ATTORNEYS PRACTICE AREAS NEWS ABOUT CONTACT PROBATE AND FIDUCIARY LITIGATION When handling any such case, we employ a team approach with our probate litigators working closely with our trust and estate attorneys to bring to the case both expert litigation skills and a broad and deep knowledge of the substantive law. We are a boutique law firm specializing in estate planning, trust and estate administration and litigation and have considerable expertise in these fields. Our attorneys have significant experience representing corporate and individual fiduciaries, beneficiaries, heirs and charitable organizations. We handle all aspects of probate litigation including: trust disputes; challenging and defending challenges to petitions for probate of wills; defending, removing and appointing trustees, executors and personal representatives; compelling and defending accounts of executors, personal representatives and trustees; prosecuting and defending other claims of wrongdoing by fiduciaries; bringing and defending claims for interference with inheritances. Our attorneys have a deep understanding of the substantive common law and statutory requirements governing estate and trust disputes, including the Uniform Trust Code, the Uniform Probate Code, the Uniform Principal and Income Acts, and the Prudent Investor Act. With an understanding of these probate and trust laws as a foundation, our attorneys are able to successfully advise our clients on the varied complex issues involved in probate matters. When handling any such case, we employ a team approach under in which our probate litigators work closely with our trust and estate attorneys to bring to the case both expert litigation skills and a broad and deep knowledge of the substantive law. Consequently, we can provide our clients with attorneys that have extensive experience in the particular areas in dispute as well as those with probate litigation experience in the state and federal courts. Petitions for Instructions Trust Reformation and Terminations Declaratory Judgments and Equity Actions Advising Trustees, Beneficiaries, Personal Representatives and Heirs PETITIONS FOR INSTRUCTIONS Unfortunately, sometimes will and trust documents contain ambiguities. Our attorneys are experienced in bringing a variety of judicial actions to obtain interpretations of ambiguous documents, and instructions for how to carry out the duties under those documents. TRUST REFORMATION AND TERMINATIONS We have successfully prosecuted actions seeking reformation of defective trusts. Our successful handling of these matters has avoided and resolved disputes, and resulted in significant tax savings for our clients. Massachusetts law allows for the termination of irrevocable trusts under certain circumstances. Our team has successfully brought trust termination actions. DECLARATORY JUDGMENTS AND EQUITY ACTIONS We have extensive experience presenting declaratory judgment actions when a trustee or personal representative is faced with a dispute over proper administration of the estate or trust or interpretation of language in the governing instrument. The probate courts in Massachusetts have broad equity powers to resolve a variety of disputes that arise in state and trust administration. Our attorneys have handled many such matters to successful completion through these procedures. ADVISING TRUSTEES, BENEFICIARIES, PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES AND HEIRS Personal representatives and trustees can face questions and concerns from beneficiaries and co-fiduciaries. Similarly, beneficiaries can have legitimate questions, concerns or disputes with trustees and personal representatives. In addition to representing them in court, our attorneys regularly advise both fiduciaries and beneficiaries on ways to avoid litigation and, when possible, on techniques and strategies for amicably resolving disputes before going to court. Our clients include individuals, banks and trust companies as well as attorneys and other professional advisers and fiduciaries. SAVE TO PDF GILMORE REES & CARLSON Gilmore Rees & Carlson is home to one of the largest trust and estate departments in New England. In addition to this core practice, we offer accomplished real estate and litigation practices. PRACTICE AREAS Wills, Trusts & Estates Probate & Fiduciary Litigation Real Estate Legal Services NEWS The Secure Act Key Estate And Gift Tax Numbers For 2020 Some Cautionary Celebrity Tales; Why Careful Estate Planing Is Important Preplanning Funeral Arrangements CONTACT US Gilmore Rees & Carlson 70 Walnut Street Wellesley Hills, MA 02481 (781) 431-9788 Copyright © 2021, Gilmore Rees & Carlson PC