Robert M.
Harper
Estate Litigation
Trusts & Estates
Partner
Uniondale
T: 516-227-0625
rharper@farrellfritz.com rharper@farrellfritz.com
About Robert
Robert M. Harper concentrates in trust and estate-related litigation in Surrogate’s Court and Supreme Court. His practice includes probate contests, accounting proceedings, discovery and turnover proceedings, guardianship proceedings, and trust invalidation proceedings. He is also a frequent contributor to Farrell Fritz’s New York Trusts & Estates Litigation blog.
In addition to his work at Farrell Fritz, Rob is a special professor of law at Hofstra University School of Law. He also coaches Hofstra’s moot court teams.
Experience
- Co-authored amicus curiae brief, and served as counsel of record, for the New York State Bar Association in the Supreme Court of the United States matter of North Carolina Department of Revenue v. The Kimberly Rice Kaestner 1992 Family Trust.
- Co-authored a proposal to amend Rule 4503(b) of the New York Civil Practice Law and Rules to extend to revocable trust contests an exception to the attorney-client privilege, which the Governor signed into law in 2016.
- Authored a proposal to amend Mental Hygiene Law section 81.21, which the Governor signed into law in 2015.
- Instrumental in ensuring that proposals to amend Estates, Powers and Trusts Law sections 11-1.5 and 11-A-2.1 and Surrogate’s Court Procedure Act section 1724 passed the New York Legislature and were signed into law by the Governor in 2014.
Credentials
Education
- Boston College
- Chaminade High School
- Hofstra University School of Law
Bar Admissions
- New York
- New Jersey
Court Admissions
- U.S.D.C., Eastern District of New York
Affiliations & Appointments
- Nassau County Bar Association, Director
- American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), Fellow
- New York State Bar Association, Trusts & Estates Law Section, Former Chair, Treasurer and Secretary, Past Governmental Relations and Legislation Co-Chair and Past Delegate to the House of Delegates
- Nassau County Bar Association, Judiciary Committee Member
- Suffolk County Bar Association, Former Director and Past Surrogate's Court Committee Co-Chair
- New York Bar Foundation, Fellow
- Suffolk Academy of Law, Past Officer
Articles & Advisories
NYSBA Trusts and Estates Law Section Journal: Message from the Chair Winter 2020
Robert Harper, Chair of the NYSBA, Trusts and Estates Law Section, gives thanks to several of the many Section members, among…
February 14, 2020
Administering Digital Assets
In 2016, the Legislature enacted Article 13-A of the Estates, Powers and Trusts Law, New York’s digital assets legislation. Article…
January 27, 2020
NYSBA Trusts and Estates Law Section Journal: Message from the Chair Fall 2019
Robert Harper, Chair of the NYSBA, Trusts and Estates Law Section, addresses member contributions that advance the Section’s objectives and…
December 09, 2019
NYSBA Trusts and Estates Law Section Journal: Message from the Chair
Robert Harper, Chair of the NYSBA, Trusts and Estates Law Section, addresses member contributions that advance the Section’s objectives and…
August 19, 2019
Message from the Incoming NYSBA Trusts & Estates Section Chair
With the holiday season (as wonderful as it was) now in the past, and the new year (with all of…
March 08, 2019
The Digital Footprint After Death: Who Wears the Shoes?
Email, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Tumbler, online banking, online shopping and other forms of electronic communications comprise our digital…
September 11, 2017
Pro Bono Appeal: Navigating Inconsistencies in Posthumous DNA Testing Statutes
Family Court Act § 519 and Estates Powers and Trusts Law (“EPTL”) § 4-1.2 both address a child’s right to…
December 22, 2016
Surrogate’s Court Procedure Act Article 17-A and Its Ever-Changing Landscape
Article 17-A (“Article 17-A”) of the Surrogate’s Court Procedure Act (“SCPA”) has garnered a great deal of attention in the…
December 04, 2016
The Application of the Attorney-Client Privilege in Revocable Trust Contests
April 10, 2015
New York’s Estates, Powers & Trusts Law § 5-1.4: Why Divorce May Not You & Your Ex-Spouse’s Relatives Part
This article was first published with Quinnipiac Probate Law Journal (27 Quinnipiac Prob. L. J. 434). Rebecca T. Goldberg, an associate…
July 23, 2014
Testamentary Capacity, Summary Judgment and a Testator’s Diagnosis of Dementia
March 27, 2014
2013 Legislative Update and Summary
Reprinted with permission from: Trusts and Estates Law Section Newsletter, Fall 2013, Vol. 46, No. 3, published by the New…
September 01, 2013
Vacating Probate Decrees
Reprinted with permission from Trusts and Estates Law Section Newsletter Fall/Winter 2012, Vol. 45, No. 3, published by the New…
December 31, 2012
Exoneration Clauses in Inter Vivos Trust Instruments
Reprinted with permission from: Trusts and Estates Law Section Newsletter, Summer 2012, Vol. 45, No. 2, published by the New…
October 03, 2012
Incomplete Protection: Exoneration Clauses in New York Trusts and Powers of Attorney
July 10, 2012
2011 Legislation Update
Farrell Fritz, P.C. trusts and estates associate, Robert M. Harper, co-authored this article with Ian W. MacLean, principal attorney in…
June 01, 2011
Life After Death: The Authority of Estate Fiduciaries to Dispose of Decedents’ Reproductive Matter
Reprinted with permission of the Touro Law Review. Further duplication without permission is prohibited. For information, contact the Touro Law…
June 01, 2010
Exoneration Clauses – Not All They’re Cracked Up to Be
Reprinted with permission from: New York State Bar Association Journal, October 2009, Vol. 81, No. 8, published by the New…
October 01, 2009
Cutting Family Ties: The Inheritance Rights of Adopted-Out Children
Reprinted with permission from the New York State Bar Association Journal, February 2009, Vol. 81, No. 2, published by the…
February 25, 2009
Robert M. Harper, Associate, Authors "Dead Hand Problem"
“Dead Hand Problem: Why NY’s Estates, Powers and Trusts Law Should be Amended to Treat Posthumously Conceived Children as Decedents’…
December 18, 2008
Separation Agreement or Stipulation Impact on Statutory Right of Election Divorce Settlement
November 01, 2008
Vacating Surrogate’s Court Judgments, Orders and Decrees
Reprinted with permission from the New York State Bar Journal, July/August 2008, Vol. 80, No. 6, published by the New…
July 01, 2008
News
Trusts and Estates in the Time of Coronavirus
Robert Harper, Partner at Farrell Fritz, was quoted in an article by the New York State Bar Association, titled Trusts…
March 27, 2020
Tech skills: Lawyer gives lecture in passing on digital assets after death
[Robert Harper] gave an insightful lecture to fellow legal eagles on the importance of knowing the ins and outs of…
May 01, 2019
Ones to Watch in Law: Robert Harper
Robert Harper, who is counsel in the estate litigation department of Uniondale-based Farrell Fritz, concentrates in trust and estate-related litigation…
April 08, 2019
Man Who Killed Fiancée Could Inherit $577,000 from Her Life Insurance Policies
Farrell Fritz estate litigation associate, Robert M. Harper, was quoted in this article: Slayer law A “slayer law” in New…
October 04, 2015
Farrell Fritz Associates to Receive Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce’s Celebrate LI’s Young Professionals Recogni
March 12, 2009
T&E Associate, Robert M. Harper, Authors Article on NY Law & Posthumously Conceived Children
Dead Hand Problem: Why New York’s Estates, Powers and Trusts Law Should Be Amended to Treat Posthumously Conceived Children as…
November 25, 2008
Press Releases
23 Farrell Fritz Attorneys Recognized as 2023 Leading Lawyers in Their Respective Areas of Practice
Farrell Fritz has a combined total of 23 attorneys selected to the 2023 New York Metro Super Lawyers and New…
September 26, 2023
29 Farrell Fritz Attorneys Recognized as 2024 Leading Lawyers by Best Lawyers
Farrell Fritz congratulates 19 attorneys on being selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2024.…
August 18, 2023
Robert M. Harper Installed to Board of Directors at the Nassau County Bar Association
Farrell Fritz is pleased to announce that Trusts & Estates partner, Robert M. Harper, has been installed to the Board…
June 06, 2023
22 Farrell Fritz Attorneys Recognized as 2022 Leading Lawyers in Their Respective Areas of Practice
Farrell Fritz has a combined total of 22 attorneys selected to the 2022 New York Metro Super Lawyers and New…
September 29, 2022
27 Farrell Fritz Attorneys Recognized as 2021 Leading Lawyers in Their Respective Areas of Practice
Farrell Fritz has a combined total of 27 attorneys selected to the 2021 New York Metro Super Lawyers and New…
September 30, 2021
30 Farrell Fritz Attorneys Recognized as 2020 Leading Lawyers in Their Respective Areas of Practice
Farrell Fritz has a combined total of 30 attorneys selected to the 2020 New York Metro Super Lawyers and New…
November 04, 2020
Farrell Fritz Promotes Four Attorneys in Its Uniondale Office
Farrell Fritz is pleased to announce the promotions of Robert M. Harper and Franklin C. McRoberts to partner and Jennifer…
December 19, 2019
29 Farrell Fritz Attorneys Recognized as 2019 Leading Lawyers in Their Respective Areas of Practice
Farrell Fritz has a combined total of 29 attorneys selected to the 2019 New York Metro Super Lawyers and New…
September 17, 2019
Robert M. Harper, Edward D. Baker, Cheryl L. Erato, and Nicholas G. Moneta Receive New York State Bar Association Appointments
On January 16, 2019, Robert M. Harper began a one-year term as Chair of the NYSBA’s Trusts & Estates Law…
January 21, 2019
30 Farrell Fritz Attorneys Recognized as 2018 Leading Lawyers in Their Respective Areas of Practice
Farrell Fritz had a combined total of 30 attorneys selected to the 2018 New York Metro Super Lawyers and New…
September 13, 2018
Robert M. Harper of Farrell Fritz to be Honored by Touro Law Center as a Public Interest/Pro Bono Attorney of the Year
Farrell Fritz is pleased to announce that Robert M. Harper, counsel in the firm’s estate litigation practice group, will be…
March 14, 2018
Farrell Fritz Receives Tier 1 Ranking in 2018 U.S. News – Best Lawyers’ “Best Law Firms”
Farrell Fritz is pleased to announce that, for the sixth consecutive year, the firm has received a Tier 1 Ranking…
November 01, 2017
31 Farrell Fritz Attorneys Recognized as 2017 Leading Lawyers in their Respective Areas of Practice
Farrell Fritz had a combined total of 31 attorneys selected to the 2017 New York Metro Super Lawyers and New…
September 20, 2017
Farrell Fritz Promotes Five Attorneys in its Uniondale Office
Farrell Fritz is pleased to announce the promotions of Kathryn (Katy) Carney Cole, David (Dave) M. Curry, Kristina M. Wesch…
January 04, 2017
30 Farrell Fritz Attorneys Recognized as 2016 Leading Lawyers in their Respective Areas of Practice
Farrell Fritz had a combined total of 30 attorneys selected to the 2016 New York Metro Super Lawyers and New…
September 21, 2016
Robert M. Harper Appointed to NYSBA Committee on Civil Practice Law and Rules
Farrell Fritz congratulates Robert (Rob) M. Harper on his recent appointment to the New York State Bar Association’s Committee on…
June 10, 2016
30 Farrell Fritz Attorneys Recognized as 2015 Leading Lawyers in their Respective Areas of Practice
Farrell Fritz had a combined total of 30 attorneys selected to the 2015 New York Super Lawyers and New York…
September 16, 2015
Robert M. Harper Elected to the Suffolk County Bar Association’s Board of Directors
Congratulations to our associate Robert M. Harper on his recent election to the Suffolk County Bar Association’s (SCBA) board of…
May 05, 2015
Robert M. Harper Appointed Co-Chair of the Suffolk County Bar Association’s Surrogate’s Court Committee
Farrell Fritz congratulates trusts and estates associate Robert M. Harper on his recent appointment as co-chair of the Suffolk County…
October 20, 2014
Farrell Fritz Attorneys to Receive Long Island Business News’ “2014 Leadership in Law” Awards
Farrell Fritz warmly congratulates Charlotte A. Biblow, Heather P. Harrison and Robert M. Harper on being selected to receive Long…
October 03, 2014
30 Farrell Fritz Attorneys Recognized as 2014 Leading Lawyers in their Respective Areas of Practice
Farrell Fritz had a combined total of 30 attorneys named to the 2014 New York Super Lawyers and New York…
September 23, 2014
Robert M. Harper Named Fellow of The New York Bar Foundation
Farrell Fritz is pleased to announce that Robert M. Harper has recently been named Fellow of The New York Bar…
May 23, 2014
Robert M. Harper of Farrell Fritz Named Co-Chair of the NYSBA Trusts and Estates Law Section’s Legislation & Governmental Relations Committee
Robert M. Harper, an associate in Farrell Fritz’s trusts and estates department, has been named co-chair of the New York…
January 25, 2013
Farrell Fritz Associate, Robert M. Harper, Elected Suffolk Academy of Law Officer
Farrell Fritz is pleased to announce that trusts and estates associate Robert M. Harper has recently been elected an officer…
June 05, 2012
Robert M. Harper Helps Lead Hofstra Law Team to Regional Championship at National Moot Court Competition
Robert M. Harper is a trusts and estates associate at Farrell Fritz, an Adjunct Instructor at the Maurice A. Deane…
December 01, 2011
Farrell Fritz Associate, Robert M. Harper, Appointed to NYSBA Trust & Estates Law Section Committee
Farrell Fritz, P.C. is pleased to announce that trusts and estates associate, Robert M. Harper, has been appointed Vice Chair…
February 03, 2011
Farrell Fritz Associates Making a Difference in the Legal Community
Farrell Fritz, P.C. congratulates three of its trusts and estates associates for their exemplary volunteer efforts in supporting the Suffolk…
April 15, 2010
Farrell Fritz Associates to Receive Huntington CofC’s Celebrate LI’s Young Professionals Recognition Award
March 05, 2009
Recognition
AV Preeminent Martindale- Hubbell
Peer Review Rating
Touro Law Center
Public Interest/Pro Bono Attorney of the Year 2018
Super Lawyers
New York Metro Rising Stars (Estate & Trust Litigation) 2015–Present
Long Island Business News
Ones to Watch in Law 2011