When your loved one created a trust and named you as one of the beneficiaries, they also appointed a trustee. This is the person or entity tasked with managing trust assets on your behalf. The trustee owes the trust beneficiaries a fiduciary duty, and they must always...
An important event is coming up in American history; for some people, it has already begun. This event is known as the “Great Wealth Transfer,” and it has been said to be the biggest transfer of wealth from one generation to the next to ever occur in human history....
Being chosen as an administrator of someone’s estate can be an honor. However, it can also be problematic if you ignore certain things. As an administrator, you are responsible for distributing an estate to the heirs. In addition, you must ensure all the debts the...
A will should represent the final wishes of the testator in full. Unfortunately, there are occasions when this does not happen. If this is the case, then it is possible for concerned parties to contest the will during probate. This can be a complex process, so it’s...
Most people would never dream of frivolously challenging a loved one's estate. They know that probate litigation will reduce what everyone inherits and delay the process of distributing assets. Even if someone is unhappy with how their parent or other family member...
Creating an estate plan is a smart step for adults to take. However, even the best-laid plans can result in issues. Estate litigation is extremely common, and there are several reasons this occurs. 1. Remarrying If someone remarries after they divorce their spouse,...
There is no question that your will is an important element of your estate plan. However, even when you have these documents created professionally, disputes may arise that result in estate litigation. Contesting a will means that certain things need to be...
When someone creates a will and names an executor for their estate, they trust that person will carry out their wishes and act in the best interests of the beneficiaries. Unfortunately, there are some instances where that doesn’t occur. What can you do if you believe...
There are only limited reasons on which someone can challenge a person’s estate plan after they die. One of those is undue influence. The ability to challenge is also restricted to certain people, usually those who stand to inherit or would have done so if there was...
Experiencing the loss of a loved one can be an overwhelming feeling. In addition to trying to process your grief, as the administrator of the estate, you also need to guide your loved one’s estate through the probate process. Although some estates are relatively...