Thomas C. Aikin is a partner in the Trusts and Estates Department. His practice is focused on representing both fiduciaries and beneficiaries of trusts and estates in administration as well as contested matters.
Emphasis on charities, universities, and non-profits
Mr. Aikin places a particular emphasis on representing charities, universities, and other non-profit organizations. He has successfully represented clients through trial as well as subsequent appeals. Mr. Aikin’s expertise in trust and estate litigation includes contests (lack of capacity and undue influence), accountings, and the interpretation of estate planning instruments. In one matter, he defeated an attempt to have a document interpreted as an amendment to a trust, which would eliminate his clients, several charitable organizations, as beneficiaries of a large estate. Mr. Aikin is experienced in all phases of probate and trust administration including inventories, accounting, closing, and the judicial interpretation and modification of trusts, and in all phases of civil litigation, including jury trials and arbitration.
Honors
From 2020-2023, Mr. Aikin has been named to the Southern California Super Lawyers list by Super Lawyers Magazine, and included in the Southern California Rising Stars list from 2014 to 2018, an honor earned by only 2.5% of attorneys under the age of 40.
He has been recognized in the 2019-2023 editions of Best Lawyers in America® in the field of Litigation-Trust and Estates.
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