In re Estate of Mark A. Rayner, Docket No. A-2619-20 (N.J. Super. App. Div. Nov. 9, 2023) This matter concerns a will contest between Carol Petty, the decedent’s sister, and Colleen Kelly-Rayner, the decedent’s widow.  Carol appealed three orders entered by the trial court: (1) granting summary judgment in favor of Colleen that awarded her […]

In the Matter of A.H., Docket No. A-2782-21 (N.J. Super. App. Div. Nov. 28, 2023) This case addressed an array of issues involving guardianships and divorce. A.H. and T.H. were married in New Jersey in 1987.  A.H. originally filed a complaint for divorce in 2012 but that was dismissed by a consent order in 2017. […]

In the Matter of Estate of Jones, No. A-2944-21, 2023 WL 7509426 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. Nov. 14, 2023) This case reflects the intersection between estate disputes and divorce.  Defendant Jeanine Jones (“Jeanine”) appealed from an April 23, 2020 trial court order granting partial summary judgment and dismissing her creditor’s claim against the estate […]

In the Matter of A.H., Docket No. A-2782-21 (N.J. Super. App. Div. Nov. 28, 2023) This case addressed an array of issues involving guardianships and divorce. A.H. and T.H. were married in New Jersey in 1987.  A.H. originally filed a complaint for divorce in 2012 but that was dismissed by a consent order in 2017. […]

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 […]

Jones v. Jones, 103 Mass. App. Ct. 223 (2023) This case is another chapter in ongoing interplay of trusts and divorce proceedings between husband and wife. The wife’s mother made a variety of financial gifts and contributions throughout the years, including, but not limited to, settling a trust for the wife’s benefit (the “JJIT”). More […]

McFadden v. Pentagon Federal Credit Union, No. A-3538-20, 2023 WL 4777219 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. July 27, 2023) This case illustrates how parties must stay wary of the applicable statute of limitations.  McFadden at *1.  The appellant, Joseph – nephew of the decedent, Joan McFadden (the “decedent”) – appealed an order granting Morgan Stanley […]

In re Grompone, No. A-0563-22, 2023 WL 4926145 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. August 2, 2023) Helen Paglinawan – the sister of Marie Grompone, an incapacitated person – appealed the trial court’s approval of a consent order and the denial of her motion to intervene in the litigation.  Grompone at *1, 4. Helen instituted a […]

Harry Kuskin 2008 Irrevocable Tr. By Dworkin v. PNC Fin. Grp., Inc., No. A-1937-21, 2023 WL 4693141 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. July 24, 2023) This case focuses mainly on a bank’s immunity under the Uniform Fiduciaries Law (“UFL”).  N.J.S.A. § 3B:14-52 to -61. Plaintiffs were the Harry Kuskin 2018 Irrevocable Trust (“HKIT”) and the […]

Jemison v. Jemison, No. 21-1805, 2022 WL 2383611 (3d Cir. July 1, 2022) William Jemison and Michael Jemison were officers and members of the Board of Directors for Heyco, Inc. (“Heyco”), and co-trustees and beneficiaries to the Jemison Family Trust (“Trust”).  Their brother, Steven Jemison (“Steven”), a former shareholder of Heyco and a co-trustee and […]