Peter M. Bochnewich is a litigator and civil trial attorney with a highly regarded focus on trust and estate litigation. Peter represents clients in all manner of trust and estate disputes, and is frequently in court and in trial on numerous trust and estate matters each year. The disputes involve a variety of issues, including will contests, trust contests, lack of capacity claims, undue influence claims, breach of fiduciary claims, trust and estate accounting disputes, conservatorship disputes, elder abuse litigation and more. Peter is always available to explain the nuances of every case as it develops, and to plan the progress of a case so that the client may fully have their day in court in a cost effective way.
Peter Bochnewich is honored to be regarded as the "go to" attorney for trust and estate litigation for many of southern California's finest estate planning and trust administration attorneys, whose reputation has grown with a consistent history of very good results and satisfied clients, over many years. Peter makes it a primary point of his practice to treat all such referrals and referring attorneys with the greatest respect. He is well known for providing ample initial consultations at no charge to the client. Peter frequently works hard with referring attorneys and clients in a collaborative way that often eliminates or mitigates the need of the client going to court. Peter is also an Approved Mediator for Riverside County Superior Court.
Where court action is necessary, the decisions are focused and precise, and the client's interest are paramount. Clients participate with Peter in the development of their cases, so they are continuously well informed, knowledgeable, and prepared. Clients will receive vigorous and zealous advocacy in the courtroom and wise and sound counsel in private. Peter is very well known as someone who litigates in a wise way and is ever mindful of his clients. Peter has represented clients throughout the Inland Empire and Southern California, and occasionally in other jurisdictions.
Peter's practice also includes commercial litigation, involving complex business and contract disputes, interpretation of corporate bylaw matters, sophisticated real property disputes, quiet title actions, and discrimination in employment litigation. Peter has also litigated business matters before the special, complex litigation panel of the Los Angeles County Superior Court where he helped obtain a seven figure settlement for a client.
The following are a few examples of matters that Peter has handled:
Successfully obtained a judgment after trial, recovering over 1.2 million dollars, plus interest, from an estate executor and fiduciary, which were wrongfully obtained by the acts of undue influence by the fiduciary. These assets were returned to the lawful heirs of the decedent's estate. Peter introduced evidence in the two week trial in this matter, including testimony from sophisticated handwriting experts, to prove the breach of fiduciary duty and acts of dishonest and undue influence against the fiduciary. The unlawful heir was removed from office and determined to be an invalid donee/recipient of any inheritance from the decedent.
Successfully defended and preserved the right of inheritance of a client wrongfully accused of acts of undue influence, in the amount of approximately 2 million dollars, in a case against the disputing relatives.
Successfully cancelled, through judgment obtained at trial, the wrongful transfer of real property taken at the expense of an incapacitated elder, and quieted title to that real property residence for its rightful owner.
Successfully obtained the return of real property and other assets approaching 1 million dollars against defendants who secretly obtained such assets from an incapacitated, elderly woman.
Successfully defended a client through trial, against allegations of financial mismanagement of estate properties and alleged forgery and manipulation of estate documents.
Represented a homeowner against a large title insurance company for recovery of almost 20 times what the title company was willing to pay for liability in failing to disclose a burdensome easement on a title report, in a complex easement and insurance case. This matter was tried in a binding arbitration setting.
Successfully obtained a seven figure settlement for a retailer claim against a major nationally known manufacturer in a complicated antitrust/price fixing case.
At the Court of Appeal: Peter has been successful in several significant matters he has personally briefed and argued before the Court of Appeal in the area of trust and estate oriented litigation.
Peter Bochnewich is the President of Desert Estate Planning Council, a valley-wide association for professionals in the Estate Planning field. Peter is an assistant coach and sponsor of the Palm Desert Youth Soccer Organization. He is also a Board Member of the Boys and Girls Club of the Coachella Valley. Peter is involved with the Desert Valleys Building Association.
Peter has acted numerous times on the stage and as well as in front of the camera. He has worked as a writer, producer, director, and performer with the Desert Bar Association Bird Awards Attorneys and Distinguished Judges Comedy Awards show.
