A trust is a legal document that allows you to manage your assets and distribute them to your beneficiaries when you die. While most people involve experts in the trust creation process, it is not uncommon for some folks to undertake this exercise on their own, and...
People create wills for one primary reason: to make their wishes known regarding what they’d want to happen to their assets when they die. And if you get it right, a will can help you achieve this, safeguard your legacy and leave something behind for the people you...
A codicil is a legal amendment to a will that specifies certain modifications to the original document. Although it is enacted or executed after the will, it is legally enforceable and considered part of the testator's final wishes. Challenging a codicil can be a...
Do you ever wonder why stepmothers get such a bad rap? Blended families have become increasingly common in modern society, but this can lead to some complex family dynamics. And, since women tend to outlive the men in their lives, it can also lead to some serious...
Dealing with disputes after losing a loved one can be stressful. Different factors contribute to estate disputes, and some can be so serious that family members may suffer a significant impact on their relationship. Nonetheless, you can solve estate disputes. Here is...
When you take a will to probate, you expect everything to go smoothly. However, this is not always the case. An interested party can contest it on different grounds. And in some cases, you may be the primary party of the contest. If a will is contested, as an...
When a loved one dies, finding out that they omitted you from their will can be difficult to deal with. Your emotions may be further aggravated if you learn that the person they have bequeathed their assets to is someone you do not believe to be deserving of their...
Sentimental items are often at the heart of estate disputes. The exact items can vary widely from family to family, but often include things like books, artwork, furniture and even everyday trinkets like serving dishes or clothes. These disputes can sometimes be a bit...
A will is one of the most important legal documents you could ever create. At its most basic level, a will outlines your wishes with regard to what you want to happen to your assets when you die. Without a will in place at the time of your death, the ways in which...
When someone owns a home, it may be the largest asset that they hope to pass to their children or other beneficiaries when they die. Homes represent many years of someone's wages and a lifetime of diligent upkeep. Unfortunately, the real property owned by someone who...