Case Results
Will Contest – Challenge Disinheritance
For years, our client was treated equally with her sibling under her parents’ estate plans. As her parents’ mental health declined, however, her sister took advantage of the situation and manipulated them into cutting our client out entirely.
By the time the dispute came to Brandy Baxter-Thompson of Baxter-Thompson Law, PLLC, the estate was valued at more than $27,000,000.00, and under the most recent wills our client was entitled to zero. Baxter-Thompson Law, PLLC, challenged multiple wills in both parents’ estates, alleging that the changes were driven by manipulation during a period of mental decline.
Ms. Baxter-Thompson prosecuted the case aggressively, pushing it forward through issuing lots of subpoenas, depositions, and requests for documents rather than allowing it to stall. That work changed the leverage in the case. Instead of forcing the family through a public and expensive trial, the matter resolved by settlement.
Although our client would have received zero under the challenged wills, she recovered $2.8 million through settlement.
By the time the dispute came to Brandy Baxter-Thompson of Baxter-Thompson Law, PLLC, the estate was valued at more than $27,000,000.00, and under the most recent wills our client was entitled to zero. Baxter-Thompson Law, PLLC, challenged multiple wills in both parents’ estates, alleging that the changes were driven by manipulation during a period of mental decline.
Ms. Baxter-Thompson prosecuted the case aggressively, pushing it forward through issuing lots of subpoenas, depositions, and requests for documents rather than allowing it to stall. That work changed the leverage in the case. Instead of forcing the family through a public and expensive trial, the matter resolved by settlement.
Although our client would have received zero under the challenged wills, she recovered $2.8 million through settlement.
Life Insurance Dispute Involving Ex-Spouse
This dispute arose after a man’s death, when his ex-wife attempted to take control of both his estate and a life insurance policy that named another woman as the beneficiary. The ex-wife had herself appointed as the executor of the estate and then used that position to try to redirect the life insurance proceeds to herself.
After the beneficiary hired Baxter-Thompson Law, PLLC, we moved quickly to challenge the ex-wife’s appointment and were able to undo it, removing her control over the estate. Ms. Baxter-Thompson also successfully defeated her attempt to end the case early through court filings designed to block the beneficiary’s claim without a full hearing.
With the ex-wife no longer in control of the estate and her legal arguments rejected, the matter resolved by settlement. Baxter-Thompson Law, PLLC, was able to ensure that the rightful beneficiary received the bulk of the life insurance proceeds.
After the beneficiary hired Baxter-Thompson Law, PLLC, we moved quickly to challenge the ex-wife’s appointment and were able to undo it, removing her control over the estate. Ms. Baxter-Thompson also successfully defeated her attempt to end the case early through court filings designed to block the beneficiary’s claim without a full hearing.
With the ex-wife no longer in control of the estate and her legal arguments rejected, the matter resolved by settlement. Baxter-Thompson Law, PLLC, was able to ensure that the rightful beneficiary received the bulk of the life insurance proceeds.
Will Contest – Caregiver Child’s Manipulation of Elderly Parent to Cut Out Siblings
One of eight siblings took advantage of her position as her mother’s caregiver and persuaded her mother to change her estate plan and beneficiary designations so that she alone would inherit everything, stealing the inheritance of her siblings. She later claimed that because she had taken care of her mother, this was simply what her mother wanted, a familiar theme in these cases.
Representing one of the disinherited children, Baxter-Thompson Law, PLLC challenged those changes by filing two separate lawsuits alleging that the mother lacked capacity and was unduly influenced when the changes were made. Baxter-Thompson Law, PLLC worked the case aggressively, taking depositions, gathering medical records, and building a clear record showing that the last-minute changes did not reflect the mother’s long-standing wishes.
That work created real pressure heading into mediation. Rather than forcing the family through a costly and time-consuming trial, the case resolved with a fair distribution of the estate among the siblings. The client achieved a just outcome while avoiding the expense, delay, and emotional toll of trial.
Representing one of the disinherited children, Baxter-Thompson Law, PLLC challenged those changes by filing two separate lawsuits alleging that the mother lacked capacity and was unduly influenced when the changes were made. Baxter-Thompson Law, PLLC worked the case aggressively, taking depositions, gathering medical records, and building a clear record showing that the last-minute changes did not reflect the mother’s long-standing wishes.
That work created real pressure heading into mediation. Rather than forcing the family through a costly and time-consuming trial, the case resolved with a fair distribution of the estate among the siblings. The client achieved a just outcome while avoiding the expense, delay, and emotional toll of trial.
Will Contest – Exploitation of Elderly Man by “Friends” to Cut out Family
When a man with no spouse or children died, his nieces and nephews expected to inherit his estate. They had remained part of his life despite living out of state and had long been the beneficiaries of his estate plan.
In his later years, the man developed serious cognitive decline. He was under the care of a neurologist and suffered from advanced dementia. During that time, a group of “friends” inserted themselves into his life, convinced him that his family members could not be trusted, and persuaded him to change his estate plan to cut them out entirely. These same individuals, who were real estate agents, arranged for the sale of his home and were paid a commission for selling this very valuable piece of real estate.
Representing the family, Baxter-Thompson Law, PLLC challenged the estate plan as the product of manipulation of a vulnerable person with significant mental impairment. Ms. Baxter-Thompson prosecuted the case aggressively, developing the medical evidence, uncovering the circumstances surrounding the property sale, and preparing the case for trial.
As trial approached and the evidence came into sharp focus, the case resolved on the eve of trial. Ms. Baxter-Thompson made sure the family recovered a substantial portion of the estate, avoiding the cost and delay of trial while correcting a serious abuse of trust.
In his later years, the man developed serious cognitive decline. He was under the care of a neurologist and suffered from advanced dementia. During that time, a group of “friends” inserted themselves into his life, convinced him that his family members could not be trusted, and persuaded him to change his estate plan to cut them out entirely. These same individuals, who were real estate agents, arranged for the sale of his home and were paid a commission for selling this very valuable piece of real estate.
Representing the family, Baxter-Thompson Law, PLLC challenged the estate plan as the product of manipulation of a vulnerable person with significant mental impairment. Ms. Baxter-Thompson prosecuted the case aggressively, developing the medical evidence, uncovering the circumstances surrounding the property sale, and preparing the case for trial.
As trial approached and the evidence came into sharp focus, the case resolved on the eve of trial. Ms. Baxter-Thompson made sure the family recovered a substantial portion of the estate, avoiding the cost and delay of trial while correcting a serious abuse of trust.
Will Contest - Defending a Parent’s Final Wishes
After a mother’s death, one of her children challenged a will that intentionally left him out – he had been left out of her estate plan for decades. He claimed the will was the result of undue influence and argued that another will should control the estate instead.
Representing the child defending the will, Baxter-Thompson Law, PLLC, focused early on forcing the challenger to support his claims with real evidence rather than speculation. When he could not do so, Baxter-Thompson Law, PLLC, asked the court to decide the case without a trial instead of allowing the dispute to drag on.
The court agreed and dismissed the entire will contest before trial. Ms. Baxter-Thompson’s strategy led to the challenger receiving nothing, and the mother’s estate plan and stated wishes were fully upheld.
Representing the child defending the will, Baxter-Thompson Law, PLLC, focused early on forcing the challenger to support his claims with real evidence rather than speculation. When he could not do so, Baxter-Thompson Law, PLLC, asked the court to decide the case without a trial instead of allowing the dispute to drag on.
The court agreed and dismissed the entire will contest before trial. Ms. Baxter-Thompson’s strategy led to the challenger receiving nothing, and the mother’s estate plan and stated wishes were fully upheld.
Will Contest – Successfully Defended Against Forgery Claim
In this case, the executors of the estate were faced with a will contest brought by a potential heir who claimed the will was forged and should be thrown out.
Representing the executors, Baxter-Thompson Law, PLLC focused on the evidence that mattered. Before trial, Baxter-Thompson Law, PLLC successfully kept the contestant’s proposed expert from testifying while preserving the testimony of our own expert. That ruling significantly narrowed the case and forced the challenger to proceed without the support he was relying on.
Ms. Baxter-Thompson tried the case for three days. After hearing the evidence, the court rejected the forgery claims, upheld the will, and ruled entirely in favor of the estate. The contestant received nothing.
Representing the executors, Baxter-Thompson Law, PLLC focused on the evidence that mattered. Before trial, Baxter-Thompson Law, PLLC successfully kept the contestant’s proposed expert from testifying while preserving the testimony of our own expert. That ruling significantly narrowed the case and forced the challenger to proceed without the support he was relying on.
Ms. Baxter-Thompson tried the case for three days. After hearing the evidence, the court rejected the forgery claims, upheld the will, and ruled entirely in favor of the estate. The contestant received nothing.
