In Re the Estate of Hunter

OPINION OF THE COURT

Graffeo, J.

In this case we are required to decide whether the doctrine of res judicata applies to judicial proceedings settling an estate and a trust accounting, submitted by a bank that acted both as executor and as trustee. Under the facts and circumstances presented here, we conclude that the beneficiary of a separate testamentary trust managed by the same bank is precluded from raising objections to the fiduciary’s actions that could have been raised in prior proceedings.

I. Background

This case arises following more than 20 years of fiduciary involvement with the assets…