Trusts & Estates

Wright, Finlay & Zak brings both experience and compassion to every trust and estate matter. Led by Mary Finlay, an Orange County estate planning, probate, and trust attorney with more than twenty years of experience, the WFZ Trusts & Estates Practice Group delivers bespoke, cost-effective counsel in all aspects of California estate planning and estate administration.

Before joining WFZ, Mary founded Finlay Law Group, APC, where she built a highly respected trusts and estates firm in Newport Beach, California. Mary has helped clients of all types navigate trusts and estates issues, ranging from straightforward planning to highly complex litigation. No matter the issue, Mary has remained committed to one guiding principle: placing the client’s needs first.

After nearly a decade of serving families throughout Southern California, Mary welcomed her son, Charley Kausen, into the practice. Charley graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of San Diego School of Law, concentrating in estate planning and taxation. He earned CALI Excellence Awards for the highest grades in Trusts & Estates, Estate Planning Seminar, Federal Income Taxation, Corporations, Community Property Law, and three additional subjects.

Today, Mary and Charley lead the Trusts & Estates Practice Group at Wright, Finlay & Zak, assisting individuals, families, fiduciaries, and beneficiaries in the following areas:

Estate Planning

We design comprehensive estate plans tailored to each client’s family structure, financial profile, and long-term objectives. Our services include revocable and irrevocable trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and advanced planning strategies to protect assets and minimize future conflict.

Trust Administration

We guide successor trustees through every stage of administration, ensuring compliance with California Probate Code requirements while reducing the risk of personal liability. From asset marshaling and notice requirements to accountings and distributions, we provide steady, practical counsel at each step.

Probate

Our team represents executors and administrators in court-supervised probate proceedings throughout California. We manage petitions, creditor claims, real property sales, and final distributions with a focus on efficiency and fiduciary protection.

Non-Probate Transfers

We assist clients with the strategic use and administration of non-probate mechanisms, including Heggstad Petitions, Petitions to Determine Succession to Primary Residence, Spousal Property Petitions, and Affidavit Transfers. Our team has the know how to save you time, energy, and money by avoiding probate, even if planning was not perfect.

Trust Disputes and Will Contests

When conflict arises, we represent trustees, beneficiaries, and interested parties in contested matters involving undue influence, lack of capacity, breach of fiduciary duty, and interpretation disputes. Our approach combines technical probate expertise with practical litigation strategy aimed at achieving decisive, cost-effective resolution.

At Wright, Finlay & Zak, our Trusts & Estates Practice Group continues the mission first established at Finlay Law Group: to make what are often life’s most stressful moments less overwhelming through caring, individualized, and responsive legal service.