Attorney Phil Pires to Present at NBI’s Challenging a Will or Trust: Complex Tactics for Experienced Practitioners Webinar

On May 28, 2026, Attorney Phil Pires will speak at National Business Institute’s webinar entitled Challenging a Will or Trust: Complex Tactics for Experienced Practitioners. This course delves into the intricate and nuanced strategies involved in challenging (and defending) a will or a trust. Experienced attorney faculty will discuss which legal arguments work best in specific scenarios and will walk participants through two fact patterns they are likely to encounter. This advanced level course is designed for experienced attorneys.

This three-hour seminar will include the following:

• Explore case law that addresses the notoriously difficult-to-prove lack of testamentary capacity.
• Walk through illuminating scenarios involving alleged undue influence by caregivers and romantic partners.
• Improve outcomes in mediation and at court hearings with hard-won tactics from the pros.
• Gain insights into deed contests, covering issues of constructive fraud, forgery, statute of limitations, and sample causes of action.

Attorney Phil Pires will be covering the following topics:

Proving and Disproving Lack of Testamentary Capacity

1. Tests of Testamentary Capacity (Including Court Opinions Finding Decedent to be Incapacitated (or Not))
2. Investigation and Gathering the Facts of Decedent's Incapacity
3. Drafting the Petition to Invalidate the Will or Trust (With Sample Language for Various Fact Patterns)
4. Drafting the Response: Top Defenses
5. The Role of Medical Records and Doctor Testimony
6. Lay Witness Testimony

ADR, Settlement Negotiations, and Hearing Tactics

1. Mediation: Working Through Common Points of Contention
2. Drafting Settlement Agreements (With Sample Provisions)
3. Court Hearings: Tips and Best Practices

To register for this seminar, please click here.

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Philip C. Pires is a principal in the law firm of Cohen and Wolf, P.C. A persuasive and successful litigator, he has handled a variety of litigation matters including complex commercial disputes, breach of fiduciary duty claims, partnership and shareholder disputes, adverse possession claims, prescriptive easement claims, quiet title actions, landlord/tenant cases, and collection actions. Mr. Pires frequently appears in the Connecticut Probate Court system representing beneficiaries, fiduciaries, and creditors in a variety of probate litigation matters. In addition to litigation, he practices in the municipal and land use and zoning arena, regularly appearing before planning and zoning commissions, inland wetlands commissions, zoning boards of appeals, the Connecticut Siting Council, and other administrative agencies, advocating for applicants, developers, property owners, and neighborhood groups. Mr. Pires also regularly counsels municipalities and property owners in commercial and residential property tax appeals. As a former member of his hometown's governing board, his firsthand knowledge of the inner workings of town administration offers valuable insight to his clients. Recently, Mr. Pires was recognized in Legal 500’s 2026 Connecticut Commercial Disputes Guide and Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2025 for Private Wealth Disputes. Mr. Pires earned his B.A. degree from Haverford College and his J.D. degree, with honors, from the University of Connecticut School of Law.

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