NC Fiduciary Litigation Commentary
Key Themes & Takeaways from This Year’s Rulings Fiduciary duty disputes continued to dominate the North Carolina Business Court docket in 2025, and this year’s decisions sent a clear message: fiduciary duties arise in narrow, well-defined circumstances — not merely because parties share an LLC, partnership, or contractual relationship. In case after case, the Court…
The tragic case unfolding in Clovis, New Mexico — where 19-year-old Darren Munoz is accused of hiring a friend to murder his father and stepmother so he could allegedly secure an inheritance — highlights how dangerous financial misconceptions and family conflict can become. Investigators say Munoz believed his father owned a convenience-store franchise and that…
Disputes among LLC members often feel personal—especially when management power shifts, ownership interests are questioned, or a minority member is pushed aside. But a recent North Carolina Supreme Court decision underscores a critical reality: in LLCs, contract almost always comes first. In Gvest Real Estate, LLC v. JS Real Estate Investments, LLC, the Court reaffirmed…
Breach of contract disputes don’t just happen in boardrooms or between business partners—they can arise anywhere two parties make legally binding promises. A newly filed lawsuit involving Tyra Banks and her ice cream venture, Smize & Dream, is a timely example. According to recent reports, Banks is facing a $2.8 million breach of contract claim…
High-profile estate disputes often expose how legally and emotionally complex things become when someone passes away without a will. The unfolding litigation surrounding the estate of Virginia Giuffre—best known as the most prominent accuser of Jeffrey Epstein—illustrates this all too well. After her death at age 41, Giuffre left behind significant wealth from her settlements…
Unexpected inheritances often reveal more than just what appears in a will—they expose family dynamics, long-standing fractures, and the profound impact of companionship. A recent story shared on Reddit illustrates just how complicated these matters can become. According to the poster, they developed a close friendship with their elderly neighbor after moving to a new…
A promissory note is a legally binding document that records one party’s promise to pay another party a specific amount of money, either on demand or at a set date in the future. At its core, it’s a written promise to repay a loan — but unlike a casual IOU, a promissory note carries enforceable…
Winning a lawsuit is only half the battle—actually collecting what you’re owed can be the harder part, especially when the losing party lives or keeps assets in another state. “Domesticating” a foreign judgment means bringing a judgment from another U.S. state (or sometimes another country) recognized and enforced here in North Carolina. In other words,…
The HR software world isn’t usually known for high drama—but the latest lawsuit between Human Interest and Guideline reads like a Silicon Valley spy novel. Human Interest, a 401(k)-management startup valued at $1.4 billion, has sued its rival Guideline in federal court, alleging a coordinated scheme to steal company secrets. At the center of the…
When legendary actress and director Diane Keaton passed away on October 11, 2025, the world mourned the loss of one of Hollywood’s most distinctive talents. Known for her wit, style, and timeless roles in Annie Hall, Father of the Bride, and The First Wives Club, Keaton was also a devoted animal lover. Her beloved Golden…