Surviving Spouse Escapes Trust Box – COA Puts Him Back

By Doug Chalgian on March 28, 2023

  The challenge when planning for second marriages where each of them has children from prior relationships is that the client has to decide how it will go...

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Stepchild Inheritance Blocked by EPIC in Published Opinion

By Doug Chalgian on December 18, 2021

Childless Joseph marries Sally in 1993.  Sally comes into the marriage with one child, Katelyn, then aged 8. In 2005 Joseph and Sally prepare estate plans, including Joseph’s...

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COA Says Don’t “Hyperanalyze” Confusing Codicil

By Doug Chalgian on February 27, 2021

  A new unpublished case looks at how to construe a clearly ambiguous codicil when extrinsic evidence fails to enlighten the court as to the testator’s intent. In...

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Expressions of Intent: Admissible but Insufficient

By Doug Chalgian on July 5, 2019

Dad holds family meeting before he dies, and says he wants everything to go equally to his six children. He specifically indicates that this includes all assets controlled...

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Doug Chalgian

About The Author: Doug Chalgian

I am an estate planning, probate litigating, elder law attorney. This is a blog for clients and professional colleagues. In it I offer my ideas about the state of the law and the practice of law. I believe we are living through a unique period during which the law (which is traditionally slow to change) and society are attempting to evolve to address the explosion of people living long lives. I find these developments fascinating and enjoy being involved in this evolution.