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Fiduciary Duty Wills Executors

Mandelbaum Barrett PC

Caveats in Probate: How to Challenge a Will in New Jersey

Mandelbaum Barrett PC on

After the loss of a loved one, families often face difficult questions—especially when the terms of a will are unexpected or the person named as executor is unfit. In these situations, it’s important to know that you do have...more

Winstead PC

Court Reversed Summary Judgment And Held That There Was A Fact Question On Whether A Trust Was Void Due To Forgery Or Fraud

Winstead PC on

In In re Est. of Prieto, the contestant’s mother executed a will in 2008 leaving her property to a trust. No. 04-22-00038-CV, 2024 Tex. App. LEXIS 6336 (Tex. App.—San Antonio August 28, 2024, no pet.)....more

Mandelbaum Barrett PC

First Steps for Executors: What to Do When a Loved One Passes

Mandelbaum Barrett PC on

When a loved one passes away, the emotional toll of the loss can be compounded by the sudden responsibility of managing the deceased person’s estate—especially if you’ve been named as the executor under a Last Will and...more

Stark & Stark

Litigation Concerning an Executor’s Accounting

Stark & Stark on

As discussed in a previous blog, prior to an executor making distributions from an estate he/she must produce an accounting which the beneficiaries of an estate are entitled to review. Provided that the accounting is...more

Goulston & Storrs PC

Executor Nominated by Decedent Deemed Unfit to Serve

Goulston & Storrs PC on

When is the executor nominated by the decedent in a will deemed unfit to serve as executor? Rarely – but a recent decision in Surrogates Court set forth the standard and deemed the nominated executor in that case unfit to...more

Winstead PC

Court Affirmed The Removal Of An Executor For Gross Mismanagement

Winstead PC on

In Gordon v. Gordon, a couple created a revocable trust and named a friend, who provided financial advice, as successor trustee. No. 03-22-00454-CV, 2024 Tex. App. LEXIS 3611 (Tex. App.—Austin May 23, 2024, no pet. history)....more

Winstead PC

Enforcement Of Will/Trust Provisions Giving The Fiduciary The Power To Construe The Document

Winstead PC on

​​​​​​​It is common for wills or trusts to provide that the fiduciary has the right to construe the document. For example, a provision may state that the fiduciary shall resolve any question regarding the construction,...more

Gray Reed

Can Executors Keep Secrets From Beneficiaries?

Gray Reed on

Following the untimely death last year of his father Big Daddy Bux due to COVID-19, brother Hustler Bux was appointed independent executor of Big Daddy’s Will. When Hustler asked for a judicial discharge, sister Kathy...more

Freeman Law

Does an Executor Breach Their Fiduciary Duty By Failing to Disclose Facts to Beneficiaries?

Freeman Law on

A fiduciary’s failure to disclose material facts to beneficiaries may violate their fiduciary duties.  A recent Texas court’s decision outlines the fiduciary’s risks that come with the obligation to disclose....more

Winstead PC

Court Affirms Decision That Executor Applicant Was Unsuitable For That Position

Winstead PC on

In In the Estate of Johnson, an applicant to be an independent administrator appealed a court’s decision to not appoint him due to his being unsuitable. No. 02-20-00133-CV, 2021 Tex. App. LEXIS 7138 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth...more

Sands Anderson PC

The Tale of the Feuding Fiduciaries

Sands Anderson PC on

When two brothers appointed to serve as coexecutors of their mother’s estate can’t get along in fulfilling their jointly held duty, how does a Virginia court decide which one to remove? In the recent case of Galiotos v....more

Winstead PC

Court Holds That An Executor May Breach Duties In Making A Non-Pro Rata Distribution Of Assets

Winstead PC on

In In re Estate of Stewart, siblings filed claims regarding the administration of their father’s estate. No. 04-20-00103-CV, 2021 Tex. App. LEXIS 3897 (Tex. App.—San Antonio May 19, 2021, no pet. history)....more

Farrell Fritz, P.C.

Wills, Trusts & Estates: Plain and Simple – What Does an Executor Do?

Farrell Fritz, P.C. on

An Executor (technically, Executrix if a woman) is the person you appoint to carry out your wishes as expressed in your Will. The Executor’s job lasts a relatively short period of time, typically two to three years, ending...more

McGuireWoods LLP

Recent Cases of Interest to Fiduciaries April 2019

McGuireWoods LLP on

In the most recent installment of the McGuireWoods Fiduciary Advisory Services annual multipart series on recent fiduciary cases, developments in the law concerning various topics are examined through the following: Ali v....more

White and Williams LLP

Personal Representatives and Fiduciaries: Executors, Administrators and Trustees and Their Duties

White and Williams LLP on

The death of a loved one or close friend is a traumatic experience. In addition to the emotional anguish, those who are charged with dealing with the decedent’s personal and financial affairs following death are often left...more

Winstead PC

Court Holds That Administrator Is Not Bound By Arbitration Clause In A Will

Winstead PC on

In Ali v. Smith, a successor administrator of an estate sued the former executor for breach of fiduciary duties arising from his management of the finances of the estate, converting assets of the estate, and using estate...more

Farrell Fritz, P.C.

Receipts and Releases: End of the Road or Just the Beginning

Farrell Fritz, P.C. on

The discharge of an executor or trustee is the ultimate end-game of most, if not all, estate and trust administrations. Affording that kind of comfort level to the fiduciary can be accomplished in one of two ways,...more

Farrell Fritz, P.C.

On Its Own Motion

Farrell Fritz, P.C. on

While most decisions rendered by the Surrogate’s Court result from an affirmative request for relief, occasionally the court will address an issue on its own motion when justice or the exercise of its inherent or statutory...more

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