Program. He is part of the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Trust and Estate subcommittee responsible for helping organize continuing education focused on trust and estate subjects.

From 2012 to 2014, Jeff served as an associate professor at Glendale University College of Law, teaching trusts and estates.  Jeff has presented at numerous legal education programs sponsored by the Los Angeles County Bar Association Trusts and Estates Section, the San Fernando Bar Association Trusts and Estates Section, the South Bay Bar Association Trusts and Estates Section, the Professional Fiduciaries Association of California, Pincus Professional Education, and others.  Jeff is currently the business representative of his local neighborhood council.

Jeff grew up in Miami, Florida, and attended undergraduate school at Colorado College in Colorado Springs. He met his wife Jade while working as a public defender in Northern California. They live in Los Angeles with their two daughters.

Amber N. Morton, Esq.
Partner
Holland & Knight LLP

Amber N. Morton is an attorney in Holland & Knight’s Los Angeles office and a member of the firm’s Private Wealth Services Group. Ms. Morton is an experienced litigator, and her practice focuses on all aspects of complex trusts and estates litigation, including trust and will contests, contested conservatorships, breach of fiduciary duty matters and financial elder abuse claims.

Prior to joining Holland & Knight, Ms. Morton was an attorney with a boutique Los Angeles trusts and estates litigation firm. Prior to that, Ms. Morton gained substantial litigation experience representing large public and private entities in employment-related litigation in state and federal courts.

While in law school,  Ms. Morton was the president of the Latino Law Students Association, a copy editor for the Southern California Review of Law and Social Justice and a certified intern for the Post-Conviction Justice Project. Ms. Morton also gained experience as a judicial extern for the Honorable Stephen Reinhardt of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Edgar Saenz, Esq.
Principal/Certified Legal Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law
Law Office of Edgar Saenz

Edgar Saenz is a Los Angeles estate planning attorney and graduate of Stanford Law School.   He is a member of several bar trust and estate sections.  He serves on numerous community and professional boards, including past president of the Westchester Rotary Club (2013-2014) board member of the LAX Area Chamber of Commerce.  Edgar is rated AV by Martindale Hubbell.

Edgar has performed pro bono legal services for the Los Angeles Center for Law and Justice and other nonprofits. 

He has been a judge pro tem with the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Fees

Fees & Format Options

🎯 Early Bird Rate Deadline: Save $25 through June 26, 2026.
Discount applied automatically at checkout.

💻 OnDemand Streaming

Watch the recorded seminar on your own schedule, as often as you’d like, from any device. Access lasts one year from purchase.

• Standard Rate: $429
• Early Bird Rate: $404*
• Includes: Seminar recording + written materials
• For individual use only

Group rates available for 3–4 attorneys watching together. Licenses available for 5+ attorneys—contact us for details. info@pincusproed.com or (877) 858-3848.

📦 Recorded Packages (Download, DVD, or CD)

These packages are for a single viewer and include seminar materials.

▶️ Video Recording (Download or DVD)

• Standard Rate: $429
• Early Bird Rate: $404*
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🎧 Audio Only Recording (Download or CD)

Great for listening in your car or on the go.

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• Early Bird Rate: $454*
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🗓️ Availability

This program will be recorded live on September 10, 17 and 24, 2026.
OnDemand Streaming and Recorded Packages will be available approximately 2–3 weeks after the seminar. If you need access sooner, direct Zoom links will be provided.

⚠️ Important Notes

• OnDemand Streaming can be viewed on any device.
• Recorded Downloads must be downloaded to a computer first before transferring to another device. Files are delivered as a zipped folder containing the recording and written materials.

💼 Group Access & Licensing

Discounted rates are available for 3–4 attorneys watching together (Live or OnDemand).
Licenses are also available for firms or agencies with 5+ attorneys.

To inquire or purchase group access:
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CLE Credit

🎓 CLE Credit Information

California:
Approved for 10.5 General CLE credits.
Certified Legal Specialist: This program is pending approval for CA CLS CLE.

New York:
This program is eligible for 10.5 General CLE credits under New York’s Approved Jurisdiction policy.
Pincus Professional Education is a California Accredited Provider, and California is an approved jurisdiction under Section 6 of the New York State CLE Board Regulations and Guidelines.

🌎 Other States

CLE credit is officially approved in the states listed above.
If you practice in a different state, we’re happy to help—upon request, we will provide the materials and information you need to apply for CLE credit on your own. Many of our past attendees have successfully obtained credit in other jurisdictions.

To request assistance:
📧 info@pincusproed.com | ☎ (877) 858-3848