Discovering that a loved one left behind more than one will can understandably lead to confusion. Depending on the contents of each draft, when they were executed and whether any were formalized, you and your loved ones may be concerned about which should be...
Most people have a rough idea of what to expect when reading a loved one's will. People often discuss their legacy intentions with their family members. Others can make basic assumptions about their inheritance based on family circumstances. For example, they might...
People in a variety of circumstances use trusts to establish a personal legacy. Parents with multiple children might create trusts in the hopes of preventing their offspring from fighting over their assets after they die, for example. A trustee typically needs to...
Losing a loved one is a traumatic experience for anyone, and it’s also sometimes the start of an estate plan nightmare. This may be the case when your loved one’s will indicates signs that there was undue influence or some other significant issue present when this...
The death of a parent can be a real tragedy even if they lived a long, meaningful life. Whether someone dies suddenly due to a coronary event after a protracted illness, their children may experience a broad range of emotional responses. Denial and depression are...
Estate administration is a complex and often lengthy process that involves managing a deceased individual’s assets, debts and final wishes. In most cases, a last will and testament clearly outlines how the deceased’s estate should be distributed. However, what happens...
Like estate executors, trustees have fiduciary responsibilities. A trustee’s chief responsibility is to manage the assets in a trust according to the instructions of the person who established that trust (the settlor or creator). They have a duty to act in the best...
Your parents have probably had an uncomfortable conversation or two with you about their estate planning wishes. They may have explained to you how they intended to divide their property or even told you about assets that they previously had not revealed to you. While...
When your elderly loved one needs support in the home, it’s reasonable to look into hiring an in-home health care aide or nurse. Caregivers can be an excellent source of information and may be helpful to your family, but they are compensated fairly for this work. They...
Someone's estate plan is among the most important documents that they will ever draft in their life. When that person dies, their estate plan establishes their legacy and protects the people who depend on them. Especially when there are substantial assets involved in...