Once Removed Episode 24: Expressing Goals and Intent for the Trust
The Case of the Disappearing Trust
An Executor’s Guide to Administering an Estate
When most people think of estate planning, Trusts and Last Wills and Testaments usually come to mind. I have spent my career espousing the essential tools for ensuring an efficient transfer of assets from one generation to...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
In Arkansas, estate planning is vital. By understanding the tools at residents’ disposal, such as wills and trusts, Arkansans can ensure the security of their assets, provide for their loved ones, and leave a lasting legacy...more
Estate plans are supposed to be living documents that evolve over time. Generally, you should review your plan every 5 years to stay current, or whenever you or your beneficiaries have a major life event such as marriage, the...more
The executor position is an important but often misunderstood role. In this webinar on estate administration, Whitney Patience O’Reilly details an executor’s duties, from locating the deceased’s will to making the final...more
The executor position is an important but often misunderstood role. In this webinar on estate administration, Whitney O’Reilly will detail an executor’s duties, from locating the deceased’s will to making the final...more
As we enter the New Year, it’s a good time to revisit your estate plan. The big question is whether your will, trust, power of attorney, and advance health care directive accomplish your personal objectives. Guidance from an...more
When it comes to your estate plan, there are a lot of decisions you’ll have to make. Arguably, one of the most important decisions involves identifying to whom, and how, you want assets to pass when you die. Whether you...more
American courts (including our California state courts), in contrast to courts in England, do not typically award attorneys’ fees to a lawsuit’s “victor.” There are, of course, exceptions to this so-called “American Rule.”...more
Many California trust and estate disputes are resolved by mediation instead of a final adjudication in the Superior Court. Mediation can offer a custom-crafted resolution to a case that avoids the stress, expense and...more