In many cases, when copies of a will are distributed to beneficiaries, they simply accept whatever the estate plan says. The person who passed away got to make certain decisions or choices about how to distribute their assets, and the family just looks to the estate...
Probate litigation may arise as a result of fiduciary issues. If personal representatives or trustees fail to fulfill their obligations or breach their fiduciary duty, then beneficiaries or heirs might take legal action to remove them from their position. Sometimes,...
Losing a close loved one is painful. You feel a lump in your throat when you reflect on the memories you shared. And amid your grief, you believe that the estate’s executor isn’t working according to the deceased’s final wishes. Do you have any recourse? How do you...
Individuals with valuable property may not leave those assets directly to specific beneficiaries. Doing so could create an imbalanced and unfair estate plan. Instead, they may order the liquidation of real property or business holdings while extending the right of...
Grief doesn't pause for paperwork, and it certainly doesn't prepare you for the confusion that sets in when a trustee won't return your calls, refuses to answer your questions or avoids handing over any kind of financial records. If you're a beneficiary of a trust,...
Estate administration is far from the boring process many people imagine. Personal representatives often have to address a variety of surprising circumstances, such as the discovery of unexpected assets or debts. Other times, they may have to navigate conflict related...
Most people who have wills and other estate planning documents disclose their wishes to their family members. Occasionally, people expecting to inherit from an estate may feel shocked about the terms included in a will. The decedent may have made sudden changes in the...
It is certainly true that valuable assets can lead to estate disputes, and that’s often where people focus. For instance, someone may be leaving $1 million to their adult children, and they’re worried that the children are going to fight over what percentage of the...
Fiduciary duties are legal obligations that arise when one person is trusted to act on behalf of another. In the context of estates, certain individuals hold this responsibility and are expected to act with honesty, care and loyalty. When a fiduciary breaches these...
Generational trusts are often referred to as dynasty trusts. These financial resources are often created to preserve wealth for decades, providing benefits to children, grandchildren and beyond. These long-term arrangements are designed to offer financial stability,...