Business Law Journal

In Buchheim v. Anaya (Cal.App.2d, Aug. 25, 2026, No. B339494) 2026 WL 2490938 (“Buchheim”), a California Court of Appeal recently analyzed a dispute concerning a series of financial transactions between a lender and borrower who had been working together over many years to buy and flip residential real estate. In Buchheim, the Court of Appeal held that in financial matters, unexplained statements of fervent belief lose to an objective record of fact, even on summary judgment.

In Haun v. Pagano (Cal.App.4th, Feb. 18, 2026, No. D084385) 2026 WL 455372 (“Haun”), a California Court of Appeal recently analyzed the impact of a unilateral fee-shifting provision involving competing claims for financial elder abuse brought under the Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Child Protection Act (codified as Welfare and Institutions Code §§ 15600, et seq.) In Haun, the Court of Appeal held that section 15657.5(a) does not bar an award of attorneys’ fees for defense work that overlaps entirely with the successful prosecution of the prevailing petitioner’s own financial elder abuse claim.