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.

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.