Feb 2012 VLF Litigates Against Stepmother for Children to share in Dad’s Estate

In a case the resembles a Grimms Brothers Fairy Tale, The Vethan Law Firm successfully represented the four children of Dr. Alvin Wendt, a successful veterinarian/businessman, in a will contest concerning their father’s will against their former stepmother and estranged brother

Our Clients alleged that their father's third wife unduly influenced their father, after he suffered a stroke, for her own benefit from 2004 until his death on Dec. 14, 2010. In fact, even after the third wife divorced Dr. Wendt, VLF’s clients alleged she still had operational control of his business holdings.

Soon after Dr. Wendt’s death, a document was presented to the probate court purporting to be Dr. Wendt’s last will and testament. Surprisingly, the document named the third wife (ex-wife) and her children by another marriage as beneficiaries, but excluded Dr. Wendt’s four children (our clients). Our client’s learned that their estranged half-brother & step mother had petitions the probate court to control their later father’s estate. Additionally, soon after the will was filed in probate court, she filed a claim as the beneficiary of his life insurance policy, seeking to recover over $1 million in life insurance proceeds. The Long and short of it was that Dr. Wendt’s biological children were being cut out of their father’s extensive estate. VLF attorneys were able to stop her from taking the insurance proceeds, and obtained a court order to deposit the insurance proceeds with the court, preserving funds, pending resolution of the dispute

Upon a close examination of the will, VLF’s attorneys discovered several inconsistencies with the signature, initials on the will and the document itself. VLF Aggressively litigated the case, used a handwriting expert to substantiate our suspicions about the will, and cross examined the attorney who prepared the will. VLF also obtained evidence to show that Dr. Wendt has previously suffered a stroke which affected his cognitive skills.

After three days of trial regarding the decedent’s mental capacity and the authenticity of the will itself, the case settled, and VLF’s clients were, at last, able to share in their father’s estate. 

 VETHAN LAW FIRM 

Contact Us:
(713) 526-2222

 

 

Nov 2011 Angry Birds gets Thrown

ANGRY BRIDS US TRADEMARKS & COPYRIGHTS

The United States licensee for the wildly popular Angry Birds products, created by Rovio Mobile Ltd, sued VLF's client, a stuffed toy manufacturer based in Houston, Texas that makes and sells mascots for various corporations and colleges throughout the Southwestern United States. Rovio alleged that some of our client’s products violated the Angry Birds US trademarks and copyrights, and sought damages well into the millions of dollars.

After aggressively litigating the case, VLF proved to a United States Federal District Court judge that Angry Bird had obtained its US trademarks and copyrights at a later time than when the alleged infringement occurred. As such, most of Angry Bird's damages claims were drastically reduced, and VLF obtained a very favorable settlement of the case.

VLF continues to represent its clients in the most contentious trademark and copyright matters filed in the United States Federal District Courts in Texas.

VETHAN LAW FIRM  

Contact Us:
(713) 526-2222