Understanding Estate Bonds: A Quick Guide

Managing the estate of a deceased loved one can feel like stepping into a complex puzzle, in part due to the legal protocols and terms. Among the many requirements you might encounter, one that often causes confusion is the estate...

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Understanding Estates and Estate Bonds: Advice for Families

Understanding Estates and Estate Bonds: Advice for Families “You can’t take it with you”—is frequently cautioned among family and friends. Yet, many of us can’t seem to bring ourselves to plan ahead for our valuables. Jump start with this simple...

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Estate in Conflict? A Guide to Probate Litigation and Court-Required Bonds

In most families, when a loved one passes away, the goal is to honor their legacy and intentions and ensure a smooth and peaceful transition of assets. Unfortunately, however, sometimes confusion, concerns, conflicts or other challenges can lead to probate...

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Is the Will Invalid? How Caveat Proceedings and Probate Bonds Protect the Estate

When a loved one passes away, the expectation is that their final wishes will be honored without complication. However, what happens when a family member discovers a version of a will that seems "off"? Or what if someone new suddenly...

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Understanding Intestate Succession and Fiduciary Bonds

When a person dies without a will, probate courts rely on intestate succession laws to distribute the assets to heirs. Court-ordered fiduciary bonds can become important in this process. Who Gets What? If there is no will—or if the will...

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Surety Bonds Ensure that Estates are Managed Honestly

Estate administrators and executors have a lot of duties in managing estates. They are accountable to all who have claims on a deceased person’s assets. They have to pay claims filed against the estate with estate assets. The assets have to be...

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Closing the Estate & Estate Surety Bonds in New Jersey

Administrators of intestate estates or executors under a will are required, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 3B:10-23, to settle and distribute an estate “as expeditiously and efficiently as is consistent with the best interest of the estate.” Closing the estate can commence...

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Estate & Probate Bonds: What You Need to Know

Estate bonds, also known as probate bonds, executor bonds, personal representative bonds, fiduciary bonds, and administrator bonds, are a type of court bond required by courts to protect the interests of an estate and its beneficiaries in accordance with applicable...

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Estate Planning: Start With The Basics

We all know we should have at least a rudimentary plan for our families and assets in case disaster strikes, but it’s hard to get started. Here’s help in the form of a rundown of the vocabulary commonly used in...

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Estate Planning: Who Will Hold the Keys?

When creating an estate plan, most people are initially focused on who gets what. But there is an equally critical question that often gets sidelined: Who will actually carry out your wishes? Designating the right fiduciary—and preparing them ahead of...

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