The subject matter at issue in probate litigation is almost always intrinsically human. We are dealing with a person who writes a will, an object of that person’s affection that receives the benefit under a will, and a person who, for lesser motives, preys upon the condition of the testator to gain an advantage under a will. To successfully pursue, defend, and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a will contest, the critical thing to understand is the person who wrote the will: why would that person execute this document?

A will, once executed, tells its own story. The ... Read More ›

After thirty months of hard-fought litigation, Adam Fried and Timothy Gallagher were pleased to obtain a defense verdict in favor of their client in an undue influence will contest case. Our client was accused by her twin sister of unduly influencing their mother to change her will. After four days of trial, the jury returned a 7-1 verdict in favor our client.  

This was Reminger’s fifth consecutive successful will contest representation at trial in the last four years. 

At Reminger, we have more than 100 combined years of experience guiding clients through Ohio's probate and estate ... Read More ›

In our new e-book, Overcoming Disinheritance: Decoding the Estate Plan to Find a Path Forward, Adam Fried reviews the anatomy of an estate plan to help you estimate the value of an estate and examine how inheritances can be diverted by bad actors. 

On October 12, 2021, Estates, Trusts, and Probate Litigation Group Co-Chair, Adam Fried, testified to the Ohio House Civil Justice Committee in opposition of HB 339, a proposed legislation involving electronic wills. Adam was asked to join a task force that included members of the Ohio State Bar Association Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Section Counsel and the Ohio Probate Judges Association to study and comment on this proposed legislation involving electronic wills. The task force met weekly for several months and came out with firm objections to components of HB 339 ... Read More ›

Adam Fried, Adriann McGee, and Mary Kraft co-authored "Filo v. Filo: An Illustration Of The Mechanics Of The Rebuttable Presumption Of Undue Influence And Jury Instructions" for the Probate Law Journal of Ohio.

While the presumption exists to make it easier to prove undue influence claims, it should be remembered that the same facts used to rebut the presumption can also demonstrate to a jury that undue influence was not exercised. This article explores the mechanics of the presumption through the case recently decided by the 12th District Court of Appeals in Filo v. Filo.

Reprinted ... Read More ›

In our new e-book, Should I Challenge My Inheritance?, Adam Fried reviews the key considerations to make when deciding to dispute your
inheritance.

Read the online publication here: Should I Challenge My Inheritance? 

Download the e-book here: Should I Challenge My Inheritance?Read More ›

Adam Fried authored "Representing a Beneficiary or Heir in the Quest of Information Necessary to Assess Rights in an Estate or Trust: A Survey of Process and Procedure" for the Probate Law Journal of Ohio.

When unknown inheritance rights are involved, those who have been denied information to which they claim entitlement will turn to counsel to get what they want. Silence breeds suspicion, and against the potential that a disinheritance was caused by a bad acting fiduciary, few would-be inheritors—righteous in their indignation—will simply walk away without a fight. While the ... Read More ›

Join Adam Fried, co-chair of Reminger’s Estate, Trust, and Probate Litigation practice group, for a five-part blog series exploring what makes for a good case or bad case to challenge inheritance rights. To read the full e-book, click here.

In part four, we reviewed economic considerations that go into a decision as to whether a claim of undue influence should be pursued. In the final part of this blog series, we will discuss considerations to make when selecting counsel for an inheritance dispute.

Part 5 - What to Consider When Selecting Counsel

A few years into my new job, more than ... Read More ›

Join Adam Fried, co-chair of Reminger’s Estate, Trust, and Probate Litigation practice group, for a five-part blog series exploring what makes for a good case or bad case to challenge inheritance rights. To read the full e-book, click here.

In part three, we reviewed red flags which can increase the likelihood of success in a challenged inheritance claim. Now, I will describe the economic considerations that go into a decision as to whether a claim of undue influence should be pursued.

Part 4 - Economic Considerations of Inheritance Dispute

In your heart, you believe your parent ... Read More ›

Join Adam Fried, co-chair of Reminger’s Estate, Trust, and Probate Litigation practice group, for a five-part blog series exploring what makes for a good case or bad case to challenge inheritance rights. To read the full e-book, click here.

In part two, we looked at the problems with proof in establishing or defending against an undue influence claim. Now, we will review red flags, the existence of which can increase the likelihood of success in a challenged inheritance claim.

Part 3 - Red Flags and the Misuse of Trust

1. Is the beneficiary a person in the trust or confidence of the donor? A ...

Join Adam Fried, co-chair of Reminger’s Estate, Trust, and Probate Litigation practice group, for a five-part blog series exploring what makes for a good case or bad case to challenge inheritance rights. To read the full e-book, click here.

In part one, we reviewed the elements of undue influence and discussed character and credibility of the potential challenger. Now, we will look at the problems with proof in establishing or defending against an undue influence claim.  

Part Two – The Problems with Proof 

Proving bad conduct, sufficient to overturn a will, is not always easy.  Most ... Read More ›

Join Adam Fried, co-chair of Reminger’s Estate, Trust, and Probate Litigation practice group, for a five-part blog series exploring what makes for a good case or bad case to challenge inheritance rights. To read the full e-book, click here.

Series Overview:

• Part One – Disappointment, Disinheritance and Disputes – What Should I Do?
• Part Two – The Problems with Proof
• Part Three – Red Flags and The Misuse of Trust
• Part Four – Economic Considerations of Inheritance Dispute
• Part Five – What to Consider When Selecting Counsel

Part One – Disappointment, Disinheritance and ... Read More ›

The impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic on our daily lives creates an opportune moment to address your estate/trust litigation dispute.  Whether because of the Ohio Supreme Court’s emergency orders extending deadlines and case management orders, or the recognition by litigating parties that there are far more important things in life than being locked in costly and difficult litigation, a unique moment is upon us to settle time consuming and costly disputes.  Often, however, an intermediary (mediator) is needed to help get the matter settled. Reminger’s estate settlement group is available to assist and serve in that role.   Read More ›

It goes without saying that COVID-19 has substantially disrupted our way of life. The attorneys in Reminger’s probate and trust litigation group are no different than anyone else, in that regard, and we sincerely appreciate your patience during these trying times. We hope that you are staying safe and we look forward to assisting you in person once again. Read More ›

Adam M. Fried, Co-Chair of Reminger Co., LPA's Estate and Trust Litigation Practice Group, has been invited to lecture to the Ohio Fellows of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) on the subject of extrinsic evidence and fiduciary litigation. This presentation complements the one Adam gave previously to the Ohio Probate Judges Association at their annual conference in June 2019.Read More ›

Adam M. Fried, Co-Chair of Reminger's Estates, Trusts, and Probate Litigation Practice Group, has been recognized by Ohio Super Lawyers Magazine in more ways than one this year.  Not only has Adam been listed once again as a Super Lawyer in their 2020 issue, Adam has also attained special recognition as "Top 50 Cleveland" and "Top 100 Ohio."  He also was profiled by the magazine in the article entitled "Don't Bother Looking for Hiccups in Adam Fried's Trial Prep."Read More ›

Between 2013 and 2017, financial institutions have reported to the federal government over 180,000 suspicious activities targeting older adults, involving a total of more than $6 billion. In 2017 alone, banks and other financial institutions filed approximately 63,500 reports with the U.S. Department of Treasury regarding suspected financial exploitation of older adults. That number has continued to rise. The full report by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau can be found here. These are only the reported figures. A 2017 World Health Organization study determined that 1 in 6 adults over 60 was the victim of some form of exploitation or abuse. Because of the feelings of shame and embarrassment that inevitably comes from being duped, and because of other circumstances where the person may not even know he or she is being exploited, these numbers are most likely low.Read More ›

Happy days! You just learned that your favorite uncle appointed you trustee of his trust and nominated you as his executor of his will.  The honor (he trusted you enough to install this mantle upon you), the power (you get to make decisions that affect beneficiaries’ lives), the riches (you get an income taxable fiduciary fee)–not so fast!  While there is certain honor in taking on that role, the office’s mantle carries tremendous responsibilities and risk.  Read More ›

Recently the Ninth District Court of Appeals made a ruling in the matter of In Re: Guardianship of Bakhtiar, which allows persons interested in the welfare of another the ability to intervene in guardianship proceedings if the party who is intervening can demonstrate an interest relating to the property or transaction that is the subject of the action.Read More ›

The House unanimously passed the elder fraud bill (SB 158) after voting 81-1 to accept an amendment on the floor to add appointees by the House and Senate minority leaders as ex officio members to the Elder Abuse Commission. "We want to make sure we have many voices that can contribute," Rep. Stephanie Howse (D-Cleveland) said.

 Read More ›

Adam M. Fried recently presented at The Marvin R. Pliskin Advanced Probate and Estate Planning Seminar, sponsored by the Ohio State Bar Association's Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Section. More than 250 attorneys from across the state of Ohio attended the full-day Continuing Legal Education course.Read More ›

The United Nations General Assembly has designated June 15^th as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). The event was established in order to put a global focus on the physical, emotional, and financial abuse of the older population. The goal is to help communities to recognize the signs of elder abuse and for governments to create policies to help protect the elderly from this type of behavior.Read More ›

Adam Fried will be presenting "Trustees Beware: The Fiduciary Exception to the Attorney Client Privilege and the Duty of Impartiality," at the Jewish Federation Council of Cleveland Professional Advisory Council's 46th Charitable Tax Seminar, held on Wednesday, June 6, 2018.Read More ›

Adam Fried is participating on a panel on NPR's "Sound of Ideas" program, broadcast on April 16th on 90.3 WCPN FM in Cleveland. The topic is "National Healthcare Decisions Day." Read More ›

Adam M. Fried will be presenting "Erosion of Attorney-Client Privilege: Fiduciary Exception," at the Dayton Bar Association's 2018 Probate Law Institute. 

Fried's presentation is is part of a full-day 6.0 Continuing Legal Education program. The CLE will be held on March 9th from 8:30 am to 4:15 pm at Sinclair Community College, Building 12.Read More ›

Reminger Co., LPA is proud to have served as a sponsor for the Marvin R. Pliskin Advanced Probate and Estate Planning Seminar, held in conjunction with the Ohio State Bar Association in Columbus, Ohio on Friday, September 15, 2017.Read More ›

October 26 - 29, 2017 - Denver, Colorado

Adam M. Fried has been invited to speak at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, which will be held October 26th through October 29th, 2017 at the Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado. Adam's presentation, entitled "Attacking Forensic Psychiatric Testimony," will be lead in tandem with forensic psychiatrists Stephen Noffsinger, M.D. and Sherif Soliman, M.D., and law professor Carolyn Dessin, J.D.  This 1.45 hour workshop will include role-playing, writing exercises, and other hands-on training.  Read More ›

Twenty-four Reminger attorneys were included on the 2018 Best Lawyers in America© list, including 17 from our Cleveland office, four from our Columbus office, two from our Sandusky office, and one from our Cincinnati office. Of that group, four were honored in the category of Litigation-Trusts and Estates, and Trusts and Estates.Read More ›

Reminger Co., LPA is proud to announce that Adam M. Fried has been honored as "Best Lawyers^® 2018 Lawyer of the Year” for Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Cleveland.

Adam received the recognition from Best Lawyers in America, a respected legal publication that selects its outstanding attorneys by conducting peer-review surveys in which thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their peers. Read More ›

Can a disinherited person force the production of information necessary to substantiate the efforts required to pursue a challenge to a Will, beneficiary designation, or Trust?

Isolation and manipulation of a loved one by those who are intent on deriving benefits from an estate are frequent realities in estate litigation cases.  Undue influence, the process by which a person’s mind is subjugated so that the decision-making is actually that of the perpetrator, is almost always done behind closed doors.  The byproduct of isolation and conduct perpetrated in the dark is lack of information.  Family members are left with only questions and no answers.Read More ›

Great wealth, in the trillions of dollars, will be transferred from one generation to the next as our population ages.  While most estates proceed as intended, there will always be greed and dysfunction among a small percentage of American families; so much so, that business for attorneys skilled in the pursuit or defense of estate disputes will be plentiful, as the number of disputes centered on challenges over the rights to a decedent’s assets will explode in the years to come. Read More ›

A parent of young children feels incredible stress and sadness when their children fight.  When healthy, the parent is capable of breaking up the fight or at least standing in between to force peace or at least stave off war.  But when parents age and their ability to take care of themselves diminishes, the power shifts.  Read More ›