Estate Plans When Assets Are Modest?

Legal experts provide practical advice about why it’s so helpful to have an estate plan—even if you do not have many assets. Estate planning means having more than a will or trust. Here is a helpful overview—and encouragement to get...

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Do You Need a Trust? What Type?

When you start working on your estate plan (a good thing to do), you may want to consider establishing a trust. What are some circumstances which make trusts useful?  What kinds of trusts are possible and what are the differences?...

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Charity? Clarify Intentions!

The ongoing difficulties among the founding families of Boar’s Head hit home the important lesson of making our intentions official—legally—before we die.  Privacy, Please? How much do you know about the people behind the Boar’s Head business and fortune? Chances...

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Wills: Terminology Explained

As you move from thinking you “should” make a will to getting on with doing so, you might encounter some confusing legal terminology. Don’t let that stop you. Here are a few basic terms to guide you on your way....

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Avoiding Conflict When Executing a Will

When you execute the will of a family member or friend, you are likely to find yourself coping with high levels of emotion as well as the legalities of the probate process, as you honor your fiduciary responsibilities. Estate experts...

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Excel at Execution: Will You?

  When the time comes to execute the will of a loved one or friend, you may find yourself with a growing list of duties and chores you didn’t quite anticipate when you accepted the commitment. Here is some friendly...

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Executing an Estate: What’s Prudent?

  Essential duties of executors include settling the financial affairs of the deceased and distributing assets to heirs based on the will. Sometimes, this means the executor is expected to sell belongings and real estate, so that money can be...

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Wills, Executors and Documents

  If you have made a will, you have probably also designated an executor to carry out the intentions expressed in it. Good for you—these are tasks many of us just can’t seem to bring ourselves to do. Next step:...

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Assets Passed Outside of Wills?

We all know—at least in theory—the importance of having a will that clearly communicates our intentions for passing along assets (be they few or many) It’s also important to appoint someone to execute the will (an executor). Along the way,...

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Testator Intent or Scrivener’s Error?

Testator Intent or Scrivener’s Error? A recent sibling dispute over a will in Texas underscores the importance of testator intent in probate law. An appeals court affirmed a trial court decision to reform a will, based on clear and convincing...

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