Widow Lacks Standing to Sue Husband’s Lawyers Over Mishandled Will, Judge Finds

A widow who claims that the mishandling of her husband's will by his attorneys will cost her $9 million may not pursue a malpractice claim against them, a New York judge has ruled. The judge ruled that there was neither privity nor even "near privity" between the widow and the attorneys, William Bush and Richard J. Cunningham of Fulbright & Jaworski. The decision raises the question of who, if anyone, may sue in New York for malpractice when attorneys make mistakes in planning estates.