Probate

Did a family or friend recently begin estate planning and asked you to be their executor? If this is your first time hearing about an executor, you may be wondering what the role entails. An executor shouldn’t be confused with an executioner, which would pose all...

A will is a powerful legal document that determines who inherits from an estate and possibly gives someone authority over minor children when their parents or guardians die. Individuals create wills to provide for their loved ones when they die and to have a lasting...

For many families, reviewing someone's will or estate plan is a technical process. Everyone already knows what to expect, so there are no surprises in the early stages of estate administration. For a small number of families, the terms in the estate plan will come as...

When you die, the biggest assets that you leave behind can help provide for your family members. Other than retirement savings or a life insurance policy, your primary residence is probably your most expensive asset. Whether you expect your family members to live in...

Dealing with the death of a parent can be extremely traumatic. Whether your parent died unexpectedly or due to a long illness, grieving can take a long time, and you may be unable to work or do simple activities for some time. It is important to give yourself the time...

Family members are often intimately familiar with the last wishes of their loved ones. You may have talked about their legacy or even been present when they met with an estate and probate attorney. Your loved one may have even had you select certain property to...

If you have recently lost a loved one, you will know that in addition to coping with the loss of one of the most important people in your life, you will also experience the loss of aspects of yourself and your own identity. This experience can be very disorientating,...

When your loved one dies, you may have expectations as to what you will inherit from him or her. But what if the deceased’s Last Will and Testament fails to make the inheritance provisions for you that you expected? Can you challenge the will?  Challenging a will can...

Estate planning can be a sensitive and painful subject, so it is understandable if you have been putting it off. Many people do not want to dwell on their own mortality, or that of a loved one.  Some people may suffer an unexpected loss, robbing them of the...

Real estate is always a special consideration in legal matters. When it comes to real estate that you leave behind after your death, there are several ways the court may handle it. What happens will depend on ownership of the property and your estate plan.  According...