Even though she searched for the Wills’ testators, a New York lawyer can’t dispose of the documents according to an ethics opinion by the New York State Bar Association.  The Jan. 23 ethics opinion says the Wills are property, “and the lawyer must safeguard the Wills indefinitely” even though some of the wills were prepared more than […]

Archer Partner and Co-Chair of the firm’s Estates and Trusts Department, Steven K. Mignogna, was quoted in this CNBC article by financial reporter Sarah O’Brien, ‘This is What Happens to Unpaid Debts When a Person Passes Away.’

Melissa Dibble will speak at the American Bar Association’s 32nd Annual Real Property, Trust & Estate Law National CLE Conference – The Virtual Experience 2020 (May 14-15).   Melissa will be on a panel presenting on “Toss the Blue-Backs and Sealing Wax, Electronic Wills Are Here! Or Are They?” on May 14th.  For more information on the conference and to register, […]

POSTPONED It is our hope that this message finds you and your families safe and well. Out of an abundance of caution, we are postponing our May 5th Estate Litigation Seminar until further notice. Our clients and friends are welcome to stay updated in the meantime by visiting our blog at www.archerestatelaw.com. We appreciate your […]

Archer partner Steven K. Mignogna has authored Estate and Trust Litigation 2020, the fully updated, comprehensive third edition of the authoritative text on New Jersey probate litigation. The book is now available from the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education. Surrogates and Probate Judges across New Jersey have relied regularly on the prior editions of this treatise. A […]

When: Thursday, February 27, 2020 | 1:00pm-2:30pm EST Where: Live Webinar Archer Faculty: Melissa Osorio Dibble, Esq. Overview: This CLE webinar will guide estate planning counsel on minimizing and defending breach of fiduciary duty claims when administering trusts and estates. The experienced panelists will discuss the most contentious breach of duty claims and effective defenses […]

Archer partner Steven K. Mignogna has been appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation. The Foundation, formed in memory of Alicia Rose DiNatale of Voorhees, N.J., who died at age 17 from a rare form of childhood cancer, provides adolescent programs and activities to enhance the quality of life for […]

(Click here for printable PDF) Under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), a retirement plan participant may file a breach of fiduciary duty claim against a plan fiduciary within 6 years from the date of the breach. If more than 6 years passes, they can no longer bring that claim. This is known as […]

A lawyer who killed his wife claimed that his status as the surviving spouse protected him from being sued by the estate for wrongful death – the Georgia appeals court disagreed. The court said his “argument ignores the fact that he caused his wife’s death, and the law doesn’t authorize a surviving spouse to benefit […]

The late Cars frontman Ric Ocasek made no provision for his wife Paulina Porizkova in his Last Will and Testament because, among other things, the two were in the midst of a divorce. His estate is governed by New York law, which might allow Ms. Porizkova to claim her elective share. Had they been New […]