Trust and estate disputes do not always end when the trial court issues its decision. In many cases, that decision is only one chapter in a longer process—one that requires a different mindset, a different skill set, and a highly disciplined approach to the law.
At Stokes Lawrence, our Trust & Estate Appellate Litigation team focuses on guiding clients and counsel through that next chapter. Our practice sits at the intersection of two complex legal arenas: trust & estate litigation and appellate procedure. Each has its own intricate rules and nuances. Our team is built around that dual experience, allowing us to navigate both systems seamlessly and to translate trial-level outcomes into effective appellate strategy.
Clients and referring counsel engage our team at a range of critical moments—before a case is filed, during active trust and estate litigation, or after a significant ruling by the trial court. Because appellate opportunities are often defined early, our involvement can begin well before a notice of appeal is filed, helping ensure that the record, rulings, and arguments are positioned for meaningful review.
Our approach is grounded in careful analysis, candid advice, and a clear understanding of how appellate courts operate. We work with clients to assess not only the legal merits of an appeal, but also the practical considerations, including timing, cost, and likelihood of success. That often means having difficult but necessary conversations about what an appeal can realistically achieve and where the strongest arguments lie. In a context where legal issues and personal circumstances are closely intertwined, we bring both disciplined advocacy and a measured, strategic perspective to every case.
What We Do
We represent clients at all stages of the appellate process, including:
- Evaluating whether an order is appealable
- Advising on discretionary review and interlocutory appeals
- Preserving issues for appeal during trial-level proceedings
- Drafting appellate briefs and handling oral argument
- Defending judgments on appeal
- Representing interested parties whose rights may be affected
- Consulting with trial counsel throughout litigation
We routinely serve as dedicated appellate counsel or as strategic partners alongside trial teams.
Types of Cases We Handle
Appeals in this area arise from a wide range of disputes under the Trust and Estate Dispute Resolution Act (TEDRA) and related proceedings. Common issues include:
- Will contests
- Trust and will interpretation
- Undue influence, fraud, and lack of capacity claims
- Financial exploitation and vulnerable adult disputes
- Community property and inheritance rights
- Disputes involving spouses in pending divorce at time of death
- Committed intimate relationship claims
- Creditor claims and fee disputes
- Fiduciary disputes involving trustees or personal representatives
- Accountings and requests for information
- Standing to bring or defend claims
- Damages and remedies under statutory frameworks
- Powers of appointment and trust administration issues
Many appeals also involve nuanced procedural questions—what orders are appealable, when deadlines run, and how issues must be preserved for review.
