In the probate court, it is unlikely that every party will be satisfied with the outcome of a case. However, while it is rare, if you believe a mistake was made during the court proceedings that led to an imbalanced or incorrect ruling, requesting an appellate court to review the decision may be an option that’s available to you.
If you act promptly and have an attorney with substantial appellate court experience by your side, you may be able to successfully appeal a probate court decision.
A probate appeal asks the appellate court to review the lower court’s final decision on a probate matter.
Simply disagreeing with the court’s decision is not a basis for a probate appeal. Generally, to have grounds for an appeal, you must be able to show from the record before the probate court that the probate judge made a mistake in interpreting or applying the law, committed an error in deciding what evidence could or could not be considered, or had no basis from the facts before it to support the decision made.
While it is necessary to demonstrate error to be successful in your appeal of a probate court decision, that is not enough to have a solid chance at winning an appeal in probate court. You also have to prove that the alleged error was prejudicial, meaning that it affected the outcome of the case. To determine this, ask yourself: If the error hadn’t been made, would the court’s decision have been different? If the answer is yes, then you probably have grounds to launch a probate appeal. If the answer is no, the appellate court will likely deny your appeal.
Keystone’s team of probate appeal attorneys can review the facts of your case with you to determine what your chances are of successfully appealing a probate decision. They possess the expertise to guide you through the complex probate appeals process.
In your initial probate case, did you offer evidence that the court, in error, refused to consider? Did the court incorrectly interpret the law? Did the court’s error change the outcome of the case? Do you believe that the probate court lacked sufficient evidence to support its decision?
It is important to note that a probate appeal is not a new trial; it just provides an opportunity for a higher court to review a lower court’s decision to determine whether the court had made mistakes during the trial.
If you believe your probate case was negatively impacted by a court error, a Keystone probate appeals lawyer can help you file an appeal to try to overturn the original decision.
For a probate court appeal to have merit, your case must satisfy certain criteria. Not only will you have to explain the law and facts that show prejudicial error by the probate court, but you also will have to comply with all appeals procedures if you are to have any chance of winning your appeal—and these procedures are different from the procedures you and your trial attorney had to follow in your probate court trial.
One of the most important things to be mindful of during the probate appeals process is time limits. Probate court appeals must be brought within a short, specified time after the final order is entered; otherwise, they are time-barred. California Rule of Court 8.104(a)(1) sets the time limits for appeals, which may be as short as 60 days after the judgment or order is entered. Ideally, you should retain a probate appeals attorney as soon as you are notified of the probate court’s unfavorable decision.
California law is specific about the types of probate decisions that can be appealed. It is California Probate Code section 1300 that governs general appealable probate decisions and allows appeals from the making of, or the refusal to make, any of the following orders:
“(a) Directing, authorizing, approving, or confirming the sale, lease, encumbrance, grant of an option, purchase, conveyance, or exchange of property.
(b) Settling an account of a fiduciary.
(c) Authorizing, instructing, or directing a fiduciary, or approving or confirming the acts of a fiduciary.
(d) Directing or allowing payment of a debt, claim, or cost.
(e) Fixing, authorizing, allowing, or directing payment of compensation or expenses of an attorney.
(f) Fixing, directing, authorizing, or allowing payment of the compensation or expenses of a fiduciary.
(g) Surcharging, removing, or discharging a fiduciary.
(h) Transferring the property of the estate to a fiduciary in another jurisdiction.
(i) Allowing or denying a petition of the fiduciary to resign.
(j) Discharging a surety on the bond of a fiduciary.
(k) Adjudicating the merits of a claim made under Part 19 (commencing with Section 850) of Division 2.”
In regard to a decedent’s estate specifically, California Probate Code section 1303 allows an appeal from the granting, or refusal to grant, these orders:
“(a) Granting or revoking letters to a personal representative, except letters of special administration or letters of special administration with general powers.
(b) Admitting a will to probate or revoking the probate of a will.
(c) Setting aside a small estate under Section 6609.
(d) Setting apart a probate homestead or property claimed to be exempt from enforcement of a money judgment.
(e) Granting, modifying, or terminating a family allowance.
(f) Determining heirship, succession, entitlement, or the persons to whom distribution should be made.
(g) Directing distribution of property.
(h) Determining that property passes to, or confirming that property belongs to, the surviving spouse under Section 13656.
(i) Authorizing a personal representative to invest or reinvest surplus money under Section 9732.
(j) Determining whether an action constitutes a contest under former Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 21320) of Part 3 of Division 11, as that chapter read prior to its repeal by Chapter 174 of the Statutes of 2008.
(k) Determining the priority of debts under Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 11440) of Part 9 of Division 7.
(l) Any final order under Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 20100) or Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 20200) of Division 10.”
As for trusts, California Probate Code section 1304 allows an appeal from the granting, or refusal to grant, these orders:
“(a) Any final order under Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 17200) of Part 5 of Division 9, except the following:
(1) Compelling the trustee to submit an account or report acts as trustee.
(2) Accepting the resignation of the trustee.
(b) Any final order under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 19020) of Part 8 of Division 9.
(c) Any final order under Part 1 (commencing with Section 20100) and Part 2 (commencing with Section 20200 ) of Division 10.
(d) Determining whether an action constitutes a contest under former Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 21320) of Part 3 of Division 11, as that chapter read prior to its repeal by Chapter 174 of the Statutes of 2008.”
There also are specific statutes governing appeals from protective proceedings, such as guardianships and conservatorships (California Probate Code section 1301), and from cases under the Conservatorship Jurisdiction Act (California Probate Code section 1301.5), Power of Attorney Law (California Probate Code section 1302), and Health Care Decisions Law (California Probate Code section 1302.5).
Successfully appealing a probate court decision is no easy feat; therefore, any person who was previously a litigant in a probate case will benefit from the counsel of a Keystone probate appeals attorney. Our team possesses extensive litigation and appeals experience, a thorough understanding of the procedures involved in the appeals process, and an excellent track record of securing for their clients the outcomes they want in court.
In probate appeals cases, Keystone is able to assist both clients who are seeking to bring an appeal and clients who are seeking to defend an appeal. Below are some of the types of clients we represent in probate appeals matters.
Executors and administrators may have been named in a fiduciary misconduct claim or litigated on behalf of the estate they represent. Keystone can help executors and administrators bring or defend a probate appeal.
Trustees may have been involved in a fiduciary misconduct claim or litigated on behalf of the trust they manage. Keystone can help trustees bring or defend a probate appeal.
Beneficiaries may have previously litigated in a will or trust dispute, fiduciary misconduct claim, financial abuse claim, or other type of probate matter. Keystone can help beneficiaries bring or defend a probate appeal.
Surviving spouses may have been involved in a probate matter concerning community property rights. Keystone can assist spouses bring or defend a probate appeal.
Conservators may have been brought to court for a conservatorship abuse matter or litigated on behalf of the adult they were charged with protecting. Keystone can assist conservators with bringing or defending a probate appeal.
Attorneys-in-fact may have had a claim filed against them for power of attorney abuse or litigated on behalf of the principal. Keystone can help attorneys-in-fact bring or defend a probate appeal.
Creditors may have previously tried to enforce a judgment in the probate court relating to debts owed by a decedent or beneficiary. Keystone can assist creditors bring or defend a probate appeal.
Keystone is dedicated to its clients, providing each one with individualized support and guidance to help them through the appeals process. Our attorneys have the experience to vehemently fight for and defend your rights, as demonstrated by the case studies below.
Keystone is one of the largest probate litigation firms in California. Probate lawyers require specialized training and qualifications, and they must be dedicated to constantly expanding their knowledge of probate law, including the probate appeals process. Every attorney at Keystone possesses the expertise to represent you in a probate appeals case. We can help you secure the resolution you want.
We’re proud to help clients whose cases comply with California’s probate appeals requirements. We look forward to working with you.
Our attorneys focus exclusively on probate law and have extensive knowledge of the field as a result. We will utilize this knowledge to serve you in bringing or defending your probate appeals case. Members of our team have earned many accomplishments and accolades, including:
We serve all cities and counties in California, including but not limited to the following:
In this section, you can find answers to some of the questions we receive from our clients regarding probate appeals. If you have additional questions, please contact our team of probate lawyers for more assistance.
Yes, there are strict time limits for filing a probate appeal that may be as short as 60 days from when the final judgment or order is entered by the probate court. A lawyer can provide further clarification about the time limits for your specific case.
Information about the types of probate decisions that can be appealed can be found in California Probate Code sections 1300, 1303 and 1304. But remember: A decision cannot be appealed simply because you disagree with it; the probate court should have made an error that affected the outcome of the case.
Upon winning a probate appeal, the appellate court will overturn the lower court’s decision in whole or in part. At this time, the case will return to probate court to take action consistent with the appellate judgment.
Should you lose your appeal, the probate court’s final decision will remain intact. At this point, you and your probate appeals lawyer can discuss the possibility of appealing to a higher court.
The probate appeals process can be complicated. Having a knowledgeable probate appeals lawyer in your corner can be invaluable in defending or taking an appeal to court. Speak to one of our attorneys as early as today by scheduling a call for your free consultation.