An attorney in Bucks County, Pennsylvania has been indicted on charges that he stole almost $2 million from a deceased client’s estate. Prosecutors charged attorney Randolph Scott, 70, with mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, tax evasion and failure to file tax returns. If convicted on all the charges, he faces a minimum of 2 years […]
Estate Fraud – Breach of Fiduciary Duty
As the first baby boomers are now reaching retirement age, we are seeing an increase in the numbers of powers of attorney given to a relative or close family friend. Under the law of most states, the person who holds that power of attorney has a fiduciary duty to the person who granted the power. […]
Will Contests and "No Contest" Clauses
Will contests and inheritance fraud are big problems that never receive much media coverage. Everyday, children, grandchildren, siblings and jilted spouses race to courthouses across the country claiming they were wrongfully cut out of the someone’s will. Sometimes family members go to court to prevent an overreaching caregiver or family member from taking advantage of […]
Will Contests – What Works And What Doesn't
Recently we received several calls about will contests – that is what happens when someone wishes to challenge the beneficiaries of an estate. It is a legal proceeding usually brought by a beneficiary or someone who feels they should have been a beneficiary. There are generally only a few grounds to challenge a will or […]
Dad Squanders Daughter's Inheritance, Bank Liable
by Brian Mahany A 41 year old Florida man was arrested after being accused of stealing his daughter’s $58,000 inheritance. Published reports and court records reveal that Willie Lockridge was the father of the victim. Apparently the victim’s mother died in 2011 and left almost $59,000 to her daughter. The girl’s uncle was court appointed […]
Ultimate Inheritance Fraud? Cops Exhume Chicago Lottery Winner, Fear Cyanide Poisoning
by Brian Mahany The registered trademark of the Illinois Lottery is the slogan, “Anything’s Possible.” Apparently that includes murder. This story comes courtesy of today’s Chicago Tribune. Cops in Chicago exhumed the body of Urooj Khan, a recent million dollar lottery winner. The medical examiner’s office originally ruled in July that Khan die of hardening […]
Lawyer, Accountant Implicated in Estate Fraud Case
by Brian Mahany Although I still believe the practice of law is a noble profession, the ambulance chasers and ethically challenged members of the Bar keep us pretty far down in public opinion polls. This story from Tennessee is not going to help change that undeserved reputation. Paul Porter and his son Joe built up […]
Will Contests, Inheritance Fraud and Probate Fraud
by Brian Mahany Admittedly this is a dark post to be writing on Christmas day. While tens of millions of people are celebrating this joyous and most blessed holiday, other families are struggling with bitter feelings and anger. The death of loved one is difficult under any circumstances. Add fraud, forgeries and undue influence and […]
Michael Jackson's Will A Fake? – Probate / Estate Fraud Blog Post
by Brian Mahany Even years after his death, controversy still haunts Michael Jackson. No sooner was Michael buried, then Michael’s mother Katherine challenged his estate. Specifically, she challenged the two men who were acting as executors of the estate. That challenge was ultimately withdrawn but not before Michael’s father Joe file his own challenge. His […]
Grandson Gets Prison For Defrauding Grandfather's Estate
by Brian Mahany This is a very sad story. Unfortunately, it’s one we see with increasing frequency. As millions of families gather for holiday festivities, many of our elderly and disabled family members find themselves the victims of elder fraud and theft. The people committing these terrible crimes? It’s often family members or caregivers. Michael […]