Many parents who have more than one child believe it’s only fair to leave each of their children an equal amount of money and/or other assets in their estate plan. However, “equal” doesn’t always mean “fair.” There are a number of reasons why parents might believe...
Probate is the process of distributing assets after someone dies. There are various ways to avoid probate or limit what assets go through the process at all. But it is often a crucial part of the process. Joint tenancy, meanwhile, indicates that two people are equal...
Unless you served as someone’s executor in the past, you may be learning the process as you go. The executor role brings with it many important responsibilities, and failing to follow certain guidelines may wind up costing you and your loved ones a good deal of...
Most estates pass through the probate process before the distribution of assets to heirs occurs. This process can take a long time depending on how large the decedent's estate is, how many heirs or beneficiaries they have and whether someone contests their will. There...
Many individuals don't have estate plans in place. The beneficiaries of those who do have a will or trust expect everything to proceed as documented in these estate planning documents once the testator or trust owner passes away. While most probated cases play out as...
If your loved one has passed away, one of the things that will need to happen is for all of their debts to be resolved. Claims may be made against the estate by their creditors, and that can be tough to handle. Understanding your role in this process is critical for...