Schuyler V.V. Hoffman
Schuyler V.V. Hoffman
Shareholder
Residential Real Estate, Civil Litigation, Business Consulting
Probate Attorneys
When Probate Disputes Threaten What Matters Most
Probate often comes at the worst possible time—when you’re grieving, negotiating complex family dynamics, and facing legal and financial obligations all at once. Disputes over wills or assets can strain relationships and drag the process out for months or even years.
Hoffman | Forde’s probate attorneys provide the clarity and strategy you need to ensure debts are settled, assets are distributed properly, and conflicts are resolved before they escalate.
Understanding the Probate Process
Probate is the court process for validating a will, valuing an estate, paying debts, and distributing assets to beneficiaries. If there is no will, the same process applies under state law.
While probate can help settle disputes, it more often brings stress, added costs, and long delays. This is why families turn to Hoffman | Forde.
We keep your case moving forward and reduce unnecessary conflict in disputes such as:
Will contests and questions of validity
Allegations of undue influence or lack of capacity
Executor misconduct or breach of fiduciary duty
Creditor claims against the estate
Conflicts among heirs or beneficiaries
Our probate attorneys combine legal skill with practical judgment to resolve disputes efficiently and protect your family’s interests. We work to reduce conflict, preserve relationships where possible, and move cases toward resolutions that allow you to focus on what matters most.
Why Families Trust Hoffman | Forde
Probate disputes demand more than legal expertise—they require empathy, clear communication, and sound judgment in moments of conflict. Our attorneys combine practical strategy with experience to protect your assets and relationships. With a background in estate planning, litigation, and real estate, we provide the perspective needed to resolve probate matters efficiently and with lasting results.
The Team Behind the Results
Our attorneys are trusted with complex matters because they bring more than credentials: they bring results. Litigators, dealmakers, and planners who have spent their careers in Southern California courtrooms, escrow offices, and boardrooms, and who put all of it to work for you.
Daniel R. Forde
Daniel R. Forde
Shareholder
Civil Litigation, Commercial Real Estate, Residential Real Estate, Business Consulting, …See More
Angela Elpers Barnes
Angela Elpers Barnes
Managing Attorney
Residential Real Estate, Civil Litigation
Jason Santana
Jason Santana
Of-Counsel
Business Consulting, Real Estate Litigation
Amanda Allen
Amanda Allen
Senior Associate
Business, Real Estate, Civil Litigation
Dalia Astalos
Dalia Astalos
Senior Associate
Landlord-Tenant Law, Commercial Real Estate, Civil Litigation, Trust & Estates Litigation, …See More
Nicole Baldwin
Nicole Baldwin
Senior Counsel
Advice & Counsel, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Background Check & FCRA Litigation, Class Actions, …See More
Alison Barry
Alison Barry
Senior Counsel
Residential Real Estate, Civil Litigation
Victoria Boynton
Victoria Boynton
Senior Counsel
Residential Real Estate, Commercial Real Estate, Transactional and Litigation, Business Advisement
Jim Buche
Jim Buche
Of-Counsel
Residential Real Estate, Civil Litigation
Michael Dicks
Michael Dicks
Senior Trial Attorney
Civil Litigation, Residential Real Estate, Commercial Real Estate, Personal Injury
Jacqueline DiRubbo
Jacqueline DiRubbo
Senior Associate
Commercial Real Estate, Residential Real Estate
Christina Elhaddad
Christina Elhaddad
Senior Associate
Civil Litigation, Residential Real Estate, Commercial Real Estate, Immigration Law
Alanna Haefner
Alanna Haefner
Senior Associate
Civil Litigation, Residential Real Estate , Commercial Real Estate, Tax Advisory
Mia Kelly
Mia Kelly
Senior Counsel
Real Estate Litigation, General Civil Litigation, Personal Injury, Employment Law, …See More
Nicholas Kritikos
Nicholas Kritikos
Of-Counsel
Civil Litigation, Residential Real Estate, Commercial Real Estate, Business Consulting, …See More
Alyssa Kucera
Alyssa Kucera
Associate
Matt LeFevre
Matt LeFevre
Associate
Real Estate Law, Civil Litigation, Boundary Disputes, Business Consulting
Byron Ma
Byron Ma
Of-Counsel
Civil Litigation, Business Transactions, Intellectual Property Law
Ian McKinley
Ian McKinley
Senior Associate
Eminent Domain/Inverse Condemnation, Business Torts, Boundary Disputes, Shareholder & Member Derivative Litigation, …See More
Michael Palmer
Michael Palmer
Senior Associate
Civil Litigation, Commerical Real Estate, Corporate Formation
Bryan Rayo
Bryan Rayo
Associate
Real Estate Law, Commerical Real Estate, Landlord-Tenant Law
Adam Reifman
Adam Reifman
Senior Associate
Residential Real Estate, Commercial Real Estate, Corporate Law — Entity Formation & Planning, Easement & Land Use, …See More
Vincent Renda
Vincent Renda
Of Counsel
Bankruptcy Law, Real Estate Law, Business Consulting, Civil Litigation
Vincent Russo
Vincent Russo
Senior Counsel
Trust & Probate Litigation, Business Law, Real Estate Law
William H. Sauls
William H. Sauls
Of-Counsel
Estate Planning, Tax Advisory, Business Consulting
Stefan Seper
Stefan Seper
Associate
Civil Litigation, Landlord-Tenant Law , Commercial Real Estate, Habitability Issues, …See More
David Silldorf
David Silldorf
Of-Counsel
Criminal Defense
Michael Stuart
Michael Stuart
Of-Counsel
Criminal Defense, Restraining Orders, Civil Litigation, Administrative Law
Legal Support Team
Our dedicated paralegals are the behind-the-scenes experts who ensure our firm runs smoothly. They play a critical role in our client-focused approach, enabling our attorneys to deliver the highest quality service with precision and care.
Mariam Alnajjar
Mariam Alnajjar
Legal Assistant
Kathy Davalos
Kathy Davalos
Paralegal
Ragan Fowzer
Ragan Fowzer
Post-Bar Law Clerk
Liana M. Jackson
Liana M. Jackson
Paralegal
Lily Korpman
Lily Korpman
Senior Paralegal
Jacinda Maheras
Jacinda Maheras
Paralegal
Elena McKinley
Elena McKinley
Paralegal
Magdalena Valdez
Magdalena Valdez
Paralegal
Heidy Vera
Heidy Vera
Legal Assistant
What Our
Clients Say
* Reviews and testimonials reflect the experiences of individual clients. Past results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in your matter.
Our Philosophy
Positive outcomes start with clear communication, practical solutions, and follow-through. That’s our philosophy—and what we deliver to every client who entrusts us with protecting what matters most.
Proudly Serving San Diego &
the North Coast
From Bankers Hill to La Jolla, Hoffman | Forde represents clients across Southern California with clear counsel, strategic insight, and results that hold up under pressure.