Two Long Island attorneys were suspended for two years in connection to their work probating a will for a client who named them and the client’s accountant as alternative beneficiaries.
In disciplining John M. Bigler of Wantagh and his associate, Louis Pugliese, the Appellate Division, Second Department scrutinized their work for Bernard Goldman, who wanted his elderly sister, Sylvia Fisher, cared for if he predeceased her. The will established a supplemental needs trust for Fisher as the primary beneficiary. In addition to being alternative beneficiaries, Bigler and Pugliese were named cotrustees of the trust.
