When in Doubt: A Trial Lawyer’s Call for Caution When it Comes to Remote Signings

States across the country took steps to permit remote execution of estate planning documents.  In some instances, remote notarization and witness attestation are temporary conveniences, but as more drafters utilize these accommodations, the question becomes one of longevity: are these changes here to stay?  And if so, the question for this attorney becomes one of […]

Merrill April 20, 2021 NH Supreme Court Opinion

This order is offered  for educational purposes only. References to law and rules may not be current or accurate.  Counsel must evaluate whether the pleading has utility in a given case.  I am always happy to try to answer general questions of fellow counsel about law and practice and can be reached via the information […]

Beneficiary Disinherited Under No Contest Clause For Filing Claim Dismissed Under Statute of Limitations

Illustrating NH’s strict enforcement of trust and will no-contest clauses, the Probate Court in Volpe v. Volpe ordered that a beneficiary’s filing of a claim that did not survive a motion to dismiss requires his disinheritance under the terms of the trust.  As discussed in a prior post, the trustee whom we represent provided beneficiaries […]

Volpe February 25, 2021 NH Probate Court Order

This Order is offered for educational purposes only.  References to law and rules may not be current or accurate.  Counsel must evaluate whether the Order has utility in a given case.  I am always happy to try to answer general questions of fellow counsel about law and practice and can be reached via the information […]

NH Supreme Court Holds Will’s Choice of Law Provision Does Not Control Pretermitted Heir Claim

Congratulations to Nadine Catalfimo and Lisa Bellanti for their win in In re Estate of Marie G. Dow in which the Court held that NH law governs a pretermitted heir claim, notwithstanding that the will recites that the estate is “to be administered and enforced according to the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”  The decision […]

Court Enforces Accelerated Trust Contest SOL

The MA and NH Trust Codes offer trustees important opportunities to reduce the statutes of limitations/repose (SOL) for actions to contest trust validity.  For a revocable trust that becomes irrevocable at death, the default limitations/repose period for contesting trust validity is one year in MA and three years in NH, both running from the settlor’s […]