Results-Oriented: Creative, Strategic And Skilled Legal Techniques
Administering someone’s estate for the first time can be daunting, so it’s important to be proactive. Otherwise, the responsibility or the scope of the tasks can overwhelm you. The following three things can make the process simpler. 1. Be methodical You’ll need to...
When someone agrees to serve as an executor, they take on significant responsibilities. Managing estate assets, paying debts and navigating the probate process can require substantial time and effort. As such, executors are entitled to reasonable compensation for...
Many trusts include terms that allow them to remain in effect for years, if not decades. Trustees must manage resources, make appropriate distributions and communicate with beneficiaries as necessary. They have a duty to act in the best interests of beneficiaries,...
When a person creates their estate plan, everything in the plan should be based on their wishes. Most people are able to do this without anyone trying to influence them, but there are times when someone close to them may try to sway their thinking. Wills and trusts...
For a family that is already grieving, few things can create more tension than discovering a loved one’s will has changed unexpectedly before their death. Sometimes, those changes truly do reflect a person’s wishes. But, in some cases, those changes may have resulted...
When someone passes away, creditors may make claims against the estate, seeking payment for money that is still owed. A simple example would be outstanding credit card debt that was never fully paid off. But creditor claims can also involve mortgage loans, car loans...
Trustees must manage resources according to the instructions provided by a trustor. They may need to distribute resources to beneficiaries and make decisions about the management of key assets to preserve their value. In some cases, they may end up accused of...
An inheritance can provide reminders of a person who has passed. These reminders can provide comfort. Yet, sometimes, reviewing a will or other estate planning documents can worsen the pain caused by a loved one’s passing. Spouses who spent decades in a marriage...
A trustee’s obligations may include long-term asset management. They may need to maintain real property, help run a business or make decisions about investment resources. Generally speaking, trustees must act in the best interests of beneficiaries to uphold their...
When an estate goes through probate, assets are passed down to beneficiaries. If someone does not have an estate plan, then state law will dictate who should receive those assets, generally focusing on next of kin. If the person does have an estate plan, they can...