Estate / Wills & Trusts Planning & Management Expert Witnesses: 8

Marguerita M. Cheng, CFP®, CRPC®, RICP®, Chief Executive Officer at Blue Ocean Global Wealth, is a Certified Financial Planning Expert with 18 years of experience. Prior to co-founding Blue Ocean Global Wealth, she was a Financial Advisor at Ameriprise Financial and an Analyst and Editor at Towa Securities in Tokyo, Japan. Ms. Cheng is a past spokesperson for the AARP Financial Freedom Campaign and a regular columnist for Investopedia & Kiplinger. She is a CFP® professional, a Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM, a Retirement Income Certified Professional® and a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst. As a Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards (CFP Board) Ambassador, Ms. Cheng helps educate the public, policymakers, and media about the benefits of competent, ethical financial planning. She served on the Financial Planning Association (FPA) National Board of Directors from 2013 – 2015 and is a past president of the Financial Planning Association of the National Capital Area (FPA NCA). 

Marguerita Cheng CNBC Interview on Social Security 

Awards and Honors - Ms. Cheng is a recipient of the Ameriprise Financial Presidential Award for Quality of Advice and the prestigious Japanese Monbukagakusho Scholarship. In 2017, she was named the #3 Most Influential Financial Advisor in the Investopedia Top 100, a Woman to Watch by InvestmentNews, and a Top 100 Minority Business Enterprise (MBE®) by the Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council (CRMSDC).

Litigation Support - Ms. Cheng serves as a Women’s Initiative (WIN) Advocate and subject matter expert for CFP Board, contributing to the development of examination questions for the CFP® Certification Examination. She also volunteers for CFP Board Disciplinary and Ethics Commission (DEC) hearings. Services to attorneys representing plaintiff and defendant include financial due diligence, thorough reporting, depositions, and trial testimony as needed.

Areas of Litigation Expertise:

Financial Planning Issues Social Security Elder Financial Abuse

Financial Planner Standard of Care Financial Planner Code of Ethics Investor Rights

Scott S. Miller, MBA, ASA, ABV, specializes in Business Valuation and Transaction Consulting for small to middle market companies. He has over 35 years of professional business experience that ranges from senior operations management with publicly-traded companies to handling all aspects of operations in small privately-held manufacturing and service businesses.

Along with an MBA from the University of Houston, Mr. Miller achieved the Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) designation from the American Society of Appraisers, the Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) certification from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and has over 15 years of business / financial asset valuation and consulting experience. He is currently serving as Region 3 Governor for the American Society of Appraisers and is past President of the Houston Chapter for the ASA.

Prior to the formation of Convergent Capital Appraisers in 2007, Mr. Miller held positions with McClure, Schumacher & Associates, RR Donnelley Financial, several positions/locations with Bowne & Co., Inc., and Industrial Screenprint, Inc. 

Litigation Support - Mr. Miller provides expert witness services to attorneys for plaintiff and defense in need of appraisal services. His expertise is in business valuation of closely-held businesses and the appraisal of fractional interests of equity holders. His services include thorough review and reporting, depositions, and trial testimony as needed. 

Business valuation and appraisal services have been provided for a variety of purposes including, but not limited to:

Family Law Matters Shareholder / Equity Holder Litigation Buy-Sell Agreements

Buy-Sell Transactions Business Damages Estate and Gift Tax Matters

View Scott S. Miller's Consulting Profile.

One of the industry's leading law firm services experts, Michael J. Garibaldi, CPA, ABV, CFF, CGMA, has a strong background providing efficient and affordable solutions to the many complex issues facing the legal profession today.

A Certified Public Accountant licensed by the State of New York, Mr. Garibaldi is Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV), and Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF) by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). He is recognized as a Chartered Global Management Accountant by the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants.

Mr. Garibaldi works closely with law firms and other professional service firms, manufacturing, wholesale/retail, medical, technology, restaurant/hospitality, artists and galleries, construction, and real estate clients where he is responsible for providing accounting, tax planning management consulting services, and financial reporting.

Mr. Garibaldi provides valuation and litigation support services, assisting attorneys and their clients with the financial aspects of a case throughout the litigation process, from contemplation of action through expert witness testimony. He brings an in-depth understanding of the business and technical aspects of valuation, finance and accounting that is required in complex litigation and arbitration cases.

Mr. Garibaldi qualifies as an expert in valuation matters in the Supreme Courts of New York, Nassau, Suffolk, Kings, Richmond, Monmouth, Orange, and Westchester Counties, and has been called upon by the courts to serve as a neutral Expert. As an instructor of the AICPA Certificate of Educational Achievement Program in Business Valuation, Mr. Garibaldi teaches his specialty to other professionals.

Michael Garibaldi is a Candidate Member of the American Society of Appraisers (ASA), Member of the Institute of Business Appraisers (IBA), the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, the American Society of Appraisers (ASA), the AICPA and the NYSSCPA. He is a past President and former member of the Board of Directors of the NYSSCPA Nassau Chapter, and has held a variety of positions on the Litigation Support Committee of the Nassau County and State Chapters of the NYSSCPA. Mr. Garibaldi has also held a number of positions on other committees and sub-committees within these organizations.

Areas of Expertise:

Auditing Bankruptcy Business Business Law Business Valuation Lost Profits Mergers & Acquisitions Finance

Forensic Accounting Fraud Investigation, Embezzlement Personal Property Valuation Real Estate Valuation Trusts & Estates White Collar Crime Dissolutions Wrongful Death, Termination

View Michael J. Garibaldi's Consulting Profile.

Jeffrey A. Asher, Esq. is the Owner and Manager of the Law Offices of Jeffrey A. Asher, PC. He has been an Estate Planning, Estate & Trust Litigation, and Elder Law Attorney, in NY and CT, for more than 25 years. He is a member of the Trusts and Estates Law Section and Elder Law and Special Needs Section of the New York State Bar Association, and the Connecticut Bar Association.

Litigation Support - Having practiced in these fields for more than two decades, Mr. Asher concentrates primarily in the areas of sophisticated estate planning for high net-worth individuals and family businesses, asset protection planning to safeguard assets against creditors, estate and trust litigation, estate and trust administration, special needs planning, and elder law/long-term care planning. He counsels family business owners in the proper succession of their business ownership through the use of trusts and/or other succession planning techniques, such as key person insurance, buy-sell insurance, and split-dollar arrangements.

Mr. Asher is designated a Top-Rated Attorney by Super Lawyers(R) in the New York Metro Area in the fields of Estate & Trust Litigation, Trusts, Wills, Estate Planning & Probate, and Elder Law.

The Fight for Bobby Fischer's Estate

Areas of Expertise

Will or Trust Contests Estate and Gift Planning Special Needs / Long Term Planning Elder Law Medicaid Planning Probate Asset Protection Trustee - Beneficiary Disputes

Trust Management / Investment Disputes Accounting Proceedings Estate Planning Documents Power of Attorney Health Care Proxies Living Wills Succession Planning Techniques Key Person / Buy-Sell Insurance

Mr. Asher is a speaker at the National Business Institute, the New York State Bar Association, and a frequent lecturer at various financial institutions, civic groups, and community organizations. He is approved as a continuing education credit provider by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards and the Connecticut Department of Insurance. He is also a frequent lecturer for various financial institutions, civic groups, and community organizations, has been featured on radio shows across the country, and has been presented by the New York State Bar Association as a speaker on various topics.

View Jeffrey A. Asher's Consulting Profile.

Joseph B. Matheson, CPA, ABV, CVA, DABFA, FACFEI, CITP, CFF, CFE, is a Certified Public Accountant, with over than 30 years of public and private accounting experience. Mr. Matheson is a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) by the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts (NACVA, one of the oldest and most prestigious certification organizations) and is Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). He is also a Fellow of the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute (FACFEI), holds a Diplomate from the American Board of Forensic Accountants (DABFA), and is a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. In addition, Personal Financial Specialist (PFS), and a Certified Financial Forensics (CFF) all of which are earned from the AICPA. Mr. Matheson has taught various accounting and business classes for the Small Business Development Centers of New Jersey (part of the SBA), continuing education classes to other CPAs, and was a member of the Speakers Bureau for the New Jersey State Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Litigation Support - Joseph Matheson uses Forensic Accounting and Auditing skills to provide an analysis of financial records in conjunction with dispute resolutions, as well as fraud and theft investigation. His damage measurement methods can determine the extent of financial loss and illegal accounting practices. Mr. Matheson is qualified and testifies as an expert witness in New Jersey State and Federal Courts. He also provides analysis to mediation attorneys to assist in settlement.

Areas of Expertise:

• Business Valuation for bankruptcy, partner and shareholder disputes, contract disputes, marital disputes
• Valuation of closely held businesses, stock options and restricted stock for capital gain, gift tax and compensation purposes
• Wage and economic loss reports, business interruption loss reports, divorce (lifestyle analysis, tax-effected balance sheet preparation, alimony, and child support analysis)
• Investigative accounting and fraud analysis
• Merger and acquisition negotiation purposes

View Joseph Matheson's Consulting Profile.

Dr. BJ Hawkins, PhD, CLPF, is a Licensed Professional Fiduciary and a Business Expert who demonstrates a comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the duties and responsibilities of a Conservator and of a Trustee irrespective of the size or complexity of the Trust or the Conservatorship. 

Background Experience - Dr. Hawkins has more than 30 years of experience as a business executive with successful executive leadership in profit and loss, strategic planning and technology implementation. She has held C level and CEO positions involving crisis management, turnaround, and process re-engineering. Dr. Hawkins has headed multi-disciplinary teams that have implemented complex business solutions. She has manufacturing, supply chain, and professional service experience.

Dr. Hawkins' knowledge base includes analytical, academic, and functional expertise. She has had Court/Judicial appointments as a Trustee and a Conservator. The Court appointments have included highly contested matters and the need to rectify previous breaches of fiduciary duty and/or malfeasance.  She has been designated and testified in cases involving Trustee and Conservator Breach of Fiduciary Duty and malfeasance.  

In 2018, the State of California recognized Dr. Hawkins' expertise as a Fiduciary and knowledge of the tenets of the profession by an appointment to serve on the California Fiduciaries Bureau’s review committee on licensing. She is a former two-term President of the Greater Los Angeles Forensic Expert Witness Association (FEWA) and a multi-term past member of the FEWA National Board of Directors.  

Litigation Support - With 10 years of experience as a Professional Fiduciary and 14 years of experience as an expert witness, Dr. Hawkins has the expertise, skills, and experience to provide exceptional litigation support and expert testimony.  She has been designated and testified in Breach of Fiduciary Duty cases involving corporate officers and corporate governance. She has also been designated in cases involving breach of Spousal Fiduciary Duty and Financial Elder Abuse.   

Dr. Hawkins has been retained as an Expert Consultant and case advisor in a variety of business disputes including C-level corporate and partnership disputes and litigation involving closely held and family-owned businesses. An additional area of expertise is roles and responsibilities of a Trustee as dictated by the Uniform Prudent Investment Act (UPIA). Dr. Hawkins has testified in Mediations, Evidentiary Hearings, Depositions, and in Trials in Superior and Federal Court as well as before fact finding, legislative, and regulatory bodies.

Areas of Expertise:

Business Disputes Fiduciary Disputes Contested Trusts Heir Disputes Beneficiary Disputes Complex Business Issues Breach of Fiduciary Duty / Responsibility Self-Dealing Financial Wrongdoing Breach of Contract Corporate Governance Directors and Officers Competence and Compliance

Family-Owned Business Disputes Partnership Disputes Closely Held Business Disputes Breach of Spousal Fiduciary Duty Fiduciary Mismanagement Trustee, Executor Mismanagement Conservator Bad Conduct Disparity Institutional Racism Diversity and Inclusion Diverse Business Enterprises Minority Vendor and Supplier Disputes

Sanjay Adhia, MD, MRO, is triple-Board-Certified in Psychiatry, Brain Injury Medicine, and Forensic Psychiatry. In addition to forensic/expert witness practice, Dr. Adhia treats patients at renowned TIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital. His forensic practice focuses on the psychiatric impact of personal injury, medical malpractice, Multi-Plaintiff and Toxic Tort cases, testamentary capacity, undue influence and Dementia, TBI Brain injuries, competency, mental illness and complicating medical conditions. 

Dr. Adhia is among one of a select few Forensic Psychiatrists co-Board-Certified in Brain Injury Medicine. 

Dr. Adhia treats and opines about Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in litigation as it can result in psychiatric or neurocognitive impairments. He always assesses for Malingering.

In addition, Dr. Adhia works with Physicians for Human Rights to assess victims of kidnapping and false imprisonment, human trafficking, undue influence, physical and sexual abuse, rape, and fear of imminent death. 

In all populations, he assesses PTSD, Anxiety, Depressive Disorders, risk of suicide, and malingering. 

He is experienced in the treatment and impact of drug and alcohol abuse on decision-making. Dr. Adhia has also treated severe psychosis (Schizophrenia, hallucinations) and psychopathology. He formerly treated patients at a Maximum Security Prison and prison psychiatric hospital. 

Dr. Adhia’s findings consider complicating factors, e.g., emotional distress worsened by active physical and mental conditions, and pre-existing mental and physical illness (e.g. depression, PTSD, Dementia, Alzheimer's, medication.) 

As a physician, Dr. Adhia is uniquely qualified to review and examine and incorporate medical records and doctor reports in his reports. This is especially important in medical-malpractice & standard of care cases in treaters, inpatient, rehab, hospital, government, corrections and psychiatric hospitals. Dr. Adhia is skilled in these med-legal issues. 

He conducts Independent Medical Examinations, review of records, and reports findings to courts and attorneys. He is available to testify in civil, criminal, probate, Federal, Immigration, military, and administrative jurisdictions.

Kerry Mendes, M.D., Child, Adolescent and Adult Forensic Psychiatrist joined Dr. Adhia in 2022.

Violence Sexual abuse Malpractice and Standard of Care Alcohol and Drug Abuse Dementia and IDD Psychopharmacology Competency

PTSD Suicide Psychiatric Injury Will Contest Correctional Fitness for Duty Brain Injury

Elliott M. Stein, MD is a Geriatric Psychiatrist with over 40 years of experience caring for the elderly. Dr. Stein is Board Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in General Psychiatry (October, 1979), and in Geriatric Psychiatry (April, 1991; Re-Certified, December, 2001, and in April, 2011). He is licensed to practice in California and Florida. Dr. Stein was the Director of Psychiatry at the Jewish Home of San Francisco from 2010-2020, and the Medical Director of their Geriatric Psychiatry Hospital. He has treated older individuals, typically people who have complex combination of psychiatric and medical problems. Dr. Stein has been a Member of the Task Force on Testamentary Capacity and Undue Influence, for the International PsychoGeriatric Association.

Dr. Stein is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine. He is a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and a Distinguished Fellow of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry.

He is available to serve as an Expert Witness, do legal and forensic consultation, record review, and assessments concerning Psychiatric issues in older individuals. Dr. Stein offers his services to attorneys for both Plaintiff or Defense.

Areas of Expertise:

• Contested Wills and Trusts
• Testamentary Capacity, Undue Influence, Insane Delusions
• Geriatric Competence
• Dementia and Delirium, Alzheimer’s Disease
• Geriatric Psychiatry Evaluation and Treatment, Psychiatric Medication, Psychotherapeutic Issues
• Depression and Anxiety Disorders
• Relationship Problems between the Elderly and their Adult Children
• Aging and Mental Disorders
• Geriatric Psychiatry issues concerning Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Independent and Assisted Living Facilities
• Medicare Psychiatric Services Coding and Documentation

View Dr. Stein's Consulting Profile.