Delaware Fiduciary Litigation Blog
This blog will summarize trusts and estates decisions by Delaware courts. Updates will appear frequently.
Felicia Bey v. Karen Renee Leake, individually, and as Executrix of the Estate of Joseph Holder Bey, C.A. No. 2023-0233-SEM (October 8, 2024)
IMO: The Estate of Lawrence E. Mergenthaler, et al., C.A. No. 2020-0804-MTZ (September 4, 2024)
IMO Estate of O’Neill, C.A. No. 2022-0088-LM (March 28, 2024)
In the Matter of the Estate of Sherri Zamichieli, C.A. No. 2023-0292-SEM (April 5, 2024)
Wanamaker v. Wanamaker, C.A. No. 2019-0920-LM (February 5, 2024)
Gwen Thornton v. Louise Lamborn and Cheryl T. Bell, C.A. No. 2022-0842-SEM (January 29, 2024)
Lisa Anderson v. Randall Lee Hill, et al., C.A. No. 2018-0449-SEM (January 5, 2024)
IMO the Estate of Anastasios G. Nastatos, ROW Folio No. 167885 AF-SEM (November 30, 2023)
IMO The Estate of Thelma L. Taylor, row Folio No. 179101 DM-SEM (October 30, 2023)
In re: Estate of John T. Landon, Jr., C.A. 5230-VCZ (August 28, 2023)
In the Matter of Last Will and Testament and Codicil of Ann C Duff, Deceased, C.A. No. 2022-0803-BWD (June 30, 2023)
IMO the Est. of George Wroten Cordray and Robert L. Lane, Admin. for the Estate of George Wroten Cordray, C.A. No. 2022-0614-SG (May 19, 2023)
IMO The Estate of Willie J. Snow, C.A. No. 2022-0106-SEM (April 26, 2023)
In the Matter of THE JEREMY PARADISE DYNASTY TRUST and THE ANDREW PARADISE DYNASTY TRUST, C.A. No. 2021-0354-KSJM (January 31, 2023)
The Chancellor aptly summarized the factual history in this case as follows:
In the Matter of the Lost Will of Elizabeth R. Clark, C.A. No. 2022-0181-SEM (December 30, 2022)
Wells Lory Hillblom v. Wilmington Trust Company, C.A. No. 2021-1034-MTZ (December 6, 2022)
Senior Partner, Inc. as Trustee of the Ardythe Hope Children's Hospital v. David L. Lee, C.A. No. 2020-0226- SEM (November 28, 2022)
In the Matter of the Estate of John Joseph Fahey, ROW Folio No. 177536 LW (October 31, 2022)
In the Matter of the Estate of Lawrence M. Sullivan, Sr., Deceased, C.A. No. 2020-0318-SEM (October 31, 2022)
In the Matter of the Estate of Albert J. Vietri, C.A. No. 2020-0806-PWG (August 31, 2022)
Cowan v. Furlow, C.A. No. 2018-0915-SEM; IMO Real Estate of Alvin David Smith, Jr., deceased, C.A. No. 2019-1038-SEM (May13, 2022)
In the matter of the Estate of Wilbert Octavis Mable, Sr., C.A. No. 2020-0089-PWG (June 10, 2022)
In the Matter of Rogers v. Wilmington Trust Company, No. 21-1473 (March 3, 2022)
In the matter of the Estate of Ruby L. Wiggins, Register of Wills Folio No. 171196 (March 29, 2022)
In the Matter of The Jeremy Paradise Dynasty Trust and The Andrew Paradise Dynasty Trust, C.A. No. 2021-0354-KSJM (March 22, 2022)
In the Matter of the Real Estate of Alvin David Smith, Jr., C.A. No. 2019-1038-SEM (JRS) (December 3, 2021)
In the Matter of The Jeremy Paradise Dynasty Trust and The Andrew Paradise Dynasty Trust, C.A. No. 2021-0354-KSJM (November 29, 2021)
IMO The Estate of Meredith L. Sullivan, CA No. 2018-0741-PWG (September 16, 2021)
In the Matter of The Jeremy Paradise Dynast Trust and The Andrew Paradise Dynasty Trust, Cons. C.A. No. 2021-03540 KSJM (August 17, 2021)
In the Matter of Trusts F/B/O Marie C. Thomas Under Agreement of Charles D. Thomas Dated December17, 1986, as Amended, C.A. No. 2020-0698-MTZ (August 2, 2021)
J.P. Morgan Trust Company of Delaware, et al. v. Hadley Fisher and Michael Fisher, C.A. No. 12894-VCL (June 14, 2021)
Amy Knapp Rumford v. Leslie Gay Knapp Marini, et al., C.A. No. 2018-0563-PWG (April 5, 2021)
Christopher J. Tigani, Sr., et al. v. Robert F. Tigani, Sr. and N.K.S. Distributors, Inc., C.A. No. 2017-0786-KSJM (March 30, 2021)
IMO The Jeannette T. McDowell Trust U/A 5/1/1996, C.A. No. 2019-0515-PWG (March 8, 2021)
In the Matter of the Estate of Meredith L. Sullivan, C.A. No. 2018-0741-PWG (February 22, 2021)
John G. Lenoir, as Personal Representative of the Estate of Catherine E. Lenoir v. Frances Heinig, C.A. No. 2020-0036-PWG (January 12, 2021)
Ralph Paul Deputy v. Jay Christian Deputy, C.A. No. 10874-VCZ (March 2, 2020)
IMO the Estate of Evelynn Chambers, Register of Wills Folio No. 168119 (June 12, 2020)
Jerita Hill, et al. v. Judy L. Myers, et al., C.A. No. 2018-0160-SEM (June 15, 2020)
Lisa Anderson v. Randell Lee Hill, et al., C.A. No. 2018-0449-PWG (May 5, 2020)
R. Michael DeGroat, et al., v. Lucinda A. Papa, et al., C.A. No. 12738-VCZ
Dewey v. Arce, C.A. No. 2019-0533-PWG (April 8, 2020)
Kimberlyn Ray, et al., v. Edna A. Williams, C.A. No. 2017-0178-MTZ (March 31, 2020)
Marie Ann Hurd v. Leonard Hurd, Jr., C.A. No. 4675-MG (January 31, 2020)
Michael D. Chase v. Martha L. Chase and Clare L. Chase, C.A. No. 2019-0402-PWG (December 13, 2019)
J.P. Morgan Trust Company of Delaware v. Hadley Fisher, et al., C.A. No 12894-VCL (December 5, 2019)
In The Matter of the Last Will and Testament of Milton Ray Lomax, C.A. No. 2018-0434-PWG (October 8, 2019)
IMO the Estate of Evelyn Chambers, C.A. No. 2018-0630-SEM (August 29, 2019)
IMO the Estate of Helen L. Rose, Folio F01052012HLR-K (July 9, 2019)
IMO the Estate of Margaret Elaine Clark, Row #163725 (July 9, 2019)
IMO: H.M. Mosher Trust Dated January 14, 1938, C.A. No. 2017-0653 (October 29, 2018)
Marc N. Arot v. Jacqueline A. Lanardi, et. al., C.A. No. 12915-VCZ (October 29, 2018)
IMO Estate of Harold E. Marvel, ROW Folio No. 152 Master Griffin (October 1, 2018)
In re: The Trust FBO Samuel Frances DuPont Under Trust Agreement Dated August 4, 1936 (Power of Appointment Trust), C.A. No. 12904-MG (September 25, 2018)
In re: The Matter of the Estate of Rita J. Francisco, deceased, C.A. No. 2017-0424-MTZ (September 11, 2018)
In the Matter of the Estate of Georgianna Dodd, C.A. No. 11931-VCMR (August 20, 2018)
IMO Estate of Joan K. Lambeth; Jack Reedy v. Larry H. Kendall, C.A. No. 2017-0918-MTZ (July 2, 2018)
Carol P. Wallace v. Diane Schrock, C.A. No. 13002-MZ (May 30, 2018)
Ray Wayne Lynch v. Frank Barba, C.A. No. 12083-MG (April 3, 2018)
Marie Ann Hurd v. Leonard Hurd, Jr., Individually and as a Trustee of the Marie Ann Hurd Trust, C.A. No. 4675-MG (March 26, 2018)
Mario Alberto Lopez Garza, the Executor of the Estate of Hans Jorg Schneider Sauter v. Citigroup, Inc. (3rd Cir. Feb. 2, 2018)
Master Recommends Denial of Preliminary Injunction Sought by Widow Challenging Pre-Nuptial Agreement
In Re: The Matter of the Estate of Kenneth R. Wolhar, C.A. No. 12860-MG (February 6, 2018)
IMO Theodore Brans C.A. No.
James R. Adams v. The Honrable John Carney (December 6, 2017)
IMO the Will of Lillian P. Kessler C.A. No. 12852 (October 23, 2017)
Douglas W. du Pont v. Wilmington Trust Company C.A. No. 12836-VCS (October 6, 2017)
IMO the Estate of Richard L.
IMO Last Will and Testament of Rachel D. Harley, deceased; Shirley Harley Brown v. Mary M. Harley, et. al. C.A.
IMO Ronald J.
IMO Trust Created Under the Will of Harold S.
IMO The Irene Eisenberg Trust U/A/D May 11, 2012 C.A. No.
Estate of Walter E.
IMO John T. Landon, Jr. Estate, C.A. No. 5230-MZ (June 8, 2017)
Mennen, et al. v. Fiduciary Trust International of Delaware, et al. (May 17, 2017)
Charles F. Alexander v. Edwin J. Alexander, Edward L. Alexander, and William F. Alexander, C.A. No. 12587-MA (April 19, 2017)
Frederick Conaway v. Baird, et al. File No. 359, 2016 (March 28, 2017)
If you have been wondering why the blog has been less active recently, it is not because we have lost interest or care less about info
Mennen, et al. v. Wilmington Trust Co., et al. C.A. No. 8432-VCL (February 27, 2017)
IMO Kalil Trust and Estate C.A. No. 11047-MZ (January 23, 2017)
Mennen, et al. v. Fiduciary Trust International of Delaware, et al. No. 1, 2016 (October 11, 2016)
Hurd v. Hurd, C.A. No. 4675-MA (September 20, 2016)
IMO Edward J. Burke Estate C.A. No. 10768-MA (August 10, 2016)
Mario Alberto Lopez Garza, The Executor of the Estate of Hans Jorg Schneider Sauter v. Citigroup, Inc. C.A. No. 15-537-SLR (June 29, 2016)
William V. Erhlich, Jr., Trustee of the William V. Ehrlich Trust U/W/D May 5, 1977, as Amended v. Jeffrey Ehrlich and Vinn, LLC C.A. No. 11364-MA (July 25, 2016)
IMO Dougherty, Francis J. Sr. Estate C.A. No. 9496-JL (July 22, 2016)
This case concerns the estate of Francis Dougherty, Sr. and whether his daughter, Patricia unduly influenced him. Francis’s surviving wife, Elizabeth, contested that Patricia did.
First State Fiduciaries LLC v. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and Margaret E. Day and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC v. First State Fiduciaries, LLC & Margaret E. Day C.A. No. 9472-MA (July 11, 2016)
In the Matter of the Last Will and Testament Of Edward B. Sandstrom, Deceased, C.A. No. 8948-MA
David L. Banks v. Mackie H. Banks and the Estate of Russell V. Banks, C.A. No. 10934-VCG
IMO Vincent J. Tigani, Jr. Estate CA #7339-ML (February 12, 2016)
IMO the Estate of James L. Simmons, Sr.; Simmons v. DeRamus, et al. C.A. No. 9965-ML (February 11, 2016)
IMO: Raymond L. Hammond Irrevocable Trust Agreement and PNC Bank Delaware Trust Company, as Trustee, Dated October 5, 2007. C.A. No. 10463-ML (January 28, 2016)
In re: Estate of Bennie Farren, C.A. No. 8714-MA & McGlaughlin v. Farren, C.A. No. 9385-MA (January 19, 2016)
IMO Ronald J. Mount 2012 Irrevocable Dynasty Trust C.A. No. 10991-VCN (January 21, 2016)
In August of 2015, Delaware adopted 12 Del.C.§ 1311. In so doing, Delaware joined Ohio, Alaska, Arkansas, New Hampshire, Nevada, North Carolina, and North Dakota as one of only a few states that offer testators the option of pre-mortem will validation.
IMO: The Estate of James Vincent Tigani, Jr., deceased, and the J. Vincent Tigani Jr., a/k/a James Vincent Tigani, Jr. Revocable Trust, U/A dtd, April 10, 1995 C.A. No. 7339-ML (September 30, 2015)
IMO the Last Will & Testament of Wilma B. Kittila, deceased C.A. No. 2084-ML (October 9, 2015)
IMO The Hawk Mountain Trust CA #7334-VCP (September 8, 2015)
Dorothy Blansfield v. Alumni Association of Arizona State University, Alumni Association of Temple University and Roman Catholic Diocese of Wilmington, C.A. No. 9435-VCP (July 31, 2015)
In Re: Estate of Bennie P. Farren C.A. No. 8714-MA (June 18, 2015)
IMO the Last Will & Testament of Wilma Kittila, deceased C.A. No. 8024-ML (June 24, 2015)
In Re Trust Under Will of Wallace B. Flint for the Benefit of Katherine F. Shadek, C.A. No. 10593-VCL (June 17, 2015)
Margaret C. Ughetta v. Mary Harding Cist, Individually, as Executrix of Estate of John David Cist, and as Trustee of the Supp Trust Agreement of John David Cist. C.A. No. 7885-MA (May 29, 2015)
IMO the Thomas Lawrence Reeves Irrevocable Trust Under Agreement Dated February 26, 1997 C.A. No. 8071-ML (April 29, 2015)
Kathryn Mennen et al v. Wilmington Trust Company et al C.A. No. 8432 (Motion for Summary Judgment)(April 24, 2015)
Kathryn Mennen et al v. Wilmington Trust Company et al C.A. No. 8432-ML (Post-trial)(April 24, 2015)
Estate of George M. Reed, Jr., et al. v. Lisa Grandelli C.A. No. 8283-VCG (April 17, 2015)
IMO the Trust Under the Will of Elizabeth Williams Vale for the Benefit of Frederic B. Asche, Jr. C.A. No. 7662-VCP (February 19, 2015)
Robert E. Taglialatela, Jr. v. Phyllis T. Galvin, Trustee Irrevocable Trust of Robert E.
IMO Last Will & Testament of Wilma B. Kittila, deceased C.A. No. 8024-ML (February 18, 2015)
On February 12, 2015, the Delaware Supreme Court, by way of the two-paragraph order attached below, affirmed the Delaware Court of Chancery’s June 2014 ruling dismissing a petitioner’s case as untimely based on notice given under Delaware’s pre-mortem validation statute.
Geraldine Messick v. Estate of Ronald R. Messick, C.A. No. 6290-MA (February 3, 2015)
TrustCo Bank v. Mathews, C.A. No. 8374-VCP (January 22, 2015)
IMO Last Will & Testament of Ethel Smith C.A. No. 8532-MA (January 8, 2015)
Mennen v. Wilmington Trust Company, et al. C.A. No. 8432-ML (December 8, 2014)
Nationstar Mortgage LLC d/b/a Champion Mortgage Company v. Carey C.A. No. 9274-MA (November 26, 2014)
IMO the Estate of Zigfrids B. Blums, deceased C.A. No 7479-ML (November 12, 2014)
IMO The Estate of Aldon S. Hall C.A. No. 8122-MA (October 2, 2014)
IMO The Estate of Paulina duPont Dean C.A. No. 7430-ML (September 17, 2014)
Richard A. McCloskey v. John A. McCloskey, et al. C.A. No. 6061-ML (September 3, 2014)
Last week, Gov. Jack Markell signed into law the Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets and Digital Accounts Act, which gives personal representatives, guardians, power of attorney, trustees, or any other fiduciary entrusted to exercise authority over digital assets or digital accounts access to transfer, copy, or destroy a digital asset or digital account.
Hardy v. Hardy, et. al. C.A. No. 7531-VCP (July 29, 2014)
The Delaware Court of Chancery recently removed the trustees of a trust set up for the benefit of an individual who had received over $300,000 for the settlement of sex abuse case against the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington. The trustees spent the majority of the settlement in only five months. The court awarded the beneficiary his attorneys’ fees and costs under the bad faith exception to the American Rule.
IMO DANIEL KLOIBER DYNASTY TRUST U/A/D DECEMBER 20, 2002 C.A. No. 9685-VCL (August 1, 2014)
Dixon v. Joyner C.A. No. 7452-ML (July 14, 2014)
IMO: The Estate of Paulina duPont Dean C.A. No. 7430 - ML (June 30, 2014)
IMO Restatement of Declaration of Trust Creating the Survivor's Trust Created Under the Ravet Family Trust C.A. No. 7743-VCG (June 4, 2014)
Beverly McCarty and Ragen McCarty v. John M. McCarty, Jr. as an Executor of the Estate of Michael L.
In the Matter of Estate of Dorothea Branson Register of Wills No. 260-S (April 22, 2014)
IMO the LW&T of Blanche M. Hurley, deceased, et al. C.A. No. 8473-ML (March 20, 2014)
Kathryn Mennen v. Wilmington Trust Company, a Delaware corporation, C.A. No. 8432-ML (January 17, 2014)
Charles B. Grace, Jr., v. Ashbridge LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, C.A. No. 8348-VCN (December 31, 2013)
In the Matter of: Restatement of Declaration of Trust Creating the Survivor’s Trust Created Under the Ravet Family Trust Dated February 9, 2012, C.A. No. 7743-VCG (January 29, 2013)
IMO the Restated Revocable Trust of Lawrence F. Conlin, deceased C.A. No. 8052-ML (January 21, 2014)
In re: The Estate of Mary Elizabeth Hutton C.A. No. 6863-ML (January 24, 2014)
Estate of Ralph A. Gallegan, C.A. No. 8552-MA (December 16, 2013)
Nancy B. Minieri, et al. v. Diane E. Bennett, C.A. No. 4792-ML (November 13, 2013)
Pinno v. Pinno, et al. C.A. #7878 & ROW #153951-N (November 5, 2013)
IMO The Estate of Leonard Rich, KC-ROW #F03072007R (October 29, 2013)
Pursuant to Chancery Court Rule 144(a)(1), Master Pro Hac Vice Poppiti issued a report on exceptions to the final accounting, as filed collectively by four beneficiaries of the estate.
Damiano v. Damiano Estate, et al., C.A. No. 6396-ML (October 24, 2013)
Peierls Family Trusts Case Nos. 16810, 16811 & 16812 (October 4, 2013)
Mennen v. Wilmington Trust, C.A. No. 8432-ML (September 18, 2013)
Cecil W. Scott v. Roland E. Scott C.A. No. 6604-MA (September 13, 2013)
IMO Estate of Robert N. Gardner C.A. No. 5506-MA (August 13, 2013)
In the Matter of The Mary R. Latimer Trust U/A/D 12/3/1924 C.M. No. 17254-N-VCL (August 19, 2013)
Mennen v. Wilmington Trust, C.A. No. 8432-ML (July 25, 2013)
IMO Purported Codicil/Amendment to the LW&T of Lucia R. Sierra, C.A. No. 7769-ML (June 26, 2013)
Cummings v. The Estate of Ronald E. Lewis, C.A. No. 6948-VCP (June 17, 2003)
Danuta Saitis, executrix of the Estate of Stefan Szewczyk, deceased v. Elizabeth L. Malatesta, C.A. No. 7492-ML (May 13, 2013)
Taglialatela v. Galvin, C.A. No. 5841-MA (May 14, 2013)
In the matter of Trust Under the Will of Elizabeth Williams Vale for the Benefit of Frederic B. Asche, Jr., C.A. No. 7662-ML (April 29, 2013)
In re the Adoption of C.A.H.W. File No. 95–05–03–A (March 28, 2013)
Honaker v. The Estate of Dorothy T. Haas, C.A. No. 7966-VCG (April 11, 2013)
IMO Trust for Grandchildren of Wilbert L. and Genevieve W. Gore dated April 14, 2972, C.A. No. 1165-VCN (April 1, 2013).
IMO: The Estate of James Vincent Tigani, Jr., et al. , C.A. No. 7339-ML (March 20, 2013).
Cummings v. Estate of Ronald E. Lewis, C.A. No. 6948-VCP (March 14, 2013)
IMO Trust for Grandchildren of Wilbert L. and Genevieve W. Gore, C.A. No. 1165-VCN (February 27, 2013).
At the conclusion of this litigation, the court ordered that all parties’ fees be paid by the trust.
Davis v. Estate of Mary S. Perry, C.A. No. 2419-VCG (January 2, 2013).
