Archer is pleased to announce that attorney Matthew M. Nicodemo has been accepted into Class V of the Mid-Atlantic Fellows Institute of The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC).
The Mid-Atlantic Fellows Institute was established by ACTEC Fellows to develop the profession’s future leaders in trust and estate law through a series of in-depth
Archer
Unwavering commitment to delivering large-firm expertise with small-firm attention—no matter the size of the client, that is the foundational philosophy of Archer. As a full-service law firm with over 175 practicing attorneys, Archer serves businesses and individuals throughout every major area of law including corporate, commercial, family, real estate, and labor. Headquartered in New Jersey, the firm provides high quality legal services to clients throughout the United States.
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Steven Mignogna Elected to ACTEC Executive Committee
Archer is pleased to announce that partner Steven K. Mignogna was recently elected to the Executive Committee of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC). Additionally, Steven remains on the ACTEC Board of Regents.
Steven has played an active role in ACTEC over the years, including serving a five-year term as New…
Appellate Division Finds that Will Provisions Trump Property Settlement Agreement Where Conditions for Sale and Division of Real Property Interest Under the PSA Were Not Met
In re Estate of Canova, Docket No. A-1696-23, 2026 WL 305263 (N.J. Super. App. Div. Feb. 5, 2026)
Marianne Canova (“Decedent”) and Lawrence Cinelli were married in 1970 and had two sons, Mario and Genio. Thereafter, in 1976, the Decedent and Lawrence entered into a property settlement agreement (“PSA”), which was incorporated into their 1978…
Appellate Division Discusses Procedural Standards for Pleading Undue Influence
In re Estate of Olga Kolbik, Docket No. A-0782-24, 2026 WL 81510 (N.J. Super. App. Div. Jan. 12, 2026)
In this matter concerning the Estate of Olga Kolbik, the Appellate Division vacated a Chancery Division judgment invalidating a 2016 will on undue influence grounds and remanded for a new trial before a different judge. The…
New Jersey Supreme Court Addresses Standards for Legal Malpractice Actions Against Estate Planners
Christakos v. Boyadjis, 262 N.J. 477 (2026)
The New Jersey Supreme Court addressed when an attorney owes a duty of care to a non-client, such that that non-client can pursue a legal malpractice case. The Court held that a drafting attorney of a will owes no duty of care to a non-client, unless there is…
Appellate Division Reiterates the Standard for Sanctions for Frivolous Litigation
In the Matter of the Estate of Elise Morenon, No. A-0098-24, 2025 WL 3623723 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. Dec. 15, 2025)
In 2013 Elise Morenon (“Testator”) retained an attorney (the “Attorney”) for estate planning. Testator identified her family, her assets and how she wanted those assets to be distributed. Testator told The Attorney she…
Appellate Division Found the Trial Court Effectively Disinherited Defendant By Approving the Settlement Agreement
In re Estate of Sandor, No. A-0936-23, 2025 WL 3640043(N.J. Super. App. Div. Dec. 16, 2025)
Ralph Sandor died in 2019. Sandor’s nephew, Anthony Russo, Sr., died after Sandor. Defendant Lottie Russo is the spouse of Russo, Sr. Anthony Russo, Jr. (Russo, Jr.) served as Sandor’s agent pursuant to a power of attorney. Lottie and…
From the Front Lines of Undue Influence and Elder Abuse: Essential Ethical and Practical Advice
Partner Steven Mignogna will be among other national industry leaders presenting at the 60th Annual Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning. During Steven’s session, the panel will discuss recognizing and combatting undue influence and elder abuse. The panelists bring distinct perspectives: an attorney in private practice; a professor who has conducted empirical research; and the Public Guardian in Cook…
Hot Trends in Estate Litigation 2025
On December 15, Anthony La Ratta presented at the NJSBA online program “Hot Trends in Estate Litigation 2025.” During this annual seminar, attendees received a comprehensive review of recent cases and their significance to estate planning and estate litigation practices. An authoritative panel, including a retired judge and two attorneys specializing in estate litigation, shared…
Appellate Court Remands Trial Decision Invalidating a Deed Due to Insufficient Trial Record With Regard to Statute of Limitations
In re Estate of Guirguess, Docket No. A-3607-23, 2025 WL 3562540 (N.J. Super. App. Div. Dec. 12, 2025)
The decedent had three children. The decedent and one of his sons (a minor) were named as defendants in a personal injury suit in 1997. Shortly before that matter went to trial, the decedent transferred real…