Monthly Archives: July 2016
Risks to Estate Planning Attorneys in Light of the Thorsen Case
There are several things that all estate planning attorneys (and those who advise them) need to be aware of in light of the Virginia Supreme Court’s recent ruling in Thorsen v. Richmond Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty to Animals, No. 150528, 2016 WL 3131004 (Va. 2016). My colleague Brett Herbert provided a helpful summary of the Court’s ruling in Thorsen in a prior blog post, which can be accessed here. This post shares some tips on how estate planning attorneys can attempt to minimize their legal exposure in light of the Thorsen ruling. Estate planning attorneys would be wise to insert into …
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Unfulfilled Expectations: May an Intended (and Disappointed) Beneficiary Sue a Will’s Drafter?
Imagine the following scenario. Your elderly mother, your only surviving parent, wants to have a discussion with you about her estate plan. She shows you her will and explains her intentions. You look at the will and it seems to make sense. She tells you she is leaving her estate to you upon her death. She even provides you with a copy of her will and tells you where the original is. You feel peace of mind knowing that your mother’s estate is (or should) be in order. A short time later, your mother dies. You have no idea what …
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