In re Estate of R.S., No. A-3452-22 (N.J. Super. App. Div. Oct. 31, 2024) The defendant appealed an Order appointing the plaintiff as the administrator of the decedent’s estate.  The Appellate Division reversed and remanded. The defendant was adopted by the decedent and his spouse from Russia shortly after he was born in 1993.  The […]

Crane v. Crane, Docket No. 23-cv-01527 (D.N.J. Apr. 1, 2024) The plaintiff, Michael Crane (“Michael”), brought claims in federal court alleging that the defendants — Michael’s sister, Jacqueline Crane (“Jacqueline”) and Michael’s nephew, Joseph Candela (“Joseph”) — unlawfully deprived him of property.  He also claimed that Jacqueline breached her fiduciary duties and was negligent for […]

Quick v. Morgan Stanley, Docket No. A-0443-21 (N.J. Super. App. Div. Jun. 29, 2023) This matter arises from a dispute over the rightful beneficiaries of a Roth IRA held by the decedent.  Frederick Quick (“Decedent”) died leaving, in relevant part, a Roth IRA with Morgan Stanley.  The Decedent was predeceased by his spouse (“Marie”) and […]

In re Estate of Petronaci, Docket No. A-3842-21 (N.J. Super. App. Div. Jan. 10, 2024) Brian Petronaci (“Decedent”) was married to defendant Laurie Voight (“Laurie”) from 2008 to 2015.  Section 9 of the couple’s Marital Settlement Agreement (“MSA”) stipulated that each party waived any interest in the other’s retirement benefits.  Section 2.2 of the MSA […]

In re Jones, Docket No. A-2944-21 (N.J. Super. App. Div. Nov., 14, 2023) Michael Jones (“Decedent”) was married to Jeanine Jones (“Jeanine”) in 1990.  The couple divorced in January 2018.  The Decedent and Jeanine’s Divorce Settlement Agreement (“DSA”) stipulated, in relevant part, that any retirement and bank accounts would be retained by the party in […]

In re Estate of Dornic, Docket No. 2414-21 (N.J. Super. App. Div. Feb. 27, 2024) This case concerns a complaint that was dismissed under the doctrine of laches.  The Appellate Division affirmed. Olga Dornic (“Decedent”) died intestate on February 3, 2008.  The Decedent was never married, had no children, and left no living parents, siblings, […]

Roik v. Roik, Docket No. A-2522-21 (N.J. Super. App. Div. Nov. 27, 2023) In August 2020, plaintiff Paul Roik (“Paul”) filed for divorce from defendant Anita Roik (“Anita”), his spouse of 46 years.  The couple had three children together, all of whom are adults.  In 2013, long before filing for divorce, Paul had executed a […]

In re Estate of Bardizbanian, Docket No. A-3370-21 (N.J. Super. App. Div. Mar. 5, 2024) Siran Bardizbanian (“Decedent”) died on March 9, 2021.  Decedent’s daughter, Maggie, sought to reject Decedent’s November 6, 2000 will (“2000 Will”), which disinherited her.  Decedent’s son, Gary, was a proponent of the 2000 Will, of which he was the named […]

In re Estate of Susan L. Kittler, No. J-A20028-23, 2023 PA Super 180 (Pa. Super. Sept. 25, 2023) This case focuses on a will that was prepared and executed during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Lancaster County Register of Wills denied the will for probate, determining that the document was not executed properly […]

The famed saxophonist of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band died in 2011 from a stroke.  Clemons, oftentimes called the “Big Man”, established a trust to control his assets when he died.  Specifically, the trust required that the rights to his name and likeness be managed by the trust until his youngest son, Jarod, reached age […]