Objection Filed and Settlement Secured to Avoid Costly Litigation and Accelerate Distribution
SBEMP recently secured a favorable resolution for a trust beneficiary who was wrongfully accused of undue influence and improperly labeled a “care provider” in an effort to disqualify her from receiving her inheritance.
After being named as a beneficiary in a friend’s trust, our client faced a petition seeking to exclude her on the grounds that she allegedly exerted undue influence and fell within a statutory disqualification category. The accusations required her to defend both her legal rights and her personal integrity.
We immediately filed a formal objection to the petition and prepared to litigate the matter. However, rather than allow the dispute to escalate into protracted and expensive court proceedings, we negotiated a written settlement with opposing counsel.
As a result:
- The client remained a valid beneficiary
- Her reputation was preserved
- A settlement agreement was reached without full litigation
- She received an advancement on her inheritance rather than waiting through extended trust administration
- The financial recovery exceeded her legal fees
The resolution was achieved far more quickly than anticipated, sparing the client the emotional and financial strain of extended litigation.
For our client, the outcome was not simply financial. It was about honoring her friend’s wishes and protecting her good name.
This matter reflects our approach in trust and estate disputes: act quickly, prepare thoroughly, and resolve efficiently whenever possible without compromising our client’s position.