Estates & Trusts

Mediated a lawsuit to enforce contract to make a will. Defendant, a disabled, elderly, wealthy widower. Plaintiffs, distant relatives of widower. Plaintiffs claimed defendant promised he would leave his considerable estate to them if they moved to California and cared for him for the remainder of his life. Defendant cross complained for elder abuse and breach of fiduciary duty.

Mediated a complicated and bitter dispute among family members concerning real estate investments. Elderly mother sued her son’s estate and his widow for an accounting of family real estate portfolio worth $18 million on his death. Mother won a $4.5 million judgment at trial and thereafter widow/executor took various steps in probate to avoid the judgment. I mediated the dispute at that stage.