Comprehensive Legal Services for Nursing Home Abuse
At Keehn Law, we are committed to helping you fight for your rights. Our diverse range of services ensures that we can meet all your legal needs effectively. We are dedicated to aggressively representing individuals and families affected by nursing home abuse, elder abuse, and related legal issues.
Nursing Home Abuse
Every elderly person in a nursing home or assisted living facility has the right to feel safe, respected, and properly cared for. Sadly, this is not always the reality.
The Importance of Acting Quickly
If you or a loved one suspect abuse or neglect in a care facility, it's critical to take immediate action. Vulnerable individuals, particularly those with dementia or disabilities, are often the targets of mistreatment.
Understanding Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse is illegal and takes many forms, from neglect to severe physical harm. The National Center on Elder Abuse reports that seniors who suffer abuse are at a 300% higher risk of death compared to those who do not experience abuse.
Abuse Comes in Many Forms
Physical Abuse and Neglect
Emotional and Behavioral Signs
Wrongful Death in Care Facilities
If your loved one died suddenly or under suspicious circumstances in a nursing home or residential facility and you suspect neglect or abuse played a role, you may be entitled to pursue compensation. At Keehn Law, we’re here to support you through the legal process. Holding facilities accountable not only brings justice—it helps prevent the same tragedy from happening to someone else.
Know the Signs, Take Action
When visiting loved ones in care:
Watch for these warning signs:
Your Role Matters
Many victims of elder abuse are unable—or afraid—to speak up. Often, family members and friends are the first to notice the signs. If you have concerns, report them to the appropriate authorities right away.
Elder Abuse
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, around 10% of older Americans suffer abuse each year. Many endure this mistreatment in settings meant to provide safe, compassionate care—like nursing homes, assisted living, and private homes. Sadly, when caregivers fail, the consequences can be devastating.
Advocates for the Elderly
At Keehn Law, we’ve spent over 20 years fighting for victims and their families. We pursue justice against those responsible—whether individuals or institutions.
We handle cases involving
Nursing Home Abuse
A significant number of complaints in California involve abuse or gross neglect in skilled nursing facilities. We work to hold them accountable.
Assisted Living Abuse
These facilities, while less medical in nature, can still be the site of serious harm—physical, emotional, financial, or even sexual.
Home Health Abuse
Home care should provide safety and independence. Yet, many seniors suffer quietly—especially those with dementia or those afraid of being sent to a facility.
Residential Care Facility Abuse (RCFE)
Ranging from memory care to retirement communities, RCFEs are not exempt from neglect or mistreatment. We represent clients across these settings.
Recognizing the Signs
Abuse can be physical, emotional, sexual, or financial. Neglect may be intentional or due to poor training and staff shortages. Watch for:
Financial Abuse Matters, Too
California law defines financial elder abuse as the wrongful taking or misuse of an elder’s property. This includes deception, coercion, or outright theft. We help families recover stolen assets and pursue legal remedies.
Your Rights, Our Fight
We pursue maximum compensation—medical costs, therapy, equipment, emotional damages, and legal fees. If you suspect elder abuse, we’re here to help. To win a case, we must show:
Estate Litigation
If you’re a trustee, executor, or beneficiary, estate law can be full of confusing terms. Here are a few key definitions from California’s Probate Code you might encounter:
Our Estate Litigation Services
We frequently help clients contest wills and trusts. Timing is crucial—challenges must be filed within 120 days of receiving notice. That window may extend 60 more days if you request a copy of the trust after notice.
Common reasons to contest include:
Whether you're protecting your inheritance or defending your actions as a trustee, we’re here to help.
We Also Handle
Trust Litigation
To grasp trust litigation, it helps to first know what forms a trust. Under California law, a valid trust must meet these conditions:
Our Carlsbad Trust Litigation Services
Trust disputes can be filed by either trustees or beneficiaries. While some trusts include an ADR (alternative dispute resolution) clause, it’s not always enforceable. Most disputes eventually end up in court.
At Keehn Estate and Elder Law, we’re focused on estate and elder law with a strong record in trust-related cases. Here’s how we help:
Common Trust Litigation Issues We Handle
Why Our Clients Choose Us
People across the region trust Keehn Estate and Elder Law because we are:
Heggstad Petitions
Under California law, even if an asset wasn’t formally transferred into a trust, it may still be added without going through probate. This is done through a Heggstad Petition, named after Halvard Heggstad, whose family successfully petitioned the court to include property in his trust based on his documented intent.
Who Can File and What’s Required
A Heggstad Petition (filed under California Probate Code §850) can be filed by anyone with a legal interest in the estate. To be approved, it must include:
Valid grounds for filing include
As your legal team, we handle everything—from preparing the petition to court representation.
When You Should File
File as soon as the issue is discovered. California law requires a 30-day notice to all affected parties. In some cases, notice must be personally delivered. Once filed, the process typically takes about 60 days.
What Property Can Be Included
If listed in the Schedule of Assets, nearly any type of property can be added to the trust, including:
Probate Litigation
Disputes can arise between an executor and beneficiaries, or among beneficiaries, during probate. These conflicts can be especially challenging and emotional after the death of a loved one. At Keehn Law, we offer expert guidance and representation to both beneficiaries and executors dealing with probate litigation.
When is Probate Litigation Needed
Probate litigation typically arises in the following situations:
California Probate Litigation Services We Offer
We strive to help you achieve a favorable outcome in your probate case. Our services include:
Appeals
To determine your best course of action, consider having an appellate lawyer review your case. Mistakes can happen in trials, and not every verdict is correct. That’s where the appellate process comes in. Mr. Spong, an experienced appellate lawyer, has filed over 100 appellate briefs and argued numerous cases in appellate courts.
The Role of an Appellate Lawyer
Whether you're looking to preserve a trial victory or reverse a decision, an appellate lawyer can offer a fresh perspective. We focus on your concerns and work diligently to advocate for you.
When to Contact Us
If you believe a judge or jury made an incorrect decision, or if someone you know has a case worth reviewing, contact Keehn Law to have your matter evaluated by an experienced appellate attorney.
Why Appeal
Appeals provide an opportunity to reassess your case and can uncover vital issues missed during the trial. Errors that can justify a reversal include:
Accepting Referrals from Fellow Attorneys
Although California has many skilled attorneys, some may not handle appellate cases. If you have a client seeking to appeal a case in California, reach out to us for a consultation. We’ll promptly evaluate the case to determine how we can assist.
Additional Legal Services
Talk to our Attorneys Today
Our specialized services are designed to provide you with the support and legal expertise needed to navigate complex legal challenges. Speak with our experts now.
