Today’s New York Times carries a lenthy account of the alleged misdeeds of Brooke Astor’s former attorney, Francis X. Morrissey Jr. It seems that every time I run a story about Mr. Morrissey, I receive comments from friends and associates telling me what a great guy he is. I can only draw my conclusions from what I read (keeping in mind of course that our system of justice carries with it a cherished presumption of innocence) — and I am not too impressed. This article will help you to make up your own mind about Mr. Morrissey.
Continue Reading Astor Lawyer Morrissey Accused Of Numerous Improprieties

Today’s New York Times  reports on an estate conflict between two sets of stepchildren in Suffolk County Surrogate’s Court on Long Island’s east end. Those of us who do contested estate work are used to seeing people at their very worst , but this story is sufficiently over the top to attract the attention of "The Gray Lady" (as the Times is sometimes known). After Monique Eastman’s first husband Richard Spreyregen died in 1959, she subsequently met and married Lee Eastman, a prominent entertainment lawyer whose wife Louise was killed in an air crash. While they lived happily together for nearly thirty years, the closeness they enjoyed was not shared by their respective children.
Continue Reading Stepchildren War Over Estate Art Collection

Today’s New York Times has reported the indictments of Anthony D.Marshall, 83 year old son of the late Brooke Astor together with Francis X. Morrissey Jr. Esq. ,a former lawyer of the socialite who passed away in August at the age of 105. The two are charged with irregularities dealing with their activities involving the handling of her financial affairs.Continue Reading Brooke Astor’s Son and Attorney Indicted

Law Professor Gerry Beyer’s Wills, Trusts and Estates Prof Blog has picked up on an interesting story about billionaire Warren Buffet which ran recently on CNN. Testifying at a recent Senate hearing, Buffet voiced his opinion that efforts to end the estate tax are misguided and wrong for a variety of reasons.
Continue Reading Warren Buffet Opposes Ending Estate Tax

Chutzpah has been defined as pleading for mercy on the grounds that one is an orphan after killing both parents. Condemned killer Scott Peterson gives this new meaning after daring to apply for the benefits from the life insurance policy of his wife Lacie. This story is set forth in some detail in a recent…

Today’s New York Times has reported that the settlement talks being held in the Westchester County Surrogate’s Court to attempt to resolve the dispute over Brook Astor’s Estate have been put on hold while the New York County District Attorney presents the case to a Grand Jury for possible criminal action.Continue Reading Astor Estate Goes To Manhattan Grand Jury

The New York Times has reported that a Manhattan grand jury may be asked to investigate whether or not crimes were committed in the case involving 104 year old socialite Brooke Astor.As reported here last year, questions raised about irregularities in administration of the assets of the multi-millionaire heiress by her son Anthony Marshall as…

The PA Elder,Estate & Fiduciary Law Blog has reported that the Federal Bureau of Investigation has become interested in certain will contests and  estate litigation . While most of us do not think of this as an area that would capture the attention of an ambitions FBI Agent, the Bureau’s website might lead us to…