Probate Litigation

A probate lawyer with extensive litigation experience

Disputes often arise in the administration of a probate estate or trust, especially if there is a lot of money involved, or if there is a history of family conflict. Whether you believe someone has exercised undue influence over your loved one to get them to change their will, or you are defending such a claim, you need an attorney with both litigation and probate experience.

Over the years, I have handled (and prevailed in) many contested probate matters, including will contests. With over 100 trials in Connecticut Superior Courts throughout the state I am as comfortable in the courtroom as I am in the conference room.

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Alternative Dispute Resolution

In addition, I have extensive experience with alternative dispute resolution methods (ADR) such as mediation and arbitration.  While I am prepared to resolve a matter in court, I know most cases are better addressed outside of the formal court process.

As a trained and experienced mediator, I am often called upon to help parties resolve their dispute.

Partial List of ADR Training:

  • Completed a 40-hour mediation program sponsored by the University of Connecticut’s Labor Education Center and Quinnipiac University Center on Dispute Resolution.
  • Completed a 40 hour divorce mediation training program run by Divorce Mediation Training Associates.
  • EEOC Employment Mediation Training.
  • AAA Arbitration Survival Training.
  • Mediating Workplace Disputes, CUNY Dispute Resolution Consortium.
  • Master Class, “Mediating the Conflict in the Room”
  • ADR Center Arbitration Training Seminar.

Trial Experience

I have prosecuted and defended cases where disgruntled relatives (and in one case two disappointed charities) have sought to throw out wills based on undue influence and lack of capacity, defended a caregiver who was named to exclusion of other relatives, petitioned for the appointment of a conservator, represented a child suing a parent for stealing money in a Uniform Gift to Minor’s account, helped a daughter establish her claim to her father’s estate when she was not included in the probate filing, among many other cases.

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What Our Clients Say

  • very satisfied

    Steve put together a will and trust for my wife and I. We were very satisfied with his work product, ethics and expediency. Steve spent a lot of time getting to know us and determining what was important to us so that he could provide the best products to meet our needs. We’d recommend Steve for these types of services.
    Chris S.
    Glastonbury, CT

  • highly recommend

    I contacted Steven after finding him on the internet. I was going on vacation and wanted to get a will done before I left as I had been putting it off for a long time. He was very prompt and had it done for me within a week. Contacted me promptly in all the dealings with my will. I would highly recommend him.
    Donna W.
    Tolland, CT

  • great to work with

    Steve was great to work with. He had great suggestions for provision for our Trust. Explained all of our options and why we might want one provision over another. I wouldn’t hesitate working with Steve in the future.
    Don T.
    East Hartford

  • pleasure to work with

    Steve is an absolute pleasure to work with. I found him to be extremely professional, knowledgeable, and responsive to every question I had. He made the process easy to understand and took the time to ensure I felt confident in every decision. I would highly recommend to anyone seeking trusted legal guidance.
    Andrea K.
    Office of the Probate Court Administrator – State of Connecticut

Get Started Today

Will you put this off until tomorrow? None of us has a crystal ball. Healthy as you may be, safe as you think you are, bad things can happen. My goal is not to provide you with an estate plan, it is to provide you with peace of mind. The peace of mind that comes from knowing that if something unexpected happens, you have a plan in place to deal with it.

You’ve waited long enough. Get started today.