If you have been disinherited and want to know why, you have the right to request and obtain a copy of the records of the estate planning attorney who prepared their will or trust under Evidence Code Section 957.  This statute gives surviving children the right to request and obtain copies of the attorney's file materials reflecting communications with a deceased parent.  The records must be made available for inspection and copying upon a written request.   In order to speed up compliance, include a copy of a death certificate and your own birth certificate.  State in the request that you are the son or daughter of the decedent and cite Evidence Code Section 957.  If the attorney refuses to comply, you can make a complaint with the State Bar of California.

If you have questions about being disinherited, please feel free to give us a call at 1-800-306-6010 or contact us online.