HomeArchiveArchive Will Disputes,Commonwealth of VirginiaAmbiguity in Real Property Provisions in Virginia WillsSeptember 2024 No Contest ClauseVirginia Does Not Recognize the “Good Faith Exception” for No Contest ClausesAugust 2024 No Contest ClauseThe Burden of Proof When Using the Alternative-Pleading Model in Hunter v. HunterApril 2024 Celebrity Estate Disputes,Lost WillsWhere to Search for a Missing WillDecember 2023 Commonwealth of VirginiaVirginia’s Harmless Error Rule May Permit a Will that Doesn’t Meet the Conventional Formalities to be ProbatedJune 2023 Commonwealth of VirginiaAppeals from the General District CourtMarch 2023 Fiduciary DutiesStatute of Limitations for Breach of Fiduciary Duty ActionsFebruary 2023 Will Disputes,Trust Disputes,New Laws2022 Year in Review for Trust and Estate DisputesDecember 2022 Will Disputes,Commonwealth of VirginiaLegal Standing to Contest Inter Vivos Transactions in VirginiaAugust 2022 Undue InfluenceVirginia Has A New Standard For Undue Influence In Will Contest CasesMay 2022 No Contest ClauseWhen Does a Trust Become Irrevocable? At the Settlor’s Death, or Upon the Settlor’s Loss of Capacity? Hunter v. Hunter’s Discussion of the ConceptApril 2022 Will Disputes,Commonwealth of Virginia,Court Opinions,Legal TerminologyMust a Will/Codicil be Signed? Virginia Court Finds an Unsigned Codicil to be ValidFebruary 2022 Commonwealth of Virginia,New Laws,Legal TerminologyMore Lawsuits Coming?: Virginia’s General Assembly Increases the Jurisdictional Limits in Virginia’s General District Courts for Certain Personal Injury ClaimsJanuary 2022 No Contest ClauseNo Contest Clauses and Challenges to Beneficiary Designations, Account Titlings, Gifts, or Powers of Attorney: Hunter v. Hunter’s Discussion of the ConceptNovember 2021 No Contest Clause,Commonwealth of Virginia,Court OpinionsThe Supreme Court of Virginia Hands Down a New Decision on the Applicability of a No Contest Clause in a TrustSeptember 2021 General,Court Opinions,Fiduciary Accounting,Fiduciary DutiesTrustee Accounting Requirements and Duties in Virginia: Hunter v. Hunter’s Discussion of the ConceptJune 2021 No Contest Clause“Gift Over” and No Contest Clauses: Hunter v. Hunter’s Discussion of the ConceptDecember 2020 Will Disputes,Family Disputes,Life EstateA Life Estate or Something Else? The Virginia Supreme Court Adds Some Clarity on the Creation and Scope of Life Estates in VirginiaAugust 2020 No Contest ClauseNo Contest Clauses Protecting Fiduciary Misconduct: Hunter v. Hunter’s Discussion of the ConceptJuly 2020 Power of Attorney Disputes,Fiduciary DutiesVirginia Supreme Court Upholds Judgment Against Power of Attorney Agent for Breach of Fiduciary DutyMay 2020 Celebrity Estate Disputes,Beneficiary DesignationWho Would Inherit the Emperor’s Estate?April 2020 No Contest ClauseNo Contest Clauses Are Strictly Construed: Hunter v. Hunter’s Discussion of the ConceptApril 2020 No Contest ClauseVirginia Supreme Court Issues Significant New Decision on No Contest Clauses (Hunter v. Hunter)April 2020 Guardianships & Conservatorships,No Contest ClauseEstate Litigation Predictions for 2020January 2020 Will Disputes,GiftsPublic Policy Limits on Wills – May a Will Condition a Bequest on a Beneficiary’s Obtaining a Divorce?November 2019 General,Trust Disputes,Court Opinions,Fiduciary AccountingVirginia Supreme Court Issues New Ruling Regarding Commissioner of AccountsOctober 2019 Will Disputes,Disinheriting Family Members,Legal TerminologyPrior Correspondence: A Key Tool in Preparing Your Estate Dispute Case for TrialAugust 2019 Will DisputesWhat Happens When a Will’s Language is Inconsistent with the Titling of an Account Held with Survivorship?July 2019 GeneralRecovering Attorney’s Fees in Power of Attorney Litigation: Virginia General Assembly Passes New Law Permitting the Recovery of FeesJune 2019 Undue InfluenceJury Instructions on Undue Influence: Virginia Supreme Court Clarifies the LawApril 2019 General,Elective share,New LawsMatters of Style: Spouse’s Elective Share Suit Dismissed for Naming the Wrong PartyJanuary 2019 GeneralVirginia Supreme Court Clarifies Remedies In Power Of Attorney LawsuitsNovember 2018 General,Will Disputes,New LawsA Bewildering Bequest: The Supreme Court of Virginia Weighs in on the Meaning of a Will’s Residuary ClauseOctober 2018 General,Will Disputes,Court OpinionsVirginia Supreme Court Issues New Opinion on the Standard to Admit a Will to ProbateAugust 2018 Trust Disputes,New Laws,GiftsLegislative Update: Virginia’s General Assembly Acts to Reduce Inconsistencies between Revocable Living Trusts and WillsJuly 2018 Undue Influence,No Contest ClauseHow to Disinherit a Child: 5 Tips to do so SuccessfullyJune 2018 General,Guardianships & Conservatorships,Undue InfluenceRaise It or Waive It? When Parties in Estate Litigation Must Raise (or Waive) Testamentary Capacity/Undue Influence ClaimsMay 2018 Celebrity Estate Disputes,Family DisputesWho Would Inherit Luke Skywalker’s Estate?March 2018 Will Disputes,Trust Disputes,Preventing DisputesDoctors Notes for Will Signings: Should You Get One?March 2018 General,Disinheriting Family Members,Fiduciary DutiesUndue Influence in Virginia: Does the Undue Influencer Have to Be a Beneficiary?February 2018 No Contest Clause,Trust Protectors4 Estate Litigation Predictions For 2018January 2018 Commonwealth of Virginia,Trust DisputesThe Role of the Commissioner of Accounts in Virginia Estate and Trust AdministrationDecember 2017 General,Divorce,Elective shareI Do…I Do…Wait, Did We?: The Virginia Supreme Court Weighs in on the Timing of Marriage Licenses and CeremoniesNovember 2017 Celebrity Estate Disputes,Premarital Agreement DisputesAlan Thicke Estate Dispute Highlights Pre-litigation ThreatsOctober 2017 Undue InfluenceVirginia Supreme Court Issues New Estate Dispute OpinionAugust 2017 General,New Laws,Court Opinions,Preventing DisputesLegal Malpractice Claims Against Estate Planning Attorneys in Virginia: Post-Thorsen LegislationAugust 2017 General,Long Term Care Facilities,Family DisputesBe Careful With That Power of Attorney!: Arbitration Clauses and Nursing Home LawsuitsJune 2017 General,Trust Disputes,Decanting,Fiduciary Duties,Trust DecantingTrust Decanting DisputesMay 2017 Trust ProtectorsTrustee Removal Lawsuits: An OverviewMay 2017 General,Will Disputes,Contract to Make a Will,Preventing DisputesPractical Tips Regarding Oral Contracts to Make WillsMarch 2017 Commonwealth of Virginia,Court Opinions,Family DisputesUPDATE: Can an Intended (and Disappointed) Beneficiary Still Sue a Will’s Drafter?: The General Assembly of Virginia Enacts a Statutory Fix to the Thorsen DecisionMarch 2017 General,Will Disputes,Contract to Make a Will,Preventing DisputesOral Contracts to Make WillsFebruary 2017 General,Will Disputes,New Laws,Preventing Disputes10 Arguments Against Pre-Death (Antemortem) Probate and Will ContestsJanuary 2017 General,Divorce,Commonwealth of Virginia,Court Opinions,Family Disputes,Gifts,Legal TerminologyLeft At The Altar?: Who Owns The Engagement Ring When Love Goes Wrong?January 2017 Celebrity Estate Disputes,Elective share,Disinheriting Family Members,Preventing DisputesTop Four Estate Disputes from 2016December 2016 General,Will Disputes,Elective share,Disinheriting Family MembersChanges To Elective Share Law in Virginia Will Lead To More LitigationDecember 2016 General,Will Disputes,Disinheriting Family Members,Family DisputesA Post-Mortem, Spousal Surprise: Can My Husband Write Me Out of His Will?November 2016 General,Will Disputes,Family Disputes,Preventing DisputesDo It Yourself Wills: Will They Lead to More Litigation?November 2016 Guardianships & Conservatorships,Long Term Care FacilitiesGuardianship Petitions by Long Term Care FacilitiesOctober 2016 Celebrity Estate Disputes,Slayer Rule,Disinheriting Family Members,Family DisputesWho Would Inherit Darth Vader’s Estate?September 2016 General,Elder Abuse,Elder Law Disputes,Preventing DisputesRecognizing Signs of Elder Abuse (and Traits of Elder Abusers)August 2016 General,Commonwealth of Virginia,Beneficiary Designation,Court Opinions,Preventing DisputesRisks to Estate Planning Attorneys in Light of the Thorsen CaseJuly 2016 General,Will Disputes,Commonwealth of Virginia,Beneficiary Designation,Court Opinions,Preventing DisputesUnfulfilled Expectations: May an Intended (and Disappointed) Beneficiary Sue a Will’s Drafter?July 2016 Guardianships & Conservatorships,Commonwealth of Virginia,Legal TerminologyVirginia Supreme Court Issues New Ruling Regarding Guardianship OrdersJune 2016 General,Commonwealth of Virginia,Power of Attorney Disputes,Elder Law Disputes,Fiduciary DutiesMisconduct Remedies Against an Agent Under a Power of AttorneyMay 2016 Celebrity Estate Disputes,Lost Wills,Family Disputes,Preventing Disputes3 Strange Things About Prince’s EstateMay 2016 General,Commonwealth of Virginia,Power of Attorney Disputes,Elder Law Disputes,Fiduciary DutiesDuties of an Agent Under a Power of AttorneyApril 2016 Trust Protectors,Commonwealth of Virginia,Trust Disputes,Fiduciary DutiesThe Rise of Litigation Involving Trust ProtectorsApril 2016 Guardianships & ConservatorshipsGuardianships for Disabled Young AdultsMarch 2016 Will Disputes,Trust Disputes,Elder Law Disputes,Preventing Disputes4 Steps To Take If An Estate Dispute Is BrewingMarch 2016 Celebrity Estate Disputes,Slayer Rule,Commonwealth of Virginia,Beneficiary Designation,Family DisputesThe Fictional Fight Over Han Solo’s EstateFebruary 2016 No Contest Clause,Commonwealth of Virginia,Trust Disputes“No Contest” Clauses Part 3: The Rafalko Dissenting OpinionsJanuary 2016 No Contest Clause,Commonwealth of Virginia,Trust Disputes“No Contest” Clauses Pt. 2: The Rafalko Majority OpinionJanuary 2016 No Contest Clause,Commonwealth of Virginia,Trust DisputesYes, Virginia, There Is A “No Contest” ClauseNovember 2015 General,Will Disputes,Disinheriting Family Members,Elder Law Disputes,Family DisputesTop 10 Ways To Be Disinherited (And How To Avoid That) (Part 2)November 2015 General,Will Disputes,Disinheriting Family Members,Elder Law Disputes,Family DisputesTop 10 Ways To Be Disinherited (And How To Avoid That) (Part 1)October 2015 General,Will Disputes,Trust DisputesReptile Theory and Estate LitigationSeptember 2015 Undue InfluenceConfronting Caretaker Abuse & MisconductAugust 2015 Lost Wills,Commonwealth of VirginiaLost Wills: What To Do When The Original Can’t Be FoundJuly 2015 Lost Wills,Will Disputes,Commonwealth of Virginia,Family DisputesVirginia Supreme Court Issues New Ruling Regarding Missing WillsJune 2015 Divorce,Commonwealth of Virginia,Beneficiary Designation,Preventing DisputesTill Death Do Us Part. . . or at Least Until the Divorce Becomes FinalJune 2015 Preventing DisputesTips For Successful Succession PlanningJune 2015 Celebrity Estate Disputes,Slayer Rule,Disinheriting Family Members,Family DisputesB.B. King’s Estate: Murder Allegations and the Slayer RuleJune 2015 Undue Influence,Celebrity Estate Disputes,Disinheriting Family MembersThe Ernie Banks Will Dispute Highlights Potential Concerns About CaregiversMay 2015 Expert Witnesses,Commonwealth of Virginia,New Laws,Court OpinionsDaubert In Virginia State Court: Where Do Things Stand Now?May 2015 General,Will Disputes,Trust DisputesUse Checklists to Avoid a Will DisputeApril 2015 General,Will Disputes,Court OpinionsRuling Highlights the Need for Testamentary Intent for Holographic CodicilApril 2015 Prudent Investor ActTrustees Should Avoid BitcoinApril 2015 Celebrity Estate Disputes,Trust DisputesRobin Williams Trust Dispute Highlights Importance of Precise DraftingMarch 2015 Expert Witnesses,Commonwealth of Virginia,New LawsNew Ruling Has Implications for Expert Witnesses in Estate Litigation MattersMarch 2015 Undue InfluenceRecognizing Signs of Undue InfluenceMarch 2015 Undue Influence,Family DisputesWhy You Should Avoid Filming a Will SigningFebruary 2015 Celebrity Estate Disputes,Power of Attorney Disputes,Elder Law Disputes,Fiduciary DutiesWaiting for Atticus FinchFebruary 2015 Guardianships & Conservatorships,Undue InfluenceWhy a Guardianship Proceeding Could be a Precursor to a Will ChangeJanuary 2015 General,Legal TerminologyUsing “Nonmarital Child” Instead of “Illegitimate Child”January 2015 General,Will Disputes,Trust Disputes,Family Disputes,Fiduciary DutiesPerfect Estate Plans (On Paper) Can Still Lead to LitigationJanuary 2015 General,Power of Attorney DisputesHow To Snoop On An Agent’s Actions Under a Power of AttorneyJanuary 2015 Undue Influence,Commonwealth of Virginia,New LawsNew Law Enables Possible Recovery Of Attorney’s Fees On Grounds Of Undue InfluenceJanuary 2015 GeneralWelcome to the Estate Conflicts Blog!January 2015
