Estate Litigation
As we recognize Pride Month this June, it’s a timely moment to discuss the estate planning and litigation concerns that continue to affect LGBTQ+ individuals and couples. While the legalization of same-sex marriage marked a major step forward, it didn’t erase the risks that arise when estate plans are unclear, outdated, or contested. For LGBTQ+…
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Collectibles often tell a story far richer than their price tag suggests. Whether it’s a Super Bowl ring, a vintage comic collection, or a signed baseball bat, these items can hold enormous sentimental and financial value. But when someone passes away without a clear estate plan, such prized possessions can become flashpoints in family disputes.…
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When it comes to estate planning, two of the most common legal tools used to manage the distribution of assets are trusts and wills. While they share a similar goal—ensuring assets are passed on according to your wishes—they are fundamentally different in their structure and operation. A will is a legal document that dictates how…
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Managing an estate across multiple countries can transform a straightforward inheritance into an overwhelming legal and tax nightmare. For cross-border families—those with international marriages, investments in multiple countries, or assets scattered around the globe—estates become far more complicated. Variations in tax laws, inheritance systems, and legal frameworks governing estate distribution can lead to costly litigation,…
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Elvis Presley’s legacy lives on through his iconic home, Graceland, and the empire built around it. However, his estate has been the subject of intense litigation over the years, with recent battles highlighting how estate disputes can evolve and impact significant family assets. The Presley family has experienced a particularly complicated legal journey regarding the…
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In the wake of Tony Bennett’s passing inJuly 2023, his family has found itself embroiled in a complicated legal battle over his estate. At the center of this dispute are allegations from Bennett’s daughters, Antonia and Johanna Bennett, that Bennett’s son, D’Andrea “Danny” Bennett, failed to properly manage his father’s estate and ensure it was…
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Gene Hackman, the legendary two-time Oscar-winning actor, left behind an impressive film legacy—but now, his estate is facing potential legal challenges. According to reports, Hackman’s will does not name his three children as beneficiaries, instead leaving the bulk of his estate to his longtime wife, Betsy Arakawa. Betsy predeceased him by a number of days…
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Estate litigation often involves complex disputes where attorneys who drafted estate documents may be called to testify. Whether it’s to explain the intent behind a will’s provisions or clarify the circumstances of its creation, lawyers play a critical role in resolving these disputes. The North Carolina State Bar’s 2024 Formal Ethics Opinion 3 outlines important…
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The recent passing of iconic actor John Amos sparked a family feud over his will. His daughter, Shannon Amos, is alleging that her brother, K.C., and others colluded to manipulate their father’s estate. According to Shannon, John was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia in 2016, a condition that gradually impaired his cognitive abilities. She claims…
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The recent allegations surrounding Teresa Reveles, Richard Simmons’ longtime house manager and friend, have shed a disturbing light on the complexities of estate planning and the potential for conflict among trustees. Reveles, who served as Simmons’ house manager for 36 years, has filed a petition to be reinstated as a co-trustee of the late fitness…
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