Led by Pete Nolan, our firm recently secured a decisive courtroom victory for the administrator of an estate involving a high-value residential property that had been unlawfully occupied.
What began as a probate matter evolved into a complex, multi-layered dispute. After the decedent’s passing, individuals remained in the property without legal authority. The estate faced prolonged objections during probate proceedings, delays in confirming the rightful executor, and continued resistance from occupants who employed multiple procedural tactics to postpone removal.
Once the administrator was formally appointed, our team moved forward with an unlawful detainer action. The occupants demanded a jury trial and repeatedly sought continuances to extend the process.
When trial proceedings began, the defendants failed to appear on time. The Court struck their answers and allowed the estate to proceed by default. Judgment was entered in favor of our client within 30 minutes, avoiding a multi-day jury trial and significant additional expense to the estate.
As a result:
- The estate obtained judgment for possession
- A writ was issued restoring control of the property
- The estate avoided further litigation costs and delay
While unlawful detainer matters are not a core focus of our practice, we stepped in because we were already representing the estate. Our litigation team worked closely with probate counsel to protect the client’s interests and preserve a significant estate asset.
This outcome reflects what we aim to deliver in every matter: strategic execution, courtroom readiness, and practical results that protect our clients’ interests when obstacles arise.