033: California Will Contests with Kevin Snyder

Will contests can turn an already emotional probate matter into full-blown litigation. In this episode, Sam sits down with Kevin Snyder of Snyder Law PC to unpack what really happens when someone challenges a will in California. They talk about why seemingly "equal" distributions still spark disputes, how dueling wills arise, and what attorneys need to know about procedural traps, notice requirements, and strict 120-day deadlines. Kevin walks through the burden of proof, common mistakes lawyers make, and why will contests demand technical precision from day one. If you've ever wondered who has to prove what, when a will can be attacked, or how to protect yourself from malpractice exposure in these cases, this conversation is for you. Keep your filings clean and your strategy sharper than the objections. In this episode, you will hear: Why "equal" distributions still lead to will contests Common grounds for challenging a will in California Dueling wills and what happens when multiple versions surface Holographic wills and execution requirements Strict procedural rules and 120-day contest deadlines Burden of proof in probate litigation Resources from this Episode Website: https://www.snyderlawpc.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/attorneykevinsnyder/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SnyderLawPC/ The 6-Stage Probate Process: How to Navigate California Probate: https://a.co/d/82310Rw  Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.