Trusts and Estates Litigation

Represented a major charitable organization in challenge to purported will signed by decedent while in hospice care and just days before she died of fast-moving cancer. The new will excluded charity, which was the beneficiary of prior wills and with whom decedent had a longstanding relationship. The charity did not learn of the death until after the new will was admitted to probate. The case went to the New York Court of Appeals, which decided in a split decision that the charity had to prove undue influence or lack of competence simply to be permitted to reopen probate. 10 N.Y. 3d 82 (2008).

Represented charitable organizations in numerous will and trust cases involving issues of due execution, application of the prudent person rule, mental competence and objections to accountings.

Represented executor of will in connection with claims against estate.

Represented residuary beneficiary of very large trust against claims that trustee violated the prudent investor rule by investing in high-quality municipal bonds over a thirty-year period.

Represented a major charitable organization in challenge to purported will signed by decedent while in hospice care and just days before she died of fast-moving cancer. The new will excluded charity, which was the beneficiary of prior wills and with whom decedent had a longstanding relationship. The charity did not learn of the death until after the new will was admitted to probate. The case went to the New York Court of Appeals, which decided in a split decision that the charity had to prove undue influence or lack of competence simply to be permitted to reopen probate. 10 N.Y. 3d 82 (2008).

Represented charitable organizations in numerous will and trust cases involving issues of due execution, application of the prudent person rule, mental competence and objections to accountings.

Represented executor of will in connection with claims against estate.

Represented residuary beneficiary of large trust against claims that trustee violated the prudent investor rule by investing in high-quality municipal bonds over a thirty-year period.