Probate

Sanction against Northwestern law prof affirmed by 10th Circuit

A federal appeals court has affirmed a $5,000 sanction against a professor at the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law for seeking to remove a state court motion to federal court, finding no abuse of discretion by a federal judge who imposed it.

Oct 31, 2024 2:45 PM CDT

Friend’s compassion—even in death—inspired my own ‘David’s Will’

Sometimes in life we are fortunate to meet someone who dedicates everything to a higher calling. For me, this person was David Breaux. While he had few financial resources, David was, by every measure that counts, a rich man.

Oct 2, 2024 2:11 PM CDT

Judge not hearing cases after allegedly calling herself ‘a new racist’ in secret recordings

A probate judge in Michigan was removed from her docket following the release of recordings in which she allegedly called herself “a new racist,” made derogatory remarks about Black people and used a gay slur.

Sep 10, 2024 12:52 PM CDT

Taking Care of Your ‘Good Boy’: Pet trusts ensure animals live a good life after owner dies

Most dog moms and cat dads accept the hard truth that they will likely outlive their beloved animals. But what happens when pets outlive their humans?

Sep 4, 2024 11:03 AM CDT

Judge reprimanded for false ‘elder abuse’ claim on Facebook in spat over guardianship case

An Ohio judge has received a public reprimand for inaccurately asserting on Facebook that an elderly woman was removed from her home because of its “deplorable conditions” and her son’s failure to take care of her.

Aug 22, 2024 8:43 AM CDT

Rule change to allow paraprofessionals to offer limited legal services proposed by top Texas court

The Texas Supreme Court is seeking comment on a proposal that would allow qualified nonlawyers to provide some legal services to low-income Texans.

Aug 7, 2024 10:19 AM CDT

David Boies can’t ignore clients’ liability releases by ‘simply invoking’ name ‘Epstein,’ sanctions bid says

Co-executors of the estate of convicted sex offender and multimillionaire financier Jeffrey Epstein are seeking sanctions against two Boies Schiller Flexner leaders for filing a proposed class action lawsuit against them, even though the lead plaintiff and other victims had signed “ironclad” liability releases in return for “massive monetary payouts.”

Apr 10, 2024 12:35 PM CDT

New California law placing unhoused individuals with addictions in conservatorships faces questions

Anyone deemed to be “gravely disabled” or suffering from a significant substance abuse disorder can be placed into a conservatorship and institutionalized for an initial 72-hour hold. Longer placements can also happen.

Apr 1, 2024 12:40 AM CDT

Probate lawyer says he’s out of money and trying to withdraw from cases of 800-plus clients

A probate lawyer in Tampa, Florida, who abruptly closed his law firm told a judge Friday that he’s been trying “as diligently as possible” to file withdrawal motions in cases for more than 800 clients.

Jan 17, 2024 2:32 PM CST

Northwestern law prof’s $5K charitable donation isn’t substitute for attorney fees sanction, federal judge says

A law professor’s $5,000 charitable donation can’t take the place of attorney fees that he was ordered to pay for wrongly seeking to remove a probate motion to federal court, a federal judge in Colorado ruled Monday.

Jan 11, 2024 2:29 PM CST

Proposal for licensed paraprofessionals in Texas gains steam with commission support

The Texas Access to Justice Commission is supporting a proposal to license paraprofessionals to provide legal services to low-income residents.

Dec 20, 2023 12:30 PM CST

Less-expensive transfer on death instruments become more popular in Chicago

An increasing number of homeowners in Cook County, Illinois, which includes Chicago, are using transfer on death instruments to help their heirs avoid a “tangled title” that has to be resolved in a time-consuming probate process.

Nov 30, 2023 11:25 AM CST

Elder law attorney sues guardianship reform advocate for alleged libel

A Tampa, Florida, attorney has been granted leave to file an amended complaint in his libel lawsuit against the founder of a guardianship reform group for his alleged comments about “predatory attorneys” and probate litigators lying in court.

Sep 1, 2023 10:19 AM CDT

Law school clinics tackle challenging issue of heirs’ property rights

Heirs’ property is a name given to a home or land left to family members without an effective deed or will. With no clear title proving ownership, it can be difficult for descendants to sell or lease their property, build equity, or take advantage of homeowner assistance funds or disaster relief.

May 30, 2023 8:14 AM CDT

Northwestern law prof’s federal case is ‘the definition of vexatious and wasteful,’ judge says in ordering sanction

A federal judge in Colorado has ordered a professor at the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law to pay attorney fees as a sanction for a federal action that is “the definition of vexatious and wasteful.”

Apr 11, 2023 8:43 AM CDT