Christopher D. Carico

Christopher D. Carico: Board Certified Estate Planning & Litigation Attorney

For over 30 years, Christopher D. Carico has provided unparalleled legal expertise in estate planning, trust, and probate law. As a board-certified specialist, Mr. Carico is one of a select few California attorneys with the unique dual expertise of both estate tax planning and litigation, allowing him to proactively protect and defend complex estate assets. He is dedicated to guiding families and individuals through the often-challenging landscape of trusts, estates, and probate matters, offering strategic counsel and aggressive representation when necessary.

Mr. Carico’s extensive experience encompasses all facets of trusts and estates, from initial estate planning strategies to resolving complex disputes. He represents a diverse clientele, including families, individuals, professional trustees, conservators, guardians, and beneficiaries, consistently striving to achieve the most favorable outcomes for his clients. His ability to anticipate potential challenges and develop robust legal instruments, coupled with his litigation skills, distinguishes him as a trusted advisor and a formidable advocate.

Mr. Carico expertly divides his time between two primary areas of practice: (1) representing beneficiaries and fiduciaries in dispute resolution and litigation, and (2) providing comprehensive estate planning counseling.

Dispute Resolution & Litigation: When disputes arise involving wills, trusts, conservatorships, or other estate matters, Mr. Carico’s litigation expertise is invaluable. He has a proven track record of successfully handling a wide range of contested actions, including:

• Will Contests
• Trust Contests
• Contested Conservatorships
• Marvin Claims
• Financial Elder Abuse Actions
• Challenged Accountings
• Fiduciary Surcharge and Removal Actions
• Property Characterization Disputes
• 850 Petitions

Advanced Estate Planning Counseling: Beyond litigation, Mr. Carico is a leading strategist in proactive estate planning, designing sophisticated instruments to minimize taxes, protect assets, and ensure seamless transfer of wealth. He advises clients on:

• Family Limited Partnerships (FLPs)
• Family Limited Liability Companies (FLLCs)
• Designated Beneficiary Trusts
• Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs)
• Unitrusts
• Qualified Personal Residence Trusts (QPRTs)
• Intentionally Defective Grantor Trusts (IDGTs)
• Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs)
• Charitable Foundations
• Self-Cancelling Installment Notes
• Life Insurance Trusts

Court-Appointed Expertise: Recognized for his deep knowledge and expertise, Mr. Carico frequently serves as a court-appointed expert, providing objective opinions and recommendations to the probate court in complex estate administration matters. He has been instrumental in resolving disputes related to:

• Trust Reformation Proceedings
• Fiduciary Accountings
• Actions for Breach of Fiduciary Duty
• Actions for Fiduciary Suspension and Removal
• Fee Petitions
• Compromise of Creditors’ Claims

Commitment to Resolution: Mr. Carico is deeply committed to resolving estate and trust disputes efficiently and effectively. He consistently volunteers his time as a mediator on court-sponsored pro bono probate mediation panels and currently serves as a volunteer Probate Settlement Officer on the Los Angeles County Superior Court’s Probate Settlement Conference Panel. His active involvement in these programs reflects his dedication to fostering collaborative solutions and minimizing the time and expense associated with litigation. He also serves on the Executive Committee for the Trust and Estate Section of the State Bar of California.

Education & Credentials: Mr. Carico’s legal foundation is built upon a rigorous academic background. He earned his J.D. *cum laude* from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, where he was a member of the Order of the Coif. He obtained his B.A. in Economics from Occidental College.

Professional Affiliations & Recognition:

• Board Certification: Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law (California State Bar)
• Awards & Recognition: Recognized in Best Attorney USA since 2011; in Best Lawyer’s in America®; Southern California Super Lawyers (Estate Planning & Probate, 2009-2025); Martindale Hubbell Rating: AV Preeminent
• Bar Admissions: California State Bar, Los Angeles County Bar
• Professional Organizations: Member, Trusts & Estates Executive Committee, California State Bar

Contact Information:

El Segundo, California