Estate Administration

When someone passes away, their belongings go through a legal process called probate. This helps ensure everything is passed down to the right people. While most people think of bank accounts and homes, people sometimes have one-of-a-kind treasures, such as a vintage...

When a loved one passes away, the expectation is often that their estate will be passed down to the beneficiaries named in their will or trust. However, the reality can be more complicated, especially when debts come into play.  One common and troubling question many...

Probate disputes can happen for a number of reasons, and one of the most common is undue influence. The claim is essentially that someone else influenced the estate plan. It doesn’t reflect the person’s true wishes. Often, the person who is accused of using undue...

One concern that people have when considering estate administration and their potential inheritance is that their parents may have a high level of debt. Parents may have mortgage loans, car loans, credit card debt and much more. This debt may be substantially higher...

If someone has named you as an executor of their will, they likely believe you are a trustworthy and organized individual who will fulfill their final wishes. You, on the other hand, may feel completely overwhelmed and unsure how to begin. Having a clear understanding...

Too many people – even elderly ones – never get around to creating a will (let alone any other estate plan documents) before they die. That means most of their assets will end up being distributed among family members based on their familial relationship – regardless...

The key function of a will is to provide instructions on how assets are divided upon the testator’s death. If the testator has children, the will can also name guardians. These are individuals tasked with raising the child should the testator pass away.  For a will to...

Being given the role of estate executor can be considered an honor. It means the decedent trusted you to act in the best interests of their loved ones and their estate. However, it comes with significant financial responsibilities and fiduciary duties, which require...

If you are making an estate plan, you may want to use a power of attorney. There are two main types to consider. The first is a financial power of attorney, which allows an agent to do things like accessing bank accounts, transferring real estate or paying taxes. The...

Estate disputes can be highly problematic. In some cases, adult children never talk to one another again. This is why avoiding these disputes is one of the main goals for those who are drafting an estate plan. But disputes can and do happen, so it is also important...