The New Hampshire Judicial Branch has announced the formation of a dedicated trust court. The trust court, which formally is the trust docket of the probate division, will focus on complex trust litigation. In announcing its decision to create the trust court, the judicial branch cited New Hampshire’s stature as a leading trust jurisdiction within the nation and the growing trust-related activity that is taking place within the state. With the formation of the trust court, New Hampshire will be the first state in the nation with a specialty court dedicated to complex trust and estate litigation.

Commenting on the announcement, Todd D. Mayo, President of the New Hampshire Trust Council and Principal of Perspecta Trust states, “the New Hampshire Trust Council is very pleased with the state’s adoption of a trust court, as it provides resources and expertise to a growing part of New Hampshire’s economy. This effort will only serve to foster this increased activity, and ensure that trust matters are heard by those well-versed in trust and estate matters.”

Presiding over the trust court will be Judge Gary Cassavechia, a well-respected jurist and member of New Hampshire’s probate bench since 1981. Judge Cassavechia has extensive experience handling complex trust litigation, most notably presiding in the Tamposi v. Tamposi case, which was ultimately brought to the New Hampshire Supreme Court.

The trust court will start handling cases on January 1, 2014.