An Executor’s Guide to Administering an Estate
Estate Planning 101: The Five Most Important Clauses for Wills and Trusts
Top Ten Mistakes Executors Make and How to Avoid Them
Creating a last will and testament is the first step in creating an estate plan – a critical planning tool to ensure that your wishes are honored and that your loved ones are cared for after your death....more
In Gordon v. Gordon, a couple created a revocable trust and named a friend, who provided financial advice, as successor trustee. No. 03-22-00454-CV, 2024 Tex. App. LEXIS 3611 (Tex. App.—Austin May 23, 2024, no pet. history)....more
If you’ve ever served as an executor, you may already know how complicated, stressful, and time-consuming the process can be. In fact, according to a recent study, the average estate takes the executor about 570 hours to...more
August is “National Make-a-Will” Month, the perfect opportunity to seriously consider your estate plan. Many delay this crucial task due to common misconceptions about what an estate involves. Here, we delve deeper into what...more
Once you have taken the essential step in formulating your estate plan, you must name an executor of your Will. Whom should you designate for this significant role, and what is expected of them?...more
In In re Estate of Maun, a brother sued his sister’s estate for her performance as executrix of their mother’s estate since the late 1980s. No. 13-22-00576-CV, 2024 Tex. App. LEXIS 52 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi January 4,...more
The executor of your estate acts as the quarterback of your estate plan. This person calls the shots for your estate and passes it through probate. Just like a football team scouting a quarterback, the decision about who to...more
The recently implemented Corporate Transparency Act (the “CTA”) requires that certain entities report information about themselves and their “beneficial ownership” to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network of the United...more
Kate Holbrook discovers that her chances of becoming pregnant are drastically reduced. Kate considers adoption, but a misguided social worker convinces her that her chances of being approved as an adoptive parent are limited...more
Choosing between a will and a living trust in Washington state can be confusing for various reasons. You may feel that you don’t know which estate planning tool will help you manage your financial portfolio or complex assets....more
The estate-planning process can be stressful and unpleasant. Many people put drafting a will off because they don’t want to think about leaving their loved ones behind. In some cases, people think they don’t need an estate...more
While undue influence claims are commonly asserted in probate proceedings, especially with the increased prevalence of dementia and similar disabilities, two recent cases from New York’s Appellate Division illustrate how...more
One of the most common questions raised by clients is: how often should I update my Will? The answer to this question must be examined on a case-by-case basis and is heavily dependent on each client’s ever-changing present...more
There are a number of considerations to make when deciding whether to proceed with a Will-based estate plan or a trust-based estate plan. First, as a general matter, there are two ways in which your estate can be distributed...more
Love may be eternal, but all relationships on this earth are guaranteed to end at some point. In fact, we know with certainty that every marriage is going to end in one of two ways, either by death or divorce....more
Why do you need estate planning no matter where you live, but especially in California? What is estate planning? Isn’t estate planning just for people with a lot of money, property and wealth? Why should someone just...more
When conflict arises in the settling of an estate – especially a high-net-worth estate – the parties involved may look to the courts to help resolve the dispute. Litigation is one way to settle probate disputes, but it is...more
While many think that crafting an estate plan like a will or a trust is a relatively straightforward matter, numerous considerations go into making an effective estate plan to provide for your loved ones....more
When it comes to estate planning, consider taking a page out of the Boy Scouts Handbook: Be prepared. The last thing you want is for your family to be scrambling to pick up the pieces after your death. Of course, you’ll need...more
In Many v. Ridgely, a decedent’s son and daughter were beneficiaries of her estate. No. 03-21-00520-CV, 2023 Tex. App. LEXIS 8189 (Tex. App.—Austin October 27, 2023, no pet. history)...more
California’s cannabis industry continues to struggle in this seemingly unending shake out period. Namely, hundreds of licensed cannabis companies are getting stiffed on A/R with an overwhelming inability to collect as those...more
What is the Probate Process in New York? Probate is the formal legal process that gives recognition to a will and appoints the executor or personal representative who will administer the estate and distribute the...more
As background, according to MCL 700.3203(1), a person named in a will to serve as personal representation has priority of appointment unless that person is disqualified. A person is disqualified if they are unsuitable to...more
It’s not enough for the founder of a closely held business to have successfully established the business. The business has to grow, not only to increase profits, but also to make it more competitive and to diversify its...more
When thinking of creating an estate plan, here are a few things to consider before finalizing your final wishes: Should you create a Will or a Trust? The essential difference between a will and a trust is that a...more