Probate Litigation
On what grounds can you challenge the validity of a will?
The vast majority of the time, when people have taken the time to develop a sound estate plan under the guidance of a lawyer, there won't be a problem when the time comes for probate. In fact, it's estimated that fully 99 percent of wills in the U.S. pass through...
Will contest has stalled distribution of James Brown’s estate
New Jersey fans of James Brown may already know that this Christmas marks the eighth anniversary of his death. By all accounts, Brown's estate plan was meticulously done. It was obvious to those who perused it that he put his soul into its creation. However, that did...
What happens during the probate of a will?
After a loved one dies, the family must deal with wrapping of his or her affairs. Hopefully, a deceased family member in New Jersey took the time to put his or her wishes into a will. The probate of a will is not without its challenges, but having a will puts the...
What would cause a will contest in New Jersey?
Ordinarily, when a New Jersey resident has an estate plan, the probate process will go smoothly and is more a matter of routine. However, there is no guarantee that an estate plan will prevent a will contest. Several factors could come into play after an individual...
A New Jersey probate dispute can put an inheritance in jeopardy
Many in New Jersey know firsthand that losing a loved one is never easy. The grieving process is often interrupted by funeral and burial arrangements and the probate of that loved one's estate. Things can get even more complicated when a probate dispute arises,...
Heirs file probate dispute over frozen pizza tycoon’s trusts
New Jersey frozen pizza lovers may have heard of Jeno Paulucci, who founded Chun King Foods and was worth somewhere in the neighborhood of $150 million at the time of his death in Nov. 2011, at the age of 93. Up until weeks before his death, control of the majority of...
Judge rules for Ryan O’Neal in probate dispute
New Jersey readers may remember Farrah Fawcett from her days as one of "Charlie's Angels," which made her a television icon. After her death, her longtime, on again off again partner, Ryan O'Neal was in possession of one of two paintings of Fawcett done by Andy...
Probate dispute may determine if blood is thicker than water
There is nearly $300 million at stake, an incredible fortune by any standards. Put in the simplest of terms, the probate dispute filed by family members of the deceased is aiming to determine whether the old adage that "blood is thicker than water" is true. Now it...
Probate dispute spotlights the rights of adopted children
New Jersey readers may have heard of a recent court case in a neighboring state that got national attention. A probate dispute between a widow and the current family of her former adoptive daughter ended in the daughter's favor. The teenage girl, who was originally...