Overview
Steve serves as Co-Chair of Archer's Private Wealth, Estates & Trusts Group and Chair of the firm's Estate and Trust Litigation Group. Steve focuses on commercial litigation, including litigation involving probate matters, estates, trusts, gifts, fiduciaries, guardianships, and real estate, handling cases in the state and federal courts, at both the trial and appellate levels. Representing both institutions and individuals, Steve’s clients include banks, corporate fiduciaries, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions, and real estate firms, as well as beneficiaries of estates and trusts, executors, trustees, guardians, incapacitated persons, surviving spouses, and persons having an interest in real estate.
Steve serves on the Advisory Committee of the Heckerling Institute. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) and has held several leadership roles in ACTEC, including State Chair for New Jersey; the ACTEC Board of Regents; and Chair of ACTEC’s Fiduciary Litigation Committee; and Co-Chair of its Damages Subcommittee. He is active in ACTEC in several other areas, including the Program Committee, the Joint Task Force of ACTEC and the National College of Probate Judges, and the Advisory Committee to ACTEC’s Mid-Atlantic Fellows Institute.
Active in the American Bar Association (ABA), Steve has held leadership roles in the ABA’s Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section, including Chair of the Litigation, Ethics and Malpractice Group, as well as Chair of the Group’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee and Probate and Fiduciary Litigation Committee; Section Liaison to the ABA Dispute Resolution Advisory Committee; and several administrative Committees in the Section.
Steve is a national lecturer and author. He has lectured and published for the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, the Heckerling Institute, the National College of Probate Judges, the New Jersey Bar Association, the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, the American Law Institute Continuing Legal Education Group, the American Bar Association, the Duke University Estate Planning Conference, the Delaware Trust Conference, and Estate Planning Councils around the country. He authors the treatise, Estate and Trust Litigation, and is the editor and contributing author of The New Jersey Estate Planning Manual and New Jersey Probate Procedures Manual. In 2017, the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education honored him with the Distinguished Service Award. Steve is also a Senior Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, a national honorary society for trial lawyers.
Steve has been with Archer since 1988, when he joined the firm as a law clerk. He remains active in various charitable and community organizations, including the Philly Pops, Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation, the Chevaliers du Tastevin, and the Knights of Columbus. In 2021, he was honored by the Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation as a Community Champion. In 2020, Steve was recognized by the Camden County Bar Association as the Professional Lawyer of the Year, through the New Jersey Commission on Professionalism in the Law. In 2017, Steve received the Excalibur Award from the Bishop Eustace Preparatory School Alumni Association, recognizing his lifetime achievement in civic, religious, humanitarian, and professional endeavors.
- Advisory Committee, Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning
- Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC)
- State Chair, ACTEC for New Jersey
- Former Chair, ACTEC Fiduciary Litigation Committee
- ACTEC Board of Regents
- Member, ACTEC Program Committee, Joint Task Force and the National College of Probate Judges
- Member, Senior Advisory Committee, ACTEC Mid-Atlantic Fellows Institute
- American Bar Association, Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section; Chair, Litigation, Ethics and Malpractice Group; Chair, Litigation, Ethics and Malpractice Group Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee; Chair, Probate and Fiduciary Litigation Committee; Section Liaison to the ABA Dispute Resolution Advisory Committee; and Groups and Substantive Committees Advisor
- Professional Member, National College of Probate Judges
- Senior Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America, The Trial Lawyer Honorary Society (includes membership in the Diversity Law Institute and Trial Law Institute)
- Member, Board of Directors, The Philly POPS
- Member, Board of Trustees, Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation
- Knights of Columbus
- Member, Tavistock Country Club
- Chevaliers du Tastevin
- "Challenges for Probate Judges: Trust Investments and Diversification," National College of Probate Judges Fall Journal (2020)
- Main author of the treatise, Estate and Trust Litigation
- Editor and contributing author, The New Jersey Estate Planning Manual and New Jersey Probate Procedures Manual, New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education
- "The Do's and Don'ts of Estate Planning," Rutgers Law School (November 2024)
- "Lessons Learned from Fiduciary Litigation," 2024 ACTEC Mid-Atlantic Regional Meeting (October 2024)
- "What's New?" ACTEC Mid-Atlantic State Chair Panel - Regional Meeting (October 2024)
- “Estate Litigation Update,” Mercer County Bar Association Xtreme CLE (October 2024)
- “New Estate & Trust Litigation Cases,” Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey (October 2024)
- "Trusts, Estate Planning, and Divorce: How and Why to Consider Divorce in Estate Planning," Greater New Jersey Estate Planning Council (May 2024)
- "Seven Deadly Claims," American College of Trust and Estate Counsel Annual Meeting (March 2024)
- Guest Lecturer, Rutgers University School of Law (Ongoing)
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"Ethical and Practical Challenges in Dealing with Diverse Clients," Heckerling Institute (January 2024)
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"Undue Influence: Will You Know It When You See It?," Philadelphia Estate Planning Council (January 2024)
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"Hot Trends in Probate Litigation," Camden County Bar Association (February 2023)
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"Ethical and Practical Challenges for Trust and Estate Professionals in Dealing with Increasingly Diverse Clients" (February 2023)
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"Fiduciary Litigation Update," Annual Meeting and Convention, New Jersey State Bar Association (May 2023)
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"Making the Most of the Fiduciary-Counsel Relationship," Regional Meeting, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (September 2023)
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"What’s New in Estate Litigation," Estate & Financial Planning Council of Southern New Jersey (November 2023)
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"The Latest Trends in Estate Litigation," Mercer County Bar Association (November 2023)
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"Ethics and Professionalism in Today’s Society: How to Discuss, Address & Promote Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in your Trusts and Estates Practice and with Your Clients," Heckerling Institute (March 2022)
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"Seven Deadly Claims," The Mid-Atlantic Fellows Institute, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (April 2022)
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"Fiduciary Litigation Update," Annual Meeting and Convention, New Jersey State Bar Association (May 2022)
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"Novel Litigation Claims," Trust & Wealth Executive Seminar, Trust Management Association, Inc. (May 2022)
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"Seven Deadly Claims," Trust & Wealth Executive Seminar, Trust Management Association, Inc. (May 2022)
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"Hot Trends in Probate Litigation," Burlington County Bar Association (June 2022)
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"Careers in Trusts and Estates," Rutgers University School of Law (June 2022)
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"Intriguing Aspects of New Jersey Estate Law," Mid-Atlantic Fellows Institute, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (September 2022)
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"Personal Representatives and Trustees – Appointment, Resignation, Removal, Vacancy and Compensation," Mid-Atlantic Regional Meeting, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (September 2022)
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"Developing Trends in Probate Law," Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey (September 2022)
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"Current Issues in Probate Practice," Mercer County Bar Association (October 2022)
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"Hot Trends in Probate Litigation," New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education (October 2022)
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"Careers and Legal Developments in Trusts and Estates," Rutgers University School of Law (October 2022)
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"Do’s and Dont’s of Estate Planning," Rutgers University School of Law (November 2022)
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Annual Forum: Fiduciary Litigation Update, New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education (January 2021)
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"No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: Charitable Disputes and How to Avoid Them," Estate & Financial Planning Council of Southern New Jersey (February 2021)
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"Hot Trends in Probate Litigation," Burlington County Bar Association (April 2021)
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Annual Probate & Trust Law Symposium, New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education (October 2021)
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"Hot Trends in Estate Litigation," Camden County Bar Association (December 2021)
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"Corporate Fiduciaries: The Inside View," Heckerling Institute (January 2020)
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"Seven Deadly Claims," Mid-Atlantic Fellows Institute, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (September 2020)
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"Nuances of the Attorney-Client Privilege," Professional Responsibility Committee, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (October 2020)
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"Estate Planning and Litigation: What to do to prevent it, how to avoid it, and recent developments," Greater New Jersey Estate Planning Council (October 2020)
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"Current Issues in Probate Practice," Mercer County Bar Association (October 2020)
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"Hot Trends in Probate Litigation," New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education (November 2020)
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"Hot Trends in Estate Litigation," Camden County Bar Association (December 2020)
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"Fiduciary Litigation Update," Annual Meeting and Convention, New Jersey State Bar Association (May 2019)
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"Seven Deadly Claims," Annual Meeting, Philadelphia Estate Planning Council (May 2019)
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"Attorney-Client Privilege in Estate Planning, Administration and Litigation," American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (September 2019)
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"Hot Trends in Probate Litigation," New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education (September 2019)
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"National Survey on Damages and Remedies in Estate and Trust Litigation," American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (October 2019)
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"Hot Trends in Estate Litigation," Camden County Bar Association (December 2019)
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"Ethics and Negotiations," Heckerling Institute (January 2018)
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"Estate and Trust Litigation Update," Annual Probate and Trust Law Symposium, New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education (March 2018)
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"It’s a World of Tears and a World of Fears: Crisis Management of Estates," Section of Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Spring Symposia, American Bar Association (May 2018)
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"Fiduciary Litigation Update," Annual Meeting and Convention, New Jersey State Bar Association (May 2018)
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"Hot Trends in Probate Litigation," Burlington County Bar Association (June 2018)
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"Hot Topics in Estates and Trusts," New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education (September 2018)
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"Fiduciary Litigation Update," Greater Middlesex Somerset County Estate Planning Council (November 2018)
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"Hot Trends in Probate Litigation," Camden County Bar Association (December 2018)
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"Estate and Trust Litigation Update," Annual Probate and Trust Law Symposium, New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education (March 2017)
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"Hot Trends in Probate Litigation," Burlington County Bar Association (April 2017)
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"Fiduciary Litigation Update," Annual Meeting and Convention, New Jersey State Bar Association (May 2017)
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"The New Jersey Uniform Trust Code: Trustee Reporting and Limitations of Actions," New Jersey State Bar Association (May 2017)
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"Resolving Trust Issues–Hopefully Without Court Intervention," American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (September 2017)
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"Fiduciary Litigation Update," New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education (September 2017)
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"Seven Deadly Claims," National College of Probate Judges (November 2017)
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"Recent Developments in New Jersey Law," Pennsylvania Bar Institute (November 2017)
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"Hot Trends in Probate Litigation," New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education (March 2016)
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"Fiduciary Litigation Update," New Jersey State Bar Association (May 2016)
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"The New Jersey Uniform Trust Code," New Jersey State Bar Association (May 2016)
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"Ethics and Technology in Estates and Trusts," Bryn Mawr Trust Co. (June 2016)
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"Hot Trends in Probate Litigation," Burlington County Bar Association (June 2016)
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"The New Jersey Uniform Trust Code," New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education (June 2016)
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"Uniform Trust Code," Conference of General Equity Presiding Judges of New Jersey, New Supreme Court Committee on Judicial Education (July 2016)
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"Hot Topics in Estate and Trusts," New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education (September 2016)
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"Ethics and Technology in Estates and Trusts," Professional Responsibility Committee, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (October 2016)
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"Lawyer as Witness," American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (October 2016)
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"What We’ve Learned So Far Under Uniform Trust Code," Burlington County Bar Association (December 2016)
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"Hot Trends in Estate Litigation," Camden County Bar Association (December 2016)
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"Will to Litigate," Annual Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning, Heckerling Institute (January 2015)
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"Hot Trends in Probate Litigation," New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education (March 2015)
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"Letters, Notes and Napkins: Harmless Error and Writings Intended as Wills," American Bar Association (April 2015)
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"The Use and Abuse of Exculpatory Clauses," American Bar Association (April 2015)
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"Law as a Career," Bishop Eustace Prep School (April 2015)
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"Hot Trends in Probate Litigation," Burlington County Bar Association (April 2015)
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"Contested Guardianships," American Bar Association (May 2015)
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"Go Where No Ethics Have Gone Before - Staying on the Right Course in an Expanding Universe of Technology," American Bar Association (May 2015)
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"Fiduciary Litigation Update," American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (May 2015)
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"Fiduciary Litigation Update," New Jersey State Bar Association (May 2015)
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"Protection for Trustees Facing Fiduciary Liability," New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education (July 2015)
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"Seven Deadly Claims," County Officers Association of New Jersey (October 2015)
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"Ethics in Trusts," Delaware Trust Conference (October 2015)
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"Ethics in Technology in Estates and Trusts Practices," Annual Estate Planning Conference, Duke University (October 2015)
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"Seven Deadly Claims," National College of Probate Judges (November 2015)
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"Estate Litigation," New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education (November 2015)
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"Hot Trends in Probate Litigation," Camden County Bar Association (December 2015)
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"Ethics in Estate & Trust Disputes," Heckerling Institute (January 2014)
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"When Donor’s Intention Comes Undone," Community Foundation of South Jersey (February 2014)
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"Hot Trends in Probate Litigation," Burlington County Bar Association (March 2014)
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"Hot Trends in Probate Litigation," New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education (March 2014)
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"Contested Guardianships and Uniform Acts," Trust and Estate Law Spring Symposia, American Bar Association (May 2014)
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"Fiduciary Litigation Update," Annual Meeting and Convention, New Jersey State Bar Association (May 2014)
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"Seven Deadly Claims," Representing Estate and Trust Beneficiaries and Fiduciaries Seminar, American Law Institute–Continuing Legal Education Group (ALI-CLE) (July 2014)
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"Accountings Across the Counties," New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education (September 2014)
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"Hot Topics in Estate and Trusts," New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education (September 2014)
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"Hot Trends in Estate Litigation," Camden County Bar Association (November 2014)
- "Addressing Incomplete or Lost Records During Fiduciary Administration," ACTEC Podcast (August 2024)
- “This is What Happens to Unpaid Debts When a Person Passes Away,” CNBC (4/24/20)
Credentials
Education
- Rutgers University School of Law, JD
- St. Joseph's University, BA
Admissions
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. Supreme Court
Offices
Areas of Focus
News & Insights
11.18.2024
Speaking Engagements & Seminars
The Do's and Don'ts of Estate Planning
Steven Mignogna, Chair of Archer's Estate & Trust Litigation Group, will serve as a panelist for the Rutgers Law School program, "The Do's and Don'ts of Estate Planning." This session will explore the fundamentals of estate planning and look at some of the cutting-edge topics as time permits. When things go wrong litigation might ensue, so the subject of estate litigation and avoiding such litigation will be discussed. Finally, the role of the Surrogate will be examined along with practical pointers on how to make things go smoothly with that office. ...
09.25.2024
Speaking Engagements & Seminars
12th Annual Estate Litigation Seminar
Join Archer's Estate & Trust Litigation Group for our annual complimentary estate litigation seminar. Archer attorneys and guest speakers will present a review of new case law and other significant developments on trust, estate and fiduciary litigation from the region and around the country.Date & Time:September 25, 2024 (in-person)8:00 AM - 1:00 PMLocation:...
09.03.2024
In the News
Addressing Incomplete or Lost Records During Fiduciary Administration
The general rule is that a fiduciary has an obligation to maintain records as to its administration of an estate or trust. But what is the duty if there is an issue with the records? What options are available when a fiduciary is confronted with missing information and lost records?...
