Estate Planning

The Attorney as Executor
I?ve discussed the ethical ramifications of the attorney as beneficiary. Now let?s discuss the ethical ramifications of the attorney as Executor. May an attorney advise a client to nominate the attorney as the Executor in the client?s Will? If not, is there ever a time where the attorney can be nominated [...

NYSBA on the expanding role of lawyers
This week's Daily Record column is entitled "NYSBA on the expanding role of lawyers." A pdf of the article can be found here and my past Daily Record articles can be accessed here. ***** NYSBA on the expanding role of lawyers The New York State Bar Association is concerned about the future of the legal profession...

How Much Information Should the Executor Give
It's always interesting when I'm facing the same situation in two different cases but from opposite perspectives. That's where I find myself with respect to the following issue: beneficiary (child of X) has questions about the actions taken by executor (also child of X) before X's death, as an agent under X's power of attorney The question is, to account or not to account? By which I mean, does the executor take the time to prepare an accounting of his or her actions as agent for the beneficiary? In Illinois, such an accounting is not required -- in order to obtain it, the beneficiary would have to file a citation action...

Serving The Dead
A Massachusetts attorney was suspended for six months and one day for serving a summary judgment motion on opposing counsel of record. The problem? He knew that counsel of record had recently died...

Do you know where your Will is
I often meet with clients who have Wills that were drawn up 20, or more, years ago.  Usually the clients have copies of the Will and the originals are with the attorney who drafted the Will...

Nine solid rules for good contract drafting from a Plain English general counsel
A presenter at a conference shared his company?s emphasis on the use of ?plain English? in the drafting of contracts and other documents. The general counsel itemized his company?s basic rules of contract drafting: 1...

Power of Attorney and Living Wills for the aged
Options for caring for aging parents

Estate Planning
Documents: durable power of attorney, living will, letter of instruction, and insurance trust

Grandparents Visitation Rights
Every state lets elderly grandparents petition to visit grandchildren

Living Wills and Powers of Attorney
Laws effecting the elderly

Lawyer Jokes
Law Humor

How to Select a Divorce Attorney
Select a counselor carefully

Whole Foods
And Other Firms Sued by California Attorney General,

State Farm
Settles with Mississippi Attorney General

Ticketmaster Entertainment
Settles with New Jersey Attorney General

Inflated Drug Prices
Dey LP pays $198,000 settlement to Montana Attorney General.

DUI/DWI
If you have been arrested for drunk driving or driving under the influence you should contact an attorney immediately.

Criminal Law
If you have been arrested or mistreated by police you should speak to a criminal law attorney.