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Wanger Jones Helsley PC

Estate Planning and Probate Litigation

Estate, trust, and succession planning, plus probate and trust litigation, for individuals, families, and business owners across California.

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What We Do

Estate Planning and Probate Litigation Services

01

Estate & Trust Planning

Wills, trusts, and estate plans designed to transfer wealth and protect families and beneficiaries.

02

Business Succession Planning

Succession and ownership-transition planning for family-owned and closely held businesses, coordinated with the corporate practice.

03

Trust & Estate Administration

Counsel to trustees, executors, and administrators in administering trusts and estates.

04

Probate

Representation in probate proceedings, including administration and related court matters.

05

Probate & Trust Litigation

Litigation of will and trust contests, fiduciary disputes, and beneficiary claims.

06

Tax & Wealth Planning

Estate and gift tax planning, coordinated with the firm's tax and corporate counsel.

Overview

How We Serve Our Clients

Wanger Jones Helsley helps individuals, families, and business owners plan the transfer of wealth and the succession of their businesses. The practice combines estate and trust planning with the firm's corporate and tax capabilities, which is particularly valuable for the family-owned enterprises common in the Central Valley.

The firm prepares wills, trusts, and estate plans, advises trustees and executors on administration, and handles probate proceedings. For business owners, it coordinates estate planning with succession planning so ownership transitions are addressed alongside personal estate goals, drawing on the firm's corporate and tax capabilities for an integrated plan.

When estates and trusts are disputed, the firm draws on its litigation depth to handle will and trust contests, fiduciary disputes, and beneficiary claims. Clients benefit from a practice that can both build a plan and defend it if it is later challenged.

Our Approach

What to Expect from WJH

— 01

Planning to Litigation

The firm both designs estate and trust plans and litigates contests and fiduciary disputes when plans are challenged, within one firm.

— 02

Business-Owner Focused

Estate planning is coordinated with business succession and the corporate practice, fitting the family-owned enterprises common in the region.

— 03

Coordinated Tax Counsel

Estate and gift tax planning is integrated with the firm's tax and corporate capabilities for cohesive wealth planning.

The Team

Attorneys in this Practice

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Deborah K. Boyett, Shareholder, Wanger Jones Helsley PC
Deborah K. Boyett
Shareholder
Fresno
Jay A. Christofferson, Shareholder, Wanger Jones Helsley PC
Jay A. Christofferson
Shareholder
Fresno
Jeffrey B. Pape, Of Counsel, Wanger Jones Helsley PC
Jeffrey B. Pape
Of Counsel
Fresno
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Wanger Jones Helsley handle in estate planning and probate?
Wanger Jones Helsley handles estate and trust planning, business succession planning, trust and estate administration, probate proceedings, and probate and trust litigation, including will and trust contests and fiduciary disputes. The firm serves individuals, families, business owners, and fiduciaries in California, combining planning with the capability to defend plans if challenged.
Does WJH handle business succession planning?
Yes. The firm coordinates estate planning with business succession planning, drawing on its corporate practice to address ownership transitions for family-owned and closely held businesses alongside the owner's personal estate goals. This integrated approach fits the family enterprises common in the Central Valley, where business and estate planning are closely linked.
Can WJH litigate trust and estate disputes?
Yes. The firm litigates will and trust contests, fiduciary disputes, and beneficiary claims, drawing on its established litigation practice. Clients benefit from a firm that can both build an estate plan and defend it if it is later challenged in court.
Who does WJH represent in estate and probate matters?
The firm represents individuals, families, business owners, and fiduciaries such as trustees, executors, and administrators. Its combined planning and litigation capability serves clients building estate plans and those involved in administering or disputing trusts and estates, so a single firm can both create a plan and defend it later.
Where does WJH handle estate planning and probate matters?
The firm's estate planning and probate attorneys work from the Fresno office and serve clients throughout the Central Valley and across California. They handle planning, trust and estate administration, probate proceedings, and trust and estate litigation, coordinating with the firm's corporate and tax capabilities for business-owner clients.
Who at WJH handles estate planning and probate matters in Fresno?
Wanger Jones Helsley's estate planning and probate work is handled from the Fresno office by attorneys including Deborah Boyett, Jay Christofferson, and Jeffrey Pape. The firm coordinates estate work with its corporate and tax capabilities, particularly for business owners planning succession alongside personal estate goals.
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