Recent Blog Posts
Why Estate Litigation Happens
Many Florida families discover too late that a loved one has poor or nonexistent estate plans in place. This lack of planning can lead to costly and emotionally charged court battles. Estate litigation can arise when a loved one passes without a clear, legally sound plan for how their assets should be distributed. Whether… Read More »
Legal Options When You’re Left Out of a Florida Will
Discovering that you’ve been left out of a loved one’s Will can be heartbreaking, especially when the omission feels unexpected or unjust. The good news is, under certain circumstances, Florida law allows a disinherited individual to challenge a Will and seek relief through the courts. Speak with a Pompano Beach estate litigation lawyer if… Read More »
Consequences of Failing to Provide Estate Accountings
Once a person passes away, the personal representative of their estate, or the trustee of a trust, has a legal duty to manage and distribute the assets in accordance with Florida law and the terms of the estate planning documents. A critical responsibility that often leads to estate litigation is the representative’s duty to… Read More »
Sibling Rivalries and Estate Battles
The loss of a parent can be emotionally overwhelming. Unfortunately, grief can sometimes be compounded by conflict, especially when siblings disagree over the terms of a will, trust, or estate administration. In Florida, sibling estate disputes are not uncommon and often lead to estate litigation. If you are in a situation involving conflict, talk… Read More »
Time Limits, Legal Grounds, and Contesting a Will
If you believe a loved one’s will does not reflect their true intentions (or was the product of fraud, undue influence, or error) it’s important to understand the process, the legal grounds, and how time-sensitive these claims can be. A skilled Pompano Beach estate litigation lawyer can help you navigate the complex probate landscape… Read More »
Guardianship and Families Disagreements
Guardianship is a legal arrangement designed to protect individuals who can no longer manage their own personal or financial affairs. This protection is often put in place due to age, illness, or disability. While guardianship can be a vital safeguard, it can also lead to serious family disputes. When families disagree, the stakes are… Read More »
When Trustees Go Rogue
Should we live in a perfect world, all estate matters would be to manage with care, transparency, and integrity. After all, trustees are legally bound by a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of the trust’s beneficiaries. But when trustees act selfishly or fail to provide required information, beneficiaries have legal options…. Read More »
When to Consult Expert Witnesses in Geriatric Medicine or Forensic Accounting
Complex guardianship and inheritance disputes regularly occur in the world of estate litigation. When they do, expert witnesses can play a crucial role. Two particularly important types of experts in these cases are those in geriatric medicine and forensic accounting. Used effectively with support from a Pompano Beach estate litigation lawyer, these professionals can… Read More »
Things to Know About Payable-on-Death (POD) or Transfer-on-Death (TOD) Beneficiaries
When handling estate matters in Florida, it’s important to understand how different types of asset designations impact inheritance rights. Two common tools used to pass assets outside of probate are Payable-on-Death (POD) and Transfer-on-Death (TOD) designations. These forms of beneficiary assignments allow funds or property to be transferred directly to named individuals upon the… Read More »
Undue Influence Is Not Always an Aggressive Action
When people think of undue influence in the context of estate planning, they often imagine a dramatic scene, such as someone threatening or manipulating an elderly vulnerable person. While these situations do occur, the reality is that undue influence can be far more subtle. This is often true in cases where aging individuals rely… Read More »
Mark R. Manceri, P.A. is a boutique law firm that specializes in Estate, Trust and Guardianship litigation. These matters include Will and Trust contests involving lack of capacity, undue influence, forgery, improper execution and tortious interference...