NC Fiduciary Litigation Commentary

Lord & Lindley - Lawyers in Charlotte NC

Dr. Oz Claims His Sister Forged Their Late Father’s Will—how Would He Make This Claim in North Carolina?

April 6, 2022

Famous TV doctor Mehmet Oz—better known as “Dr. Oz”—recently accused his sister, Nazlim, of forging their late father’s will and stealing millions from his estate.  A 2008 will left all of Mustafa Oz’s assets to the Mustafa Oz Foundation, a United States organization, and left Dr. Oz in charge of the foundation; however, Nazlim presented a…

Practical Tips to Avoid Estate Disputes

March 5, 2020

Singer and television personality Marie Osmond recently announced she would not be leaving her fortune to her children.  Individuals are free to incorporate decisions to disinherit heirs, as Marie Osmond did, in their estate plans; however, this often leads to litigation after the individual passes away.  Litigation over an estate can be particularly difficult and…

Interpretation Of a Will: What Do Per Capita and Per Stirpes Mean?

September 12, 2019

The North Carolina Court of Appeals recently released an opinion in the matter Brawley v. Sherrill.  The parties were disputing the interpretation of a will, which provided per capita distribution of estate assets to the testator’s children, but per stirpes distribution to her grandchildren.  What do these terms mean, and how do they work together…

Jeffrey Epstein Trust

August 22, 2019

Millionaire financier Jeffrey Epstein killed himself on August 10, 2019 while in prison awaiting trial for charges including federal sex trafficking.  Shortly before his death, Epstein signed a pour-over will placing approximately $577 million in assets into a trust.  Many believe the creation of this trust was an attempt by Epstein to shield his vast…

Tom Petty’s Widow, Daughters, won’t Back Down” in Trust Dispute

April 11, 2019

Famed rock singer, Tom Petty, passed away in 2017.  Nearly two years later his widow, Dana York Petty, and his daughters from a previous marriage, Adria and Annakim Petty, remain embroiled in a legal dispute over the musician’s estate.  In the petition filed with the probate court in Los Angeles, California, Dana asserts her authority…

‘I Say a Little Prayer’ that Aretha Franklin’s children have ‘Respect’ and Are Not a ‘Chain of Fools’

August 29, 2018

American singer and songwriter Aretha Franklin passed away on August 16 at the age of 76 after battling advanced pancreatic cancer. In the days following her passing, her four sons filed documents with the Michigan Probate Court stating that Aretha passed without a will or trust, and claimed to be interested parties in her estate.…

Trey Lindley Selected as a 2018 North Carolina Super Lawyer in Estate and Trust Litigation

January 26, 2018

Lord & Lindley is pleased to announce Trey Lindley was selected as a 2018 Super Lawyer in Estate and Trust Litigation by Super Lawyers Magazine making this his seventh consecutive honor from the publication. He was selected as a Rising Star in Estate and Trust Litigation in 2017 and a Rising Star in Business Litigation from 2012 to…

Trey Lindley Selected as a 2017 North Carolina Rising Star in Estate and Trust Litigation

January 23, 2017

          Lord & Lindley is pleased to announce Trey Lindley was selected as a Rising Star in Estate and Trust Litigation by Super Lawyers Magazine making this his sixth consecutive Rising Star award with the previous five for Business Litigation.           Super Lawyers Magazine recognizes outstanding attorneys who are 40…

Archives