Use the court's equity power to achieve results Fiduciary Litigation in the Probate Court offers essential insight and practical guidance on a wide range of issues addressed by the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court. The book covers complaints for instructions; declaratory judgments; reformation of trusts; objections to accounts; will contests; partitions; and more.Use the court's equity power to achieve results
Recent updates:
Inside, you will find case decisions, insights, and practice tips on topics including the following:Complaints for instructions.
See chapter 2 for a discussion regarding the distinction between a complaint for instruction and a petition for instructions. The chapter also offers a practice tip suggesting the preparation of an accompanying affidavit.No-contest clauses.
Chapter 3 contains a discussion about whether declaratory judgment is an appropriate mechanism for determining if beneficiaries violated a no-contest clause in a trust.Lis pendens.
See chapter 5 for a newly added sample memorandum of lis pendens.Removal of trustees.
Chapter 7 adds a discussion regarding a 2022 case wherein the court considered whether the language of the trust, which seemed to require "cause" for trustee removal, took into account the provisions of G.L. c. 203E, § 706(b)(4).Hearings of contested accounts.
See chapter 8 for new material about contesting accounts in the case of estates or trusts involving minors, incapacitated persons, or unborn/unascertained interests.Defending accounts.
Chapter 9 discusses whether testamentary trust accountings require court involvement for settlement, and whether trustees of testamentary and nontestamentary trusts are still required to account at least privately to qualified beneficiaries. The chapter cites a 2023 case.Fraud and undue influence.
Chapter 10 cites a 2023 case illustrating shifting burdens of proof of undue influence.Contests regarding suitability of fiduciaries.
Chapter 10 also offers a new discussion about a 2023 case where the court considered the requirements for an objector to contest the suitability of a fiduciary, including that of a sufficient legal interest in the estate.Table of Contents
Chapter 01 - Filings in the Probate and Family Court After the MUPC and MUTCJames Gavaghan,
The Mullen Law Group, LLC
Noreen A. Mullen, Esq.,
The Mullen Law Group
Sharon B. Quinan,
Day Pitney LLP
Exhibit 1A - List of Massachusetts Probate and Family Court Forms
Exhibit 1B - Notice Requirements
Chapter 02 - Complaint for Instructions
Stephanie Addeo, Esq.,
Rubin and Rudman LLP
Sara E. Kitaeff, Esq.,
Rubin and Rudman LLP
Mark J. Warner, Esq.,
Warner, Frederico & Ryan LLP
Exhibit 2A - Complaint for Instructions, Sample 1
Exhibit 2B - Complaint for Instructions, Sample 2
Exhibit 2C - General Probate Petition
Exhibit 2D - Decree and Order of General Probate/Trust Petition
Exhibit 2E - Affidavit of Diane Jones
Chapter 03 - Declaratory Judgment
Jason Andreas Benitez, Esq.,
Jennifer Locke, Esq.,
Goodwin Procter LLP
Exhibit 3A - Motion to Exclude Certain Persons as Parties
Exhibit 3B - Motion to Waive the Appointment of Guardian ad Litem and Approve Virtual Representation
Exhibit 3C - Affidavit of Representative
Exhibit 3D - General Trust Petition for Appointment of Guardian ad Litem - Trust, G.L. c. 203E, § 305(b)
Exhibit 3E - Complaint for Declaratory Judgment and to Divide Trust
Exhibit 3F - Answer and Request for Declaration
Exhibit 3G - Joint Motion for Approval of Settlement Agreement
Exhibit 3H - Motion for Issuance of Decree and Order of General Trust Petition, Proposed Findings of Fact, Decree and Order
Chapter 04 - Reformation of Trusts Under Massachusetts Equity Procedure
Eric P. Hayes, Esq.,
Goodwin Procter LLP
Exhibit 4A - Complaint to Reform Trust
Chapter 05 - Determination of Title
Marshall D. Senterfitt, Esq.,
Holland & Knight LLP
Mark E. Swirbalus, Esq.,
Holland & Knight LLP
Hon. Jennifer M. R. Ulwick,
Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Exhibit 5A - Memorandum of Lis Pendens
Chapter 06 - Removal, Death, and Resignation of Fiduciaries
Robert J. O'Regan, Esq.,
Nixon Peabody LLP
Chapter 07 - Defending the Trustee Against Removal
Mark W. Williamson, Esq.,
Law offices of Mark W. Williamson
Exhibit 7A - Sample Appendix to a Petition for Removal of a Trustee
Exhibit 7B - Sample Opposition to Petition for Removal of a Trustee
Chapter 08 - Compelling and Objecting to Accounts
Tiffany M. Bentley, Esq.,
Day Pitney LLP
Alex J. Harrington,
Day Pitney LLP
Exhibit 8A - Affidavit of Objections
Chapter 09 - Defending Accounts
Mary H. Schmidt, Esq.,
Verrill Dana LLP
Christopher H. Suh, Esq.,
The Wagner Law Group, A Professional Corporation
Chapter 10 - Litigating Will Contests
Tiffany M. Bentley, Esq.,
Day Pitney LLP
Brian D. Bixby, Esq.,
Burns & Levinson LLP
Sydney Brady, Esq.,
Rubin and Rudman LLP
Lisa M. Cukier, Esq.,
Rubin and Rudman LLP
Andrea T. Dunbar, Esq.,
Bowditch & Dewey LLP
Chapter 11 - Compromise Agreements
Sharon B. Quinan,
Day Pitney LLP
Russell Jacob Smith, Esq.,
Casner & Edwards LLP
Exhibit 11A - Petition for Will Compromise
Exhibit 11B - Decree that Compromised Will Be Proved and Allowed
Exhibit 11C - Compromise Agreement
Exhibit 11D - Mutual Release Agreement
Exhibit 11E - Compromised Will
Chapter 12 - Parentage
Hon. Maureen H. Monks,
Middlesex Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Exhibit 12A - Petition for Approval of Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage
Exhibit 12B - Complaint to Rescind Acknowledgment of Paternity
Exhibit 12C - Public Assistance Affidavit
Exhibit 12D - Complaint to Establish Paternity
Exhibit 12E - Complaint for Support, Custody, and Parenting Time Pursuant to G.L. c. 209C
Exhibit 12F - Petition to Change Name of Minor
Chapter 13 - Cy Pres and Deviation
Lisa M. Cukier, Esq.,
Rubin and Rudman LLP
Ann Hetherwick-Cahill, Esq.,
Day Pitney LLP
Noelle L. Maffeo, Esq.,
Day Pitney LLP
Chapter 14 - Fees in the Probate Court
Judith K. Wyman, Esq.,
Exhibit 14A - Form of Motion for Payment of Special Administrator’s Fees, Costs, and Expenses
Exhibit 14B - Form of Affidavit to Accompany Motion for Payment of Fees, Costs, and Expenses
Exhibit 14C - Proposed Order
Chapter 15 - Petition to Partition
Thomas P. Jalkut, Esq.,
Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP
Chapter 16 - Appellate Practice in Fiduciary Litigation
Robert J. O'Regan, Esq.,
Nixon Peabody LLP
Chapter 17 - Evidentiary Privileges in Fiduciary Litigation
Nicole E. Collins, Esq.,
Atwood & Cherny, P.C.
Mary Beth L. Sweeney, Esq.,
Atwood & Cherny, PC
Authors
Editor(s)Lisa M. Cukier, Esq.,
Rubin and Rudman LLP, Boston
Hon. Jennifer M. R. Ulwick,
Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Salem
Judicial Commentator(s)
Hon. George F. Phelan,
Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston
Author(s)
Stephanie Addeo, Esq.,
Rubin and Rudman LLP, Boston
Jason Andreas Benitez, Esq.,
Boston
Tiffany M. Bentley, Esq.,
Day Pitney LLP, Boston
Brian D. Bixby, Esq.,
Burns & Levinson LLP, Boston
Sydney Brady, Esq.,
Rubin and Rudman LLP, Boston
Nicole E. Collins, Esq.,
Atwood & Cherny, P.C., Boston
Lisa M. Cukier, Esq.,
Rubin and Rudman LLP, Boston
Andrea T. Dunbar, Esq.,
Bowditch & Dewey LLP, Worcester
James Gavaghan,
The Mullen Law Group, LLC, South Boston
Alex J. Harrington,
Day Pitney LLP, Boston
Eric P. Hayes, Esq.,
Goodwin Procter LLP, Boston
Ann Hetherwick-Cahill, Esq.,
Day Pitney LLP, Boston
Thomas P. Jalkut, Esq.,
Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP, Boston
Sara E. Kitaeff, Esq.,
Rubin and Rudman LLP, Boston
Jennifer Locke, Esq.,
Goodwin Procter LLP, East Corinth
Noelle L. Maffeo, Esq.,
Day Pitney LLP, Boston
Hon. Maureen H. Monks,
Middlesex Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Cambridge
Noreen A. Mullen, Esq.,
The Mullen Law Group, Braintree
Robert J. O'Regan, Esq.,
Nixon Peabody LLP, Boston
Sharon B. Quinan,
Day Pitney LLP, Boston
Mary H. Schmidt, Esq.,
Verrill Dana LLP, Boston
Marshall D. Senterfitt, Esq.,
Holland & Knight LLP, Boston
Russell Jacob Smith, Esq.,
Casner & Edwards LLP, Boston
Christopher H. Suh, Esq.,
The Wagner Law Group, A Professional Corporation, Boston
Mary Beth L. Sweeney, Esq.,
Atwood & Cherny, PC, Boston
Mark E. Swirbalus, Esq.,
Holland & Knight LLP, Boston
Hon. Jennifer M. R. Ulwick,
Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Salem
Mark J. Warner, Esq.,
Warner, Frederico & Ryan LLP, Boston
Mark W. Williamson, Esq.,
Law offices of Mark W. Williamson, Sterling
Judith K. Wyman, Esq.,
