Videos
How did the pandemic affect your operations within your trust and estate litigation department?
Well, the most noticeable way it was impacted is we were forced to go to remote communication with most, if not all, of our clients during the pandemic using primarily Zoom and other related platforms.
What makes your trust and estate litigation approach different from other law firms?
The single biggest factor is our unique understanding of how to budget a case, how to prosecute a case or defend a case and get from point A to B in the shortest possible time and with the least dollar expended by the clients. 95% to 99% of cases in Hawaii are settled before trial.
What is involved in the estate planning process?
Our process begins with a call or an email to our office and you can schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys. You'll be connected with someone who will then provide you with an estate planning questionnaire to proceed with the process.
Why choose MacDonald Rudy to assist you with your estate plan?
Our boutique law firm offers very personalized service. We take the time to build a connection with our clients to learn more about who the people closest to them are, what their particular life circumstances are, and their priorities or concerns.
What kind of cases do you take?
Michael D. Rudy, a founding partner of MacDonald Rudy Law, covers the many types and sizes of cases his firm takes on beyond undue influence cases and trust and estate litigation.
How should I prepare for our first meeting?
A well-prepared client is the best type of client. Come prepared with an outline of events and documents to discuss with us so we may get the best outlook on your case.
I’ve been wrongly disinherited.
What happens when you’ve been wrongly disinherited from a will or trust? Michael Rudy, a founding partner of MacDonald Rudy Law, provides guidance over what you should do should you be in this stressful situation.
My sibling is stealing assets from our parents.
What happens when you discover your sibling or family member is stealing assets from your parents? Michael Rudy, a founding partner of MacDonald Rudy Law, explains the steps you should take when this happens.
What trust & estate issues are unique to Hawaii?
Michael D. Rudy, a founding partner at MacDonald Rudy, tells us about the trust and estate issues unique to the state of Hawaii.
The difference between influence and undue influence.
Michael D. Rudy, a founding partner of MacDonald Rudy, explains the difference between influence and when it becomes undue.
Do I have a case?
Many cases we have handled have come from an omission or act that had occurred many years prior. Once you discover the facts about what has gone down, you should seek legal advice immediately. You should not self-diagnose what you think may be the outcome of your case. It must be carefully and professionally evaluated before you should dismiss entirely.
Would you take my case if I can’t pay?
Trust litigation cases are not only a huge investment of money but of time. These types of cases are often proved by circumstantial evidence and take a lot of time to build with large amounts of evidence and data collection.
How long will it take to resolve my case?
Litigation is inherently unpredictable. There is a set of procedures that a case must undergo and must be abided by both attorneys and their clients. Michael Rudy discusses what a client may expect when it comes to the length of the resolution process.
Will mediation solve my case?
Approximately 98% of all civil litigation cases are settled before trial and mediation or alternative dispute resolution often comes up as a method to swiftly correct what has gone wrong, but it is only as effective as the case you have built against the perpetrator.
Should I team up with my siblings to litigate a case?
Is teaming up with your siblings the best option for you and your case? Well it depends on a multitude of factors. Michael Rudy, a founding partner of MacDonald Rudy Law, explains what happens when you do so and how to go about doing it properly to ensure all parties are treated fairly.
If a will or trust is deemed invalid, what happens?
Michael Rudy, a founding partner of MacDonald Rudy, explains what happens when will or trust is deemed invalid.
I was orally promised an asset, but not in writing.
What happens if you’re promised assets or were expressed the intent of having assets left to you, but it wasn’t formally communicated in writing? Michael Rudy, a founding partner of MacDonald Rudy, tells us what the law constitutes in the state of Hawaii with regards to assets being distributed via a trust or will.
My parent’s assets ended up in my new step-parent’s name, what do I do?
Michael Rudy, a founding partner of MacDonald Rudy, describes the so-called second marriage syndrome that happens when a parent marries a new, younger spouse and how they affect a will or trust situation.
What happens if there is a sudden change to a will or trust?
Mom or Dad is starting to lose capacity and they’ve just signed a new will that doesn’t benefit the children in the same way, what can you do? Michael Rudy, a founding partner of MacDonald Rudy, explains what you can do in case this happens due to undue influence upon your parent(s).
My brother and sister listed themselves on our parent’s life insurance policy.
One of the more common areas we litigate deals with the ownership and entitlement of beneficiaries to financial accounts, retirement nest eggs, life insurance proceeds, joint bank accounts and more. Michael D. Rudy explains what goes on when he and his team encounter disputes of this nature.
What is elder financial abuse?
Elder financial abuse is on the rise. It covers common trust and will contests, fraud, embezzlement, misuse of bank accounts, fraudulent use of credit cards, mortgages on properties, and more. Many instances go unnoticed and therefore go unreported.
Why did you get into trust and estate litigation?
Michael D. Rudy, a founding partner of MacDonald Rudy Law, tells us how and why his perpetual curiosity in human psychology continues to fuel his interest and 30+ year career in trust and estate litigation.
Trust & Estate Litigation Attorney in Honolulu, Hawaii
Michael D. Rudy, a founding partner of MacDonald Rudy Law, tells us more about his background in trust and estate litigation along with information about MacDonald Rudy Law Firm in Hawaii.
Why choose MacDonald Rudy?
We have a unique amount of experience and resources when it comes to cases of elderly financial abuse and trust and estate litigation.
Phone Consultation
with Michael D. Rudy*
Please prepare the following for your phone consultation:
- Timeline of your case
- Synopsis of facts
- Supporting documentation
- List of names of key participants.
MICHAEL D. RUDY
Founding Partner
MICHAEL D. RUDY is a founding partner of MacDonald Rudy O’Neill & Yamauchi, a Limited Liability Law Partnership, LLP. Mr. Rudy founded the firm in 1992 and has concentrated his practice over the last two decades in the area of trust and estate litigation in both state and federal courts. Mr. Rudy has litigated extremely large trust and estate litigation contests as well as more modest size disputes throughout the State of Hawaii. Mr. Rudy’s practice is focused on wills, estates and trust litigation, business transactions and formations, contested guardianships and conservatorships, simple and complex probate, business and real property disputes.
*FLAT FEE FOR INITIAL REVIEW AND EVALUATION OF CASE
