Christie Signs Digital Fiduciary Act

On September 13, 2017, Governor Chris Christie signed legislation recognizing a fiduciary heir’s right to obtain control of a decedent’s digital assets.  The “Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act” authorizes an executor, agent, guardian, or trustee, under certain circumstances, to manage electronic records of decedent, principal, incapacitated person, or trust creator.

NJ District Court Finds Defendants Lacked Good Cause to Amend Answer Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 16

Callas v. Callas, 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 127547 (D.N.J. Aug. 11, 2017). Plaintiff William Dean Callas (“William”) brought an action against his siblings, the executors of his mother’s estate, to settle a dispute over the value of their mother’s ownership in a real estate holding company in which he held a 60% interest. The Operating Agreement included a provision which stated that “on the passing of a member, the personal representative(s) of the deceased member may give notice requiring the other member to purchase the deceased member’s interest in [the LLC].” Id. at *2. 

NJ Appellate Division Addresses The Nature Of Distributions From An Estate

Pennsylvania Orphans’ Court Affirms Ruling: Petitioner Failed To Establish Lack Of Capacity

Newly Enacted Law Provides for Voluntary Discharge

Anthony La Ratta Appointed Chair of American Bar Association Group