Lynda I. Chung, a litigation partner with Valensi Rose, spoke to the Trust & Estates Section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association on Nov. 5, 2021, about Handling Decedent Estates and Trusts with Community Property or Debt Issues.

More than 150 trust and estate attorneys attended the program, which focused on intra-family conflicts and decedent’s debts they may have to deal with on behalf of their clients.

Following a spouse's death, the surviving spouse and heirs are often left with the decedent's debts. In some estates, the surviving spouse may assert claims against his or her decedent spouse.

Lynda discussed how California community property law affects creditors' claims against the decedent's estate or trust, and the exposure of the surviving spouse and heirs to the decedent's debts.

The program also reviewed potential community property disputes which can arise between the surviving spouse and the decedent's spouse's estate and practical tips to handle such disputes.

In addition, Lynda offered practical tips from her experience in enforcing creditors' claims in both civil and probate courts over two decades.

A member of our Litigation Group, Lynda specializes in probate and business litigation matters, including will contests, trust contests, financial elder abuse, fiduciary accounting, real property and construction contract disputes, creditor's rights, fraudulent transfers, and disputes between shareholders or members of closely-held companies.