What Happens to John Amos’ Estate After Elder Abuse Claims?
October 5, 2024 – Media MentionPrivate Client Services Partner Marc M. Stern was featured in an article published by PEOPLE discussing the legal complexities surrounding John Amos's estate after his death. While John was alive, his son and daughter accused each other of elder abuse, and the daughter obtained a no-contact order against his son (her brother).
Excerpts:
If one or both of his kids are his trustees and beneficiaries, then Stern explains that they will need to go through a legal process to put terms in place regarding their communication about the trust. If, for example, K.C. is the fiduciary, he would need to have an attorney mediating or make changes to the order.
“He [could] again go to court and say, ‘Look, I need to be able to talk to the beneficiary. What do I do here? Give me instructions so that I'm not violating the other order,’” Stern says.
“For example, if the daughter is accusing the son of stealing from dad, she may bring actions in connection with the distribution of his estate that the son was diverting assets, or using assets for his own purpose, or stealing from him, or whatever it may be,” Stern says. “It is entirely possible that [based on] these actions, that this is being set up to challenge some aspect of the estate.”