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02.16.2026
Appellate Division Discusses Procedural Standards for Pleading Undue Influence
In re Estate of Olga Kolbik, Docket No. A-0782-24, 2026 WL 81510 (N.J. Super. App. Div. Jan. 12, 2026) In this matter concerning the Estate of Olga Kolbik, the Appellate Division vacated a Chancery Division judgment invalidating a 2016 will on undue influence grounds and remanded for a new trial before a different judge. The […]
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02.09.2026
New Jersey Supreme Court Addresses Standards for Legal Malpractice Actions Against Estate Planners
Christakos v. Boyadjis, 262 N.J. 477 (2026) The New Jersey Supreme Court addressed when an attorney owes a duty of care to a non-client, such that that non-client can pursue a legal malpractice case. The Court held that a drafting attorney of a will owes no duty of care to a non-client, unless there is […]
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01.12.2026
Appellate Division Reiterates the Standard for Sanctions for Frivolous Litigation
In the Matter of the Estate of Elise Morenon, No. A-0098-24, 2025 WL 3623723 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. Dec. 15, 2025) In 2013 Elise Morenon (“Testator”) retained an attorney (the “Attorney”) for estate planning. Testator identified her family, her assets and how she wanted those assets to be distributed. Testator told The Attorney she […]
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01.05.2026
Appellate Division Found the Trial Court Effectively Disinherited Defendant By Approving the Settlement Agreement
In re Estate of Sandor, No. A-0936-23, 2025 WL 3640043(N.J. Super. App. Div. Dec. 16, 2025) Ralph Sandor died in 2019. Sandor’s nephew, Anthony Russo, Sr., died after Sandor. Defendant Lottie Russo is the spouse of Russo, Sr. Anthony Russo, Jr. (Russo, Jr.) served as Sandor’s agent pursuant to a power of attorney. Lottie and […]
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Gregory J. Palakow
Greg has handled hundreds of highly specialized litigated matters in over 25 years of practice. Greg now focuses this practice by representing the rights and interests of healthcare providers, including licensed nursing home and long-term care facilities, hospital networks, rehabilitation hospitals, adult day care centers, home health agencies, ambulatory surgery centers, physician practices, fiduciaries and licensed financial institutions. This unique experience has given Greg the opportunity to successfully resolve hundreds of state and federal appeals related to regulatory enforcement and recovery actions.