The Rule Against Perpetuities routinely stumps law students and lawyers, and can turn home-made documents into disasters. A deed, trust Will, or other document that violates the Rule Against Perpetuities may be invalid in part or in whole, causing anticipated distributions to be uncertain or preventing them from happening at all. See Wikipedia: Rule Against […]
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Cooperative federalism is not license to re-write clear federal rules (Co. App.) Ruth Koehler sued the Department after it terminated her benefits under its Medicaid Home and Community Based Services for the Elderly, Blind and Disabled (HCBS) program. Ruth, an elderly disabled woman, received HCBS as an alternative to nursing home care. Her husband resided […]
Trustee had discretion to assess defense costs to wayward son (Ga. App.) ———————————— Howard McPherson established an irrevocable trust in 1990. At the time, he had four children, Scott, Lisa, Robin, and Eric. An additional son was born to Howard’s second wife after the trust was established. The trust gave the trustee discretion to provide […]
On July 29, 2016, the Elder Law Practice of David L. McGuffey hosted a Special Needs Roundtable in Dalton, Georgia. Our Key Note speaker was Hal Wright, author of the Complete Guide to Creating a Special Needs Life Plan: A Comprehensive Approach Integrating Life, Resource, Financial, and Legal Planning to Ensure a Brighter Future. The […]
In Giller v. Slosberg, an elderly father revoked an existing power of attorney, executed a new power of attorney, and made changes to certain financial accounts relating to his estate-planning strategy. Giller and Seidner (sisters) appealed a judment following a jury verdict in favor of their brother, Slosberg. Slosberg believed his sisters exerted undue influence […]
Trust Company Bank was named trustee of a trust created by Nancy Cooper in 1968. The trust provided that the settlor had no right to alter, amend, or revoke the trust. Nonetheless, she attempted to revoke the trust in 1985. The bank filed a declaratory judgment action because it believed the trust was irrevocable. Cooper […]
In 1977, Collins took a judgment against Hunt for $300,000. Collins then sought to enforce the judgment against a Louisiana trust created in 1941; Henderson was the trustee and Hunt was a beneficiary. Both Hunt and Henderson took the position that the trust was not subject to the judgment. The trial court disagreed and ordered […]
A trust sought direction concerning whether it was required to pay for private school tuition. A grandfather established a trust for the support, maintenance and education of his minor grandchildren. Later, when his son divorced, the son asked the trust to pay his children’s tuition. The former wife responded on behalf of the children, contending […]
In Great-West Life & Annuity Ins. Co. v. Knudson, 534 U.S. 204 (2002), an ERISA plan bought an action to recover funds paid to settle an MVA involving Janette Knudson. The plan spent $411,157.11 on Janette’s medical expenses; all but $75,000 was paid by Great-West under a stop loss agreement. The plan included a reimbursement […]
In Sereboff v. Mid-Atlantic Medical Services, Inc., 547 U.S. 356 (2006), an ERISA Plan sued the plan beneficiaries when funds were distributed to the Sereboffs without first satisfying an ERISA lien. The ERISA plan sued for injunctive relief, requesting a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction requiring the couple to retain and set aside at […]
