Debby S. Doitch
Probate and Litigation Counsel/Shareholder
Debby S. Doitch is a probate litigation attorney and Shareholder at KJMLAW Partners, representing trustees, beneficiaries, creditors, and fiduciaries throughout Pasadena and the greater San Gabriel Valley, including Arcadia, San Marino, South Pasadena, and Altadena. Since 2009, she has built a track record defending and prosecuting complex trust and estate disputes, guardianships, conservatorships, and probate matters, along with related business and real estate litigation. Clients rely on Ms. Doitch for steady, strategic guidance through emotionally and financially high-stakes disputes – combining aggressive advocacy when litigation is necessary with a practical focus on efficient, favorable resolutions.
Practice Areas
Representative Experience
- Negotiated more than 25 probate petitions, including Heggstad petitions confirming title to property, trustee removals, and estate administrations.
- Defended clients against allegations of financial elder abuse and fraud in a complex trust dispute, ultimately securing a favorable eve-of-trial settlement with no individual liability exposure.
- Represents families in contested and uncontested conservatorship proceedings, working closely with financial advisors to help ensure funds left for children and other beneficiaries are properly managed and invested.
- Successfully defended a closely held property-management company against conversion and indemnification claims, resulting in a full dismissal on demurrer.
- Obtained a restraining order preventing a former employee from misusing trade secrets and customer lists to solicit away clients.
- Negotiated an early, favorable settlement in a wage-and-hour dispute originally seeking more than $500,000 in attorney’s fees, resolving the matter before discovery began.
- Represented a general contractor in a fee dispute through a 14-hour arbitration, later settling a related appeal before it reached the Court of Appeal.
Insights & Presentations
- When Fiduciaries Collide! Real Cases Where the Fiduciary, Attorney & Realtors Must Work Together, Professional Fiduciary Association of California (PFAC) Conference, 2026
- Capacity Clash: Navigating the Interplay of Roles and Conflict in Fiduciary Practice, Professional Fiduciary Association of California (PFAC) Conference, 2026
- Avoiding Trust & Estate Probate Challenges: Minimizing and Litigating Claims of Undue Influence, Fraud, Capacity, and Mistakes, Professional Fiduciary Association of California (PFAC) Education Day, 2025
- Being Prepared for Mediation – Your Day in Court Continues, Professional Fiduciary Association of California (PFAC) Conference, 2024
Professional Organizations & Community Involvement
- Professional Fiduciary Association of California (PFAC)
- Los Angeles Estate Planning Council (LAEPC), Vice President
- Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA), Sections: Appellate Courts, Diversity in the Profession, Litigation, Small Firm, Trusts & Estates
- Chabad of Pasadena
- Advocate for LGBTQIA+ individuals
Awards and Recognition
- Southern California Super Lawyers – 2026, 2027
Bar Admissions
- California
- S. District Court, Central District of California
Education
- Western State University College of Law (J.D.)
- California State University, Northridge (B.A., Psychology)