NC Fiduciary Litigation Commentary

Lord & Lindley - Lawyers in Charlotte NC

Breach of Trustees’ Fiduciary Duty – Part 1: General Considerations

November 10, 2016

          This is the first of a four-part series examining trustee’s fiduciary duties and the circumstances that could result in litigation.  To begin, we will discuss basic principles that will lay a groundwork to inform our larger discussion.     What is a Trust and a Trustee?[1]        …

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Probate Basics: Questions and Answers

September 29, 2016

          Losing a loved one is an emotional and difficult time, even without handling the legalities and formalities of the deceased’s affairs.  When you find yourself responsible for handling the deceased’s business at the end of death, where do you start?  This post aims to explain the basics of probate, how…

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Six Basic Questions and Answers about Executors

September 21, 2016

          If you have a will or have ever dealt with estate administration, you are probably familiar with the term “executor.”   However, most people don’t know what an executor is or what the executor’s role is.  Additionally, what do you do if you suspect an executor is behaving fraudulently or contrary…

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Accelerating Estate Disputes: the Living Probate Option

June 29, 2016

          North Carolina joins four other states in providing a path to ensure decedents’ assets are distributed according to their wishes upon death.[1]  The North Carolina General Assembly recently enacted legislation amending statutes regarding estate administration by adding a procedure for “living probate.”  This action is usually commenced by a testator…

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John C Lindley III

Six Ways to Challenge a Will’s Validity

June 15, 2016

          Wills must meet several basic requirements to be valid and enforceable under state law.  If any of the below factors are at work, then a will’s validity may be challenged.   (1) Undue Influence              Undue influence exists when a person uses coercion to influence the…

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What Happens If You Die Without a Will? Taking a Lesson From Prince

April 28, 2016

          On Tuesday, Prince’s sister, Tyka Nelson, filed an emergency motion in Carver County District Court requesting that the Court appoint a special administrator to gather and protect Prince’s assets.  She also claimed that, to the best of her knowledge, no will existed.  The assets are estimated to be worth $100…

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Caveat to a Caveat to a Will: North Carolina Court Of Appeals Offers Non-binding Opinion

October 14, 2015

          In October the North Carolina Court of Appeals issued an unpublished opinion addressing the circumstances under which it is appropriate to grant a motion to dismiss in the context of a will caveat.[1]  A caveat is a legal challenge to the probate of a will when there is confusion or…

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