Probate – Legal News Feed

Law.com

Governor Healey Announces Five Judicial Nominations for Massachusetts Trial Courts, Highlighting Continued Judicial Diversity Efforts

Pieter Gunst1 week ago02 mins

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has nominated five attorneys for positions within the state’s trial courts. The nominees are: Lynn Feigenbaum and Christopher Spring for Associate Justices of the Superior Court. Connie Wong and Keith Nicholson for Associate Justices of the Boston Municipal Court. Lisa McCormack for Associate Justice of the Probate & Family Court. These…

Bloomberg Law

Trust and Estate Disputes Evolve into Complex Business Litigation Amid Rising Wealth Concentration

Pieter Gunst2 weeks ago03 mins

Trust and estate disputes are increasingly migrating into the realm of business litigation. As wealth becomes more concentrated and complex, families are finding themselves embroiled in legal battles traditionally reserved for corporate conflicts. Issues such as fiduciary duties, valuation discrepancies, and financial mismanagement are now common topics in probate courts. The trend is partly driven…

Law360

New Jersey Court Revives Disqualification Challenge Against Law Firm Amid Judge Conflict Concerns

Pieter Gunst2 weeks ago04 mins

In a significant development for New Jersey’s legal community, a state appellate court has resuscitated an effort to disqualify the law firm Harwood Lloyd LLP from a probate case. This follows concerns about a potential conflict of interest involving a retired judge who joined the firm after awarding substantial fees to one of its attorneys….

Law360

Michigan Supreme Court Ruling Bars Oakland County Judge Candidate from Ballot, Sparking Election Rule Reform Debate

Pieter Gunst2 months ago03 mins

An Oakland County probate judge candidate has faced a setback as the Michigan Supreme Court decided not to take up his appeal regarding the rejection of petition signatures. This decision effectively keeps him off the ballot for the August primary elections. The issue arose when hundreds of petition signatures were disallowed, preventing the candidate from…

Bloomberg Law

Jennifer Nackley Rejoins Quarles & Brady as Partner, Strengthening Estate Planning Services in Florida

Pieter Gunst3 months ago03 mins

In a notable return, Jennifer Nackley has rejoined the law firm of Quarles & Brady as a partner at their Naples, Florida, office. Nackley brings an extensive background in estate planning, trust administration, and probate, alongside her proficiency in tax law, enhancing the firm’s capabilities in these critical areas. Her expertise is expected to be…

Law360

Legal Tech Firm Sues Former Clients Over Alleged Software Misuse in Competitive Dispute

Pieter Gunst5 months ago03 mins

Estate Documents Pro LLC, a probate technology firm, recently initiated a legal battle by filing a complaint in Arizona federal court. The suit, lodged on Monday, cites that former customers from Texas misappropriated their proprietary software to establish a competing estate planning venture. This claim, as reported in Law360, highlights the increasing tensions in the…

Law.com

Georgia House Advances Legislation to End Partisan Judicial Elections

Pieter Gunst6 months ago04 mins

The Georgia House of Representatives has advanced legislation aimed at transitioning probate and magistrate court judicial elections from partisan to nonpartisan contests. This move follows a majority floor vote in the House, signaling a significant shift in the state’s approach to judicial elections. Currently, while most of Georgia’s 1,600 judges are elected through nonpartisan elections,…

Law360

Atlanta Seeks Dismissal of Ex-Judge’s Lawsuit Over 2024 Arrest, Citing Justified Police Action

Pieter Gunst6 months ago03 mins

The City of Atlanta has moved to dismiss a civil rights lawsuit filed by former Douglas County Probate Judge Christina Peterson, who alleges wrongful arrest and excessive force during a 2024 incident outside a Buckhead nightclub. The city contends that law enforcement officers acted appropriately and had sufficient grounds for Peterson’s arrest. In June 2024,…

Law360

Atlanta Faces Legal Challenge as Ex-Judge Sues Over Alleged Wrongful Arrest and Police Misconduct

Pieter Gunst6 months ago03 mins

In a legal battle that underscores the tension between law enforcement practices and individual rights, a former Douglas County Probate Judge has initiated a lawsuit against the City of Atlanta. The case revolves around allegations of wrongful arrest and excessive force used during the incident, which occurred outside a local nightclub. The former judge contends…

Law360

Florida Appellate Court Upholds Disqualification of Attorney in $1 Million Probate Case Over Ethical Breach

Pieter Gunst8 months ago03 mins

In a significant decision for Florida’s legal landscape, a state appellate court recently affirmed the disqualification of an attorney involved in a $1 million probate case. The court found that the attorney violated ethical obligations by switching sides to represent his client’s adversaries, highlighting important considerations related to conflicts of interest. The attorney, initially representing…

Law360

Massachusetts Judge Fined for Nepotism, Sparking Discussion on Judicial Ethics

Pieter Gunst10 months ago02 mins

A recent decision by the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission has drawn attention to ethical conduct within the judiciary. A former Massachusetts Probate and Family Court judge has been fined $4,000 for appointing his father to a lucrative position in a divorce proceeding, as reported by Law360. The judge selected his father for a $450 per…

Bloomberg Law

FisherBroyles Enhances Trust Litigation Practice with Strategic Appointment of Nathan Schwinghamer as Partner in Naples Office

Pieter Gunst11 months ago03 mins

In a strategic move to bolster its capabilities in trust litigation, FisherBroyles has appointed Nathan Schwinghamer as a partner in its Naples office. Known for his expertise in handling intricate trust and estate disputes, Schwinghamer’s addition is seen as a significant enhancement to the firm’s litigation practice. With an extensive background in trust and estate…

Law.com

Savannah Probate Judge Faces Ethics Charges Amid Allegations of Prolonged Case Delays

Pieter Gunst12 months ago03 mins

In Savannah, Georgia, a probate judge now faces formal ethics charges after allegations surfaced regarding the prolonged delays in handling probate cases. The judicial conduct board has been prompted to scrutinize the judge’s oversight, marking a significant moment in the state’s efforts to maintain judicial accountability. The details of the upcoming hearing have emerged amid…

Bloomberg Law

Frost Brown Todd Expands Los Angeles Office with Addition of Insurance Expert Michele Levinson

Pieter Gunst1 year ago01 mins

In a strategic move to bolster its legal offerings, Frost Brown Todd has announced the addition of Michele Levinson to its product, tort, and insurance litigation practice group as a partner in Los Angeles. Levinson brings a robust portfolio of expertise in areas critical to insurers, nonprofits, and public entities. Specializing in automobile claims and…

Bloomberg Law

Husch Blackwell Strengthens Private Wealth Team with Lorna McGeorge as Partner

Pieter Gunst1 year ago02 mins

In a strategic move to bolster its financial services and capital markets sector, Husch Blackwell has welcomed Lorna McGeorge as a partner. McGeorge will be an integral part of the firm’s private wealth team. McGeorge brings a wealth of experience, specializing in estate planning, probate law, and estate and gift taxation. Her practice extends to…

Law360

Massachusetts Governor Nominates Experienced Probate Judge to Appeals Court

Pieter Gunst1 year ago01 mins

In a recent development, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has put forth the nomination of Probate and Family Court Justice Jennifer M. Allen to serve on the state’s intermediate appellate court. This nomination marks a significant potential elevation within the state’s judiciary system, promising to bring Justice Allen’s extensive experience in probate and family law to…

Law.com

Georgia Judge Resigns Amid Ethics Investigation, Agrees to Lifetime Ban from Judicial Office

Pieter Gunst1 year ago02 mins

The recent resignation of Judge Danielle McRae from the Upson County Probate Court in Georgia marks the resolution of an investigation conducted by the Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC) of Georgia. Under a consent agreement, McRae has agreed not to “seek, request, or accept any elected or appointed judicial office position or status in the future.”…

LawSites

Arkansas Legal Resource Website Launches to Empower Self-Represented Litigants with Cost-Effective Solutions

Pieter Gunst1 year ago04 mins

In a notable development for self-represented litigants in Arkansas, a legal information website, ArkansasLegalNow (ALN), has been launched to assist individuals in navigating legal issues without the burden of exorbitant legal fees. The initiative is spearheaded by Brandon Haubert, a well-versed civil and family law attorney and the CEO of WH Law, based in Little…

Bloomberg Law

April King Joins Moss & Barnett, Strengthening Estate and Incapacity Planning Expertise

Pieter Gunst1 year ago02 mins

Moss & Barnett, a prominent law firm based in Minneapolis, has announced the addition of April King to their team. Specializing as a trusts and estates attorney, King brings a robust portfolio of expertise to the firm. Her practice areas encompass a wide array of services, including probate and trust administration, estate and incapacity planning,…

Bloomberg Law

Edwin Coe LLP Strengthens Private Client Team with the Addition of Notable Partner Jeremy Curtis

Pieter Gunst1 year ago02 mins

Edwin Coe LLP has announced the recruitment of Jeremy Curtis as a partner in its private client team, marking a strategic addition to its expanding private capital services. Curtis is noted for his expertise in advising UK and international high net worth individuals on various legal matters, including tax, trust and estate planning, as well…

Law360

Estate of Diane McIver Opposes Legal Consolidation in Wrongful Death and Probate Cases

Pieter Gunst1 year ago01 mins

The administrator of the estate of Diane McIver, who was tragically killed by her husband, former BigLaw attorney Claud “Tex” McIver, is urging a state court to resist merging two distinct legal actions. One action pertains to the proceeds of a wrongful death settlement, while the other involves a separate probate case concerning Diane McIver’s…

Law360

Connecticut Lawyer Receives Five-Year Suspension Over Estate Case Mismanagement

Pieter Gunst2 years ago01 mins

An attorney in Connecticut has been suspended from practicing law for five years due to significant procedural lapses in handling an estate case. The disciplinary action arises from his failure to file a case in probate court as required, along with the misplacement or loss of the last will and testament belonging to a client’s…

Law.com

Appellate Court Reverses Probate Court Decision on Attorney Disqualification in Conservatorship Case

Pieter Gunst2 years ago01 mins

The state appellate court recently addressed a contentious issue regarding the removal of an attorney from a conservatorship case. The appeals court determined that the probate court overstepped its bounds in its decision to disqualify the private counsel involved. This move was initially based on the assessment that the plaintiff was incapable of securing private…

Bloomberg Law

Fredrikson Enhances Trusts and Estates Practice with Erika Stein Appointment

Pieter Gunst2 years ago02 mins

Fredrikson has announced the recruitment of Erika Stein as an officer in its trusts and estates and business and tax planning groups. This move is expected to bolster the firm’s capabilities in these areas, which are crucial for estate planning and related legal services. Fredrikson revealed this appointment on Monday. Stein brings a wealth of…

Bloomberg Law

Lathrop GPM Expands Trust and Estate Litigation Team with Strategic Hiring of Matthew Rossiter

Pieter Gunst2 years ago02 mins

Matthew Rossiter has joined Lathrop GPM as a partner in their private client services practice group and trust and estate litigation team, based in St. Louis. His expertise will be a key asset to the firm’s expanding trust and estate litigation practice. Rossiter’s professional background encompasses a wide array of services, as he represents trustees,…