The probate courts exist in part to ensure the appropriate descent of property when someone dies and to protect the rights of individuals and businesses with an interest in someone's estate. The courts oversee the administration of sizable estates and also resolve any...
estate administration & probate
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estate administration & probate
What are the perils of being the executor of someone’s estate?
You may feel that being named the executor of someone’s estate is an honor – but it’s also a heavy responsibility that involves managing the deceased person's assets, paying off their debts, filing their final taxes and – eventually – distributing what is left to...
What is a living will, and do you need one?
A living will is a legal document that outlines your preferences for medical treatment when you cannot communicate due to incapacitation. It includes information about the type of health care you wish to receive or not, such as life-sustaining treatments, pain...
What can I do to minimize the cost of probate?
Drafting a will is without a doubt, one of the most responsible decisions you can ever make. However, creating a will is not always enough. You want to be certain that you will leave as many assets for your loved ones as possible. But how do you do this? If the cost...
Your choice of executor is crucial
Every will needs an executor responsible for acting on behalf of the estate when it’s time to implement your final wishes. Usually, an executor is appointed by the testator when making the will. If no one is named in a will to act as an executor, the probate court...
A medical power of attorney versus an advance directive
There are certain types of advance directives that you can create to express your medical wishes. For instance, some people want to use a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR). Others want to specify that they should only get certain types of care in very specific situations. As...
Why would you use a discretionary trust?
When many people decide to set up a trust as part of their estate plan, they pick a specific goal that they want to accomplish. For instance, you may hope that you can pay for your grandchild’s college tuition. You can set up an educational trust that states that the...
Why do you need powers of attorney designations?
There are many things that adults need to do to ensure that they have their affairs in order. Many understand that creating an estate plan is critical, but there’s more to think about than just determining who’s going to get what when you pass away. You have to set...
How does life insurance fit into your estate plan?
Life insurance can be a very valuable asset. If you’ve purchased a plan, it may be the main way that you leave money to your heirs -- whether your goal is to help them cover the costs of your own passing or just to give them a nice inheritance at the time. But how...
What happens to debt when you die?
When you take out a loan, you usually intend to pay it off. However, life does not always turn out as planned, and some people die before they have paid off their debts. That can happen with personal loans, car loans, credit cards and more. What happens to these debts...
