Kent Kristof

Biography

Practice Areas

Representative Cases

• Pursued heirs’ claims against law firm who represented the former Administrator after she looted all of the estate’s property. Litigation spanned several California counties, included cooperation with law enforcement, and spread to include national financial institutions as respondents. After lengthy litigation and close examination of reams of financial documents, the heirs’ inheritances were satisfied. (Estate of Ballard), 2021
• Secured client’s inheritance against litigation initiated by one of the largest firms in the world. This litigation included a unique set of pretrial motions and a range of unusual legal questions. (Oestreich, 2023), 2023
• Represented children against their father’s abuser in efforts to protect their inheritance, while striving to recover real estate and multiple vehicles. After acrimonious litigation spanning several cases, with combined claimes reaching $9 million, represented children in a successful mediation. (Diaz cases) 2022.
• Pursued heirs’ claims against law firm who represented the estate’s former Administrator after she looted all of the estate’s property.  Litigation spanned several California counties, included cooperation with law enforcement, and spread to include national financial institutions as respondents.  After lengthy litigation and close examination of reams of financial documents, the heirs’ inheritances were satisfied. (Estate of Ballard), 2021
• Defended former Court Appointed Counsel in vitriolic litigation. Took through trial and was granted extraordinary sanctions which were published statewide.  On appeal from the sanctions motion, the logic of the sanctions motion was unanimously approved.” (Guerra/Alvarado), 2020
• Protected client’s and estate’s interests during hotly contested litigation involving overlapping assertions of elder abuse, contractual disputes, and significant tax implications.  Secured inheritance of controlling interest in family business, valued between $2,550,000 and $4,000,000. (Falkenborg 2001 Trust), 2019
• Engaged in multi-faceted litigation to protect widow from aggressive step-sons.  For the widow, recovered valuable real property, and monies for legal fees, from the aggressors. (Barrett matters), 2016
• Defended Trustee/beneficiary in litigation, spanning multiple cases, with significant international components.  Favorably resolved with client retaining income producing properties and other assets totaling several million dollars. (Zubillaga matters), 2017
• Intervened, on behalf of clients, in probate that had languished for some 20 years. Engaged in speedy and efficient litigation on multiple fronts. Obtained beneficial recovery to clients while maximizing value of estate. Total recovered for clients approximately $1,040,000.  (Strauss matters), 2015
• Pursued heinous elder abuse action on behalf of elder. In addition to other recovery, obtained Elder Abuse Restraining Orders, with “move-out” Orders. Total recovery exceeded $613,500. Collaborated with Los Angeles County District Attorney in obtaining a felony conviction against abuser. Conservatorship of Olson and related matters), 2012
• Prosecuted and defended against multiple legal actions, in three counties within California, between clients and their opponent. Total recovery of $750,000 to clients. (Estate of Knuth and related matters), 2009

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