Craig M. Parker

Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law

Partner

Craig M. Parker is highly skilled in the areas of trust disputes, trust administration, and probate litigation, contributing a rich background of knowledge and experience to Hess-Verdon & Associates.

His academic contributions as an Adjunct Professor at the University of California Riverside highlight his commitment to educating the next generation of legal professionals. Craig holds a Juris Doctor from California Western School of Law and is recognized for his ability to clarify complex legal processes and achieve favorable outcomes in high-stakes environments. His active participation in professional and community organizations further exemplifies his dedication to legal excellence and community service.

His expertise encompasses:

• Over 25 Years of experience in Trusts and Estates.
• Expertise in all aspects of trust and estate administration across major Southern California counties.
• Developed high-performing teams of legal professionals managing extensive caseloads.
• Provided strategic legal advice to significant public offices such as the San Bernardino Public Administrator’s Office.
• Drafted hundreds of key legal documents including Petitions for Probate and Will and Trust Contests.
• Conducted numerous depositions and written discovery processes.
• Recognized for explaining complex legal processes clearly to clients.

Trustee Representation

• Expertise in managing complex probate cases and estate administration.
• Skilled in navigating conservatorship disputes and trust litigation.
• Accounting and General Trust Administration
• Modification and Termination of Trusts
• Co-Trustee Disputes and Resolution
• Trust Dispute Litigation
• Theft from an Estate
• Misappropriation of Trust funds
• Acquisition, Preservation of Distribution of Trust Assets
• Validation of Trust and Trust-related documents

Beneficiary Representation

• Provides strategic legal advice and representation in trust and probate matters.
• Focus on achieving cost-effective solutions tailored to client needs.
• Assisting beneficiaries in ensuring trust distributions.
• Defending beneficiaries against claims of undue influence and elder abuse.
• Removal and Surcharge of Trustees
• Failing to account to Beneficiary
• Changes to trust prior to death
• Failing to make required distributions

Conservatorship Representation

• Appointed by Probate Judges as Guardian Ad Litem or Court Appointed Counsel for minors and adults lacking capacity.
• Represents clients in conservatorship cases, ensuring protection and proper management of their interests.

Education

• Juris Doctor from California Western School of Law.
• Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Brigham Young University.

Professional Memberships and Certifications

• Member of the State Bar of California.
• Active member of the San Bernardino County Bar Association, Probate Section.

Teaching

• Adjunct Professor at the University of California Riverside, teaching Trust Administration, Probate Administration, Estate Planning, and Conservatorship Administration.

Languages

• Fluent in Spanish.