In baseball, teams play just one team at a time and in one location. That is not always the case for their owners. The ongoing saga of the Seidler Family — owners of the San Diego Padres — being duked out in both Travis...more
In In re In the Est. of Booth, Bill and Doris were married in 1991 and had separate and joint accounts, No. 02-24-00056-CV, 2025 Tex. App. LEXIS 2666 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth April 17, 2025, no pet.)....more
We all expect to feel grief and sadness after the loss of a loved one. What many people don’t anticipate is the sudden burden of administrative tasks that follow death, from bills to be paid and accounts to be closed. In the...more
Executors play a crucial role in managing and distributing an estate according to the wishes outlined in a will. But what happens when an executor steps outside their duties or abuses their power?...more
What you need to know before appointing an executor under your Will - Appointing the right executor is one of the most important decisions when preparing a Will. Executors play a central role in the administration of an...more
In a recent vlog, Xena A. Balcazar, an associate in the Elder, Matrimonial and Family Law Practice Groups at Mandelbaum Barrett PC, discusses a longstanding legal ambiguity in matrimonial law: what occurs when a spouse passes...more
If you believe a loved one’s will does not reflect their true wishes, you might be wondering, “Can I contest a will in Pennsylvania?” Understanding the process and grounds for contesting a will can help you decide your next...more
Divorce is usually not top of mind when couples envision living happily ever after. But it can be a financially strenuous and mentally stressful potential outcome of marriage. A spouse’s death during this process adds another...more
The UAE has established a comprehensive system of laws and registries for the draft and execution of Wills. This has been done for the benefit of the large expatriate community in the UAE who own movable and immovable assets...more
Joint bank accounts are often viewed as a convenient way to manage finances or pass assets seamlessly upon death. However, in Pennsylvania estate disputes, joint accounts can become a major source of conflict among heirs and...more
Executors and administrators of estates in Virginia must swear an oath before the probate clerk that they will “faithfully perform the duties of [their] office to the best of [their] judgment.” These duties are called...more
What Snowbirds Need to Know About the Substantive Differences Between New Jersey and Florida in Probate Administration, Homestead Protections, and Spousal Rights...more
In Est. of Smith, the beneficiaries of an estate filed claims that the decedent was mentally incompetent when she deeded her residence to her grandson and granddaughter-in-law. No. 02-24-00175-CV, 2024 Tex. App. LEXIS 8272...more
Losing a loved one unexpectedly is devastating, particularly when their death results from someone else’s negligence or wrongful actions. Financial hardships, including medical bills, funeral expenses, and lost income, often...more
In 2022, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) issued a major decision impacting the calculation of alimony and child support. In Cavanagh v. Cavanagh, in addition to setting a new procedure for determining alimony...more
The California Court of Appeal recently reaffirmed that a party’s ownership interest in real property must be clearly established before the party can have standing to bring an action for partition of the property. ...more
It is a common misconception believed by many that having a will avoids probate. Not only is it false, it really could not be further from the truth. Rather, a will is a tool that is often used during the probate process and...more
It is long-standing law in Massachusetts that the best interests of a child govern custody disputes. Said another way, when parents cannot agree and the court has to make custody and parenting time decisions, the well-being...more
The Purple Reign… in Chaos: Netflix, Secrets, and the Fight Over Prince's Legacy...more
The Massachusetts Parentage Act (“MPA”) went into effect on January 1, 2025. Since then, lawyers, judges, and court personnel have been grappling with its implementation and interpretation. No cases addressing the MPA have...more
Two recent Michigan Court of Appeals cases delve into what it takes to successfully pursue an undue influence claim. In re Sherrod Estate, No 369863, 2025 WL 855275 (Mich Ct App Mar 18, 2025) (unpublished) and In re Estate of...more
A unique aspect of practicing before the probate court is the “interested person” concept. Someone who qualifies as an “interested person” is entitled to be served with filings and receive notice of hearings in proceedings...more
Bankruptcy is the process where someone who is unable to pay their debts files a petition to discharge (eliminate) those debts or restructure the debt with a payment plan. But what happens if a bankruptcy petition is filed by...more
It is fascinating when the types of cases we handle in our practice come to life in the media. Recently, former talk show host Wendy Williams has been the subject of media attention because she has a court-appointed...more
The Michigan Court of Appeals recently answered these questions. In re Guardianship of AMS, No 372183, 2025 WL 452248 (Mich Ct App Feb 10, 2025) (unpublished). AMS was married to Thomas, and she had two daughters, Theresa...more