Representative Matters
Successfully defended institutional trustee against $2 billion dollar claim for negligent administration of testamentary trust.
Successfully sought and obtained summary judgment admitting to probate a decedent's will that was challenged by the decendent's grandchild in a highly contentious probate proceeding
Successfully represented institutional trustee against multi-million dollar claim for improper retention of concentration of common stock in violation of Prudent Investor Act.
Successfully represented estate fiduciary in securing the turnover to the estate of the decedent’s retirement plan and other non-probate assets where the designation of a third party beneficiary was the result of undue influence and decedent’s incapacity.
Successfully represented public non-for-profit corporation in defeating prior bequest under will to secure full value of client’s bequest.
Successfully defended child of decedent’s first marriage against claim by children of second marriage to decedent’s art collection.
Successfully probated will of decedent benefiting decedent’s second husband over children of first marriage’s claim of undue influence.
Successfully represented executor against claims of self-dealing and negligent handling of estate assets.
Successfully represented brother and former law partner of decedent in claims against decedent’s estate concerning misappropriation of partnership property and title to real estate interests.
Successfully represented estate beneficiary in a series of litigation proceedings over the division of a decedent’s substantial real estate properties.
Defending the propriety of a corporate fiduciary's management of a closely held corporation owned by a testamentary trust, and winning dismissal after 35 days of trial of a $2 billion claim for negligence and breach of fiduciary duty.
Defending a corporate trustee from a surcharge claim arising from management of real estate.
Pursuing compulsory accounting proceedings to secure accountings from fiduciaries.
Presenting and defending accounts of trustees and executors.
Will construction proceeding involving dispute between beneficiaries over rights of an adopted child.
Will construction proceeding involving rule against perpetuities.
Will construction proceeding involving the interpretation of granting clauses.
Contesting will on grounds of undue influence and tracing and recovering assets.
Seeking discovery of hidden estate assets.
Defending claim seeking to enforce contract to make testamentary dispositions.
Valuation and sale of estate's interest in real estate partnership.
Appointment of guardian for mentally incapacitated individual.
Determination of entitlement to wrongful death proceeds.
Securing the appointment of successor trustees not named in trust instrument.
Estate and gift tax proceedings including valuation of hard to value assets.
Representing beneficiaries in tax apportionment action.
- Representing surviving spouse in exercise of elective share rights.
Estates Litigation
Obtained summary judgment admitting to probate a decedent’s will that was challenged by the decedent’s grandchild in a highly contentious probate proceeding.
Defended institutional trustee against $2 billion dollar claim for negligent administration of testamentary trust.
Represented against multi-million dollar claim for institutional trustee for improper retention of concentration of common stock in violation of Prudent Investor Act.
Represented fiduciary of estate in securing the turnover to the estate of the decedent’s retirement plan and other non-probate assets where the designation of a third party beneficiary was the result of undue influence and decedent’s incapacity.