The past year has brought some of the most consequential legal developments California professional fiduciaries have seen in a decade. Appellate courts issued decisions reshaping fiduciary duties, conservatorship authority, standing in probate litigation, trust reformation, elder abuse remedies, and real-property disputes. At the same time, new legislation and updated Rules of Court have altered procedural requirements and compliance standards across probate, trust, and conservatorship practice. This session distills all of these changes into a practical, accessible roadmap designed specifically for professional fiduciaries. We will explain what the courts decided, what the Legislature changed, and – most importantly – how these developments affect the way you administer trusts and estates, manage conservatorships, protect vulnerable clients, and minimize liability in 2025 and beyond.
F6 – 2026 Annual Fiduciary Legal Update: Cases, Codes, and Court Rules that Matter
Speakers
Daniel Kim
DK Trust Law PC
Daniel Kim is the founding partner of DK Trust Law PC, where he brings top-tier trust and estate litigation experience to hold trustees and fiduciaries accountable and to defend clients navigating complex contested matters. Drawing on his prior tenure as an equity partner at a prominent California law firm, he now leads a boutique practice that blends sophisticated legal strategy with highly personal service. His practice spans breach of fiduciary duty claims, elder-financial abuse litigation, trust and will contests, contested conservatorships, real-property and accounting disputes, and proactive fiduciary-advisory work. Daniel is recognized as a leader in his field— including listings in Northern California Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America—and serves on the Executive Committee of the California Lawyers Association Trusts & Estates Section and the Judicial Council’s Probate & Mental Health Advisory Committee.
Ben Schwefel
Murtaugh LLP
Ben Schwefel is a partner at Murtaugh LLP and a certified specialist in Estate Planning, Trusts & Probate Law. His practice focuses on a full spectrum of fiduciary-related services—estate planning, trust administration, probate proceedings, and fiduciary litigation—serving high-net worth individuals, business owners, professional fiduciaries, beneficiaries, and trustees. Ben also guides clients on forming and operating LLCs, family limited partnerships, private foundations, and public charities. He is active in professional leadership, serving on the Executive Committee of TEXCOM (the Trusts & Estates Section of the California Lawyers Association) and has served as Education Chair of the New Lawyers Section.