When it comes to matters of estate planning, there are generally two tools that are most often discussed: revocable living trusts, and the last will and testament. However, choosing between them is not completely straightforward – they each have their benefits, drawbacks, and overall effectiveness depends largely upon your financial situation and a few other
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Probate comes from the old Latin and English for proving, giving a big clue on what the process is meant to do. A probate process illuminates the contents of a last will and testament and proves them, legitimizing the will and authorizing its execution at the hands of a capable and court-appointed estate executor. The
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Most Americans lack any sort of estate plan or will whatsoever, which can be to a huge detriment to their family after death. While the law tries and makes the probate process as simply and straightforward as possible, it can be a distressing experience for a family to deal with the consequences of no end-of-life
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The law provides people with many ways to protect their property, and ensure that their will is properly executed after their death. When you own something, you have a vast level of control over your property. You can change it, damage it, tear it down, repurpose it, or safeguard it. However, when you’re dead, all
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Estate planning is the art of ensuring that your wealth remains as untouched as possible, without cheating the government out of any necessary taxes. A legally sound and competent estate plan can be the make-or-break difference between paying millions of dollars in taxes, or leaving your inheritors with an estate that is mostly intact. Among some of
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Probate litigation can be described as any attack upon the legitimacy of a Last Will and Testament, either through challenging the appointment of a representative, or an aspect (or the entirety) of the will itself. There are many viable reasons to pursue litigation against the fulfillment of a will, including factors that may have influenced
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A trust is only worth what you fund it with – so if you decide not to fund your trust, it is effectively useless. Yet even only selectively funding your trust or neglecting to add new assets to your trust can present issues in your estate planning process, and leave your loved ones with several
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When life ends, we lose our need for material wealth. While no one knows what lies beyond a grave, we do know that our properties and belongings will not do us much good – and instead, we seek to pass these on to the next generation. However, the world of property laws and ownership is
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Regardless of where you are in life, contemplating your own death and the events that might follow is normal. We live in uncertain times, and worrying about the future is only natural. Yet what you should not be worried about is the safety of your assets in the event of your passing. Peace of mind
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