Many people come up with all kinds of excuses to put off creating a Last Will and Testament either because (a) they do not have knowledge about the legal procedures or (b) they prefer not to think about their own mortality. Nonetheless, it is always wise to be prepared for the inevitable and create a will to ensure that your…
Probate is a complicated legal process that takes place when someone passes away. The individual named as the personal representative of a deceased person’s estate and family members alike may have a hard time navigating the probate process. In general, there are two types of probate: testate probate and intestate probate. Each has its own characteristics and nuances that affect…
Undue influence occurs when a person or group pressures someone to change their Last Will and Testament or other elements of their estate plan to benefit their best interest and usually involves financial gain. Legal matters can arise when an individual falls ill and a friend or family member steps in to provide care and becomes close to the individual,…
Understanding probate is crucial for estate planning and asset distribution after someone’s passing. Probate is the legal process of distributing a deceased person’s assets and settling debts. Assets that are exempt from probate can go directly to the designated beneficiaries, without waiting for the probate process to be completed. What assets go through probate? If you would like to know…
When a family member or loved one passes away, your goal is to honor their wishes if they have left a will. Sometimes, things can become confusing if you find out there are multiple versions of their will. This is not uncommon, but it may take more time to sort out and determine what exactly your loved one desired after…
Courts appoint a representative to settle the estate when a person dies without a will. The estate is frozen until the probate process is complete. The representative is also known as the fiduciary, and they have a legal responsibility when they take on this role. Their role consists of gathering assets and debts, paying bills and taxes, and distributing remaining…
When we reach a certain age, there comes a point when we begin to think about what we will leave behind once we pass on. It’s an inevitable part of life that is difficult to talk about, but essential to discuss and prepare for in order to give our loved ones solace, comfort, and resolution when we’re gone. One such…
In life, there are many eventualities that we have to prepare for, and one of most – if not the most – important of them is to whom we leave our estate and belongings. This is important especially for those who will be left to handle dividing the estate and deal with legal matters. There are many unknowns that need…
Very few things in this world are as painful and traumatic as losing a loved one. No matter how it happens, how expected it may have been, it still hurts. Loss is an acute and devastatingly powerful thing and it affects every aspect of those suffering from it, driving them into denial, rage, and depression. Nothing feels real, right? It’s…
Coping with the loss of a loved one is always a difficult, painful process, and one of the hardest parts is having to deal with the divvying up of property and funds in their honor. Especially when one is dealing with a large estate and plenty of possible heirs and beneficiaries, it can be a daunting ordeal for many. Now,…