In re Estate of Jones, 259 N.J. 584 (N.J. 2025) The central issue was whether an ex-spouse’s rights as the pay-on-death beneficiary on her deceased ex-husband’s U.S. savings bonds were superseded by the parties’ divorce. Michael Jones (“Decedent”) was married to Jeanine Jones (“Jeanine”) in 1990.  The couple divorced in January 2018.  The Decedent and […]

In re Estate of Nigito, No. A-2013-22, 2024 WL 5233136 (N.J. Super. App. Div. Dec. 27, 2024). This matter arose from a challenge by Ann Mae Nigito (“Ann Mae”), daughter of the decedent, Paul Nigito (“Paul”), regarding the funding of a generation-skipping trust (“GST”) created under Paul’s will.  The GST benefitted Paul’s wife, Antionette, during […]

Bartek v. LoSapio, No. A-3022-21, 2025 WL 37451 (N.J. Super. App. Div. Jan. 7, 2025) This case deals with a codicil’s validity that does not reference the decedent’s most recent Last Will and Testament.  The Appellate Division was not concerned with the error, even if the error constituted a deficiency in the formality of a […]

Fountain Plaza, LLC, v. Petrock’s Liquors, Inc., No. A-1522-23, 2024 WL 4822646 (N.J. Super. App. Div. Nov. 19, 2024) The Chancery Division, relying on R. 1:21-1(c) and RPC 3.7, granted defendant’s motion to disqualify plaintiff’s attorney.  Plaintiff was granted leave to file an interlocutory appeal, and the Appellate Division reversed. Plaintiff Fountain Plaza is an […]

In re Estate of Kremer, 2024 WL 4964639 (N.J. Super. Dec. 4, 2024) This case deals with revocation of wills and related points. Bonnie Levine executed a will in 1992.  The will named Bonnie’s sisters, Pamela McGinnis and Patrice Berman, as executrix and contingent executrix, respectively. In 1997, Bonnie married Joseph Kremer. The couple had […]

Mooney v. Convery, Nos. A-1576-22, A-1577-22 (N.J. Super. App. Div. Nov. 13, 2024) This case came before the Appellate Division after the trial court awarded attorney fees but directed payment only after the defendant fully satisfied the judgment, rather than from a fund in court under Rule 4:42-9(a)(2). John J. Mooney passed away on June […]

Nolasco v. Estate of Nolasco, Docket No. A-3176-22, 2024 WL 4563243 (N.J. Super. App. Div. Oct. 24, 2024)   This matter concerns a quiet title claim brought against the estate (“Estate”) of Otilio Nolasco (“Otilio” or “decedent”) by plaintiff Jose Nolasco (“Jose”) concerning real estate in North Plainfield, New Jersey. The Estate appealed two orders: […]

Ventre v. Balsamo, 2024 WL 4749519, (N.J. Super. App. Div. Nov. 12, 2024) This matter came before the Appellate Division because the trial court found the plaintiff’s legal malpractice against claim against Arthur Balsamo, Esquire (“Attorney”) barred under the entire controversy doctrine and the doctrine of collateral estoppel.  The Appellate Division affirmed the Law Division’s […]

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 […]

In re Estate of Kenneth C. Haugh, 2024 WL 4664488 (Pa. Super. Nov. 4, 2024) This matter came before the Superior Court on appeal from the Orphans’ Court granting declaratory judgment in favor of Deborah Haugh, wife of testator Kenneth Haugh, after she died in October 2022.  The primary issues decided on appeal were whether […]