Iconic musician Bob Marley did not have a will when he died in 1981, at just age 36.  Mr. Marley believed that executing a Will was against his Rastafarian beliefs.  After his death, it took over ten years for Jamaican courts to administer Mr. Marley’s multi-million-dollar estate between his surviving family, which included his spouse, […]

At only 53 years old, actress Anne Heche died in 2022 as a result of a car accident.  She did not execute a Will before her tragic death.  Ms. Heche’s 20-year old son, Homer Laffoon, petitioned the Los Angeles Superior Court to be appointed administrator of his mother’s estate, claiming that he and his 13-year […]

Archer is pleased to announce that Melissa Osorio Dibble has been elected by the Board of Regents of The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) as a Fellow. The honor of becoming a Fellow is one that is earned. Lawyers and law professors are elected to be Fellows based on their outstanding reputation, […]

Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of rock n’ roll legend Elvis Presley, died at age 54 on January 12, 2023.  Lisa Marie was survived by her mother, Priscilla Presley, as well as by her three children, Riley Keough (age 33), and twin 14-year old daughters, Harper and Finley.  Before she died, Lisa Marie had executed a […]

The Burlington County Surrogate released important information regarding filing in the County for probate, trust, and guardianship matters. Practitioners should carefully review the document linked here to learn more.

In re: Estate of Harriet Ross, Docket No. A-3757-20 (N.J. Super. App. Div. January 20, 2023) Defendant Jeffrey Ross (“Jeffrey”) appealed three orders: (1) an April 16, 2021, Order granting the motion to enforce a second settlement agreement filed by Plaintiff Leslie Ross (“Leslie”); (2) a May 21, 2021, Order amending the April 16, 2021, […]

Estate of Tanaka v. Kazary, 2023 WL 382310 (N.J. Super. App. Div. January 25, 2023) Sayoko Tanaka (“Tanaka”) and Keith Rosello (“Rosello”), a married couple, were tragically struck by a vehicle and killed on December 1, 2017.  Tanaka died before reaching the hospital, while Rosello lived another four months before succumbing to his extensive injuries.  […]

Authors: Steven K. Mignogna, Kelly M. Barry In re: Hekemian, Docket No. A-1774-21 (N.J. Super. App. Div. January 13, 2023) The decedent, Samuel P. Hekemian (“Decedent”), was survived by his wife and their four sons, including the plaintiff and one of the defendants.  Decedent left a Last Will and Testament (“Will”) that named the defendants […]

President Abraham Lincoln, who guided the United Stated through its bloodiest war and who is oftentimes remembered for being a shrewd lawyer and valiant leader, did not have a will in place when he was assassinated in 1865.  President Lincoln’s estate was valued at approximately $110,000 (worth millions today).  Under intestacy law at the time […]

When: February 28, 2023 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:40 p.m. EDT Where: This is a Camden County Bar Association live video webinar. Archer Faculty: Steven K. Mignogna, Anthony R. La Ratta, Donald P. Craig, and Melissa Osorio Dibble. Course Overview: Speakers will be covering the latest cases and trends on trusts and estates in general, and the following […]