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
The RIA Compliance and Legal Strategies Conference is back at our offices in Hamilton, NJ. The Conference is an essential event for RIAs and IARs to gain a valuable understanding of current regulatory and compliance-related...more
According to a recent study conducted by Consumer Affairs, the average American moves 11.7 times in their lifetime. While the majority of these moves occur within the same county, or city, millions of Americans move every...more
When One Direction's 31-year-old band member, Liam Payne, fell from an Argentinian hotel balcony to his tragic death in October 2024, he left his then 8-year-old son, Bear, fatherless. However, as the sole heir to his...more
Of all the scary stories that can arise in estate planning, few scenarios are more genuinely terrifying than the chaos that unfolds when someone dies without a Will and other key estate planning documents in place. The...more
When a loved one or friend passes away, they often leave a large amount of personal property to be distributed. This article addresses the distribution of a decedent’s personal property and disputes concerning its...more
If you think your estate planning is a one and done task, think again. As you and your family grow and change, your estate plan needs to change and develop right along with you. That estate plan you thoughtfully created years...more
Are you affected by a Will or a Trusts that is out-of-date or contains substantial errors impacting its ability to administer assets or appoint executors and trustees? There are options available to remedy some types of...more
The Illinois Appellate Court recently held that a breach of fiduciary duty claim, brought by one sibling against another, was in effect a claim against their father’s estate and therefore time-barred....more
The legal saga surrounding the estate of Dr. Laura Dean Head—a respected professor at San Francisco State University—is a powerful example of how undue influence and disinheritance can put an estate at risk and take years to...more
The Virginia General Assembly passed several laws that affect trust and estate litigation in Virginia in 2025. They include more protections for estate planners, simplification of transfer-on-death deed revocation under...more
A Legacy Complicated by Litigation - Tony Bennett died in 2023 at age 96. Known worldwide for his timeless hit “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” and celebrated late-career performances alongside Lady Gaga, Bennett’s estate...more
Benjamin Franklin famously said that the only two certainties in life are death and taxes. A close third would be family squabbles over who gets the personal property when someone dies. Even a well-thought-out estate plan may...more
Steven Kriz was recently quoted in a Chicago Tribune article aimed at demystifying estate planning, where he provided insights about the documents included in a basic estate plan, how to select the right executor, and the...more
Virginia has specific provisions for those wishing to arrange for the disposition of their body upon their death. Virginia Code § 54.1-2825 states that any person can create a signed, notarized document identifying who the...more
When most people think about estate planning, their minds often go straight to the big-ticket items: the family home, retirement accounts, life insurance, and investments. In reality, it is almost always the personal...more
A well-designed estate plan helps cement your legacy, but that doesn’t mean it’s set in stone. Changing family circumstances, fluctuating financial markets, health issues and other factors can impact the effectiveness of your...more
Every August, National Make-A-Will Month serves as a reminder of something most people would like to avoid. Planning for the end of life. Creating a will isn’t about dwelling on death. It is about taking control, protecting...more
We all expect to feel grief and sadness after the loss of a loved one. What many people don’t anticipate is the sudden burden of administrative tasks that follow death, from bills to be paid and accounts to be closed. In the...more
Executors play a crucial role in managing and distributing an estate according to the wishes outlined in a will. But what happens when an executor steps outside their duties or abuses their power?...more
What you need to know before appointing an executor under your Will - Appointing the right executor is one of the most important decisions when preparing a Will. Executors play a central role in the administration of an...more
When someone dies, the task of settling the person’s estate descends upon the personal representative. Being appointed a personal representative, or “executor,” is an honor that includes a broad range of responsibilities....more
August is National Make-A-Will Month, a timely reminder for individuals and families to prioritize one of the most important — and often overlooked — aspects of long-term planning: creating a Last Will and Testament. While...more
Executors and administrators of estates in Virginia must swear an oath before the probate clerk that they will “faithfully perform the duties of [their] office to the best of [their] judgment.” These duties are called...more
Speaking about death can be difficult but planning ahead brings peace of mind and protects loved ones from unnecessary stress. Having a professionally drafted will ensures your wishes are followed and your estate is handled...more
Estate planning is a vital step in protecting your legacy and ensuring your loved ones are protected. Yet, many individuals unintentionally make mistakes that can lead to confusion, delays, and unnecessary expenses....more