Wills

Most people don't need a lawyer to make a will. If all you have is a home, simple investments, a small business or personal items, you can bequeath these using a standard will form and self-help...

Probate assets are assets that are not designated in a decedent's will and are left to the courts to decide their distribution. Buying probate assets can be a source of supplemental income if you...

A person wishing to keep property in her family after her death usually does not need to do anything. Most states have inheritance laws that automatically pass any individual's property to his...

There is no one probate law that is in effect in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Each jurisdiction has its own interpretation of probate and how it should be handled.

When we first enter this world, we have absolutely nothing. Over the course of our life, we acquire "stuff." "Stuff" refers to everything we own, including personal property (such as cars and...

Wills are legal documents that oversee the distribution of wealth and property of a deceased individual. Wills are intended to protect the rights of those who have passed away. They define what...

A will is a legal document drafted to give instructions for how to distribute your property after your death. Though the property is still distributed even if you die without a will (attorneys...

Planning for the future is a wise decision, including preparing a last will and testament. Having made the decision to write or make a will, there are some specific steps that you need to take. By...

If you die without leaving a valid will, your assets will be distributed among your next of kin in accordance with state law. Lack of a valid will could also spark conflict among your survivors,...

The advice given in this article is not legal advice. It is meant to help those trying to avoid paying for a will. If you have any further questions or concerns, please call your personal attorney.

A will is an individual's express intention of how she wants her property to be divided and distributed at death.

A will must be filed with the probate court for the appropriate county, but only after the person is deceased.

A will may be one of the most important documents in your possession. The contents of your will set forth your final instructions to your loved ones when you die. A person reading your will should...

There are many situations in which hiring a probate lawyer is necessary and helpful. An experienced probate lawyer can help you you avoid problems that may arise after someone has died or with an...

There are many different ways for you to transfer property to others after your death. Because there are so many options, it is easy to be confused about how different options work and how they...

Even though everyone avoids the topic of death, sooner or later we will be faced with the fact that we do have to prepare for it. One of the ways to prepare for it is to think about how you want...

The laws of intestate succession, commonly referred to as "intestate distribution," determine what happens to a person's property when that person dies and never legally specified whom the...

When making a last will and testament, also referred to as a "will," you can sometimes feel overwhelmed by the fact that the document pertains to your wishes following death. Frequently, people...

Many people think about writing a will but put off doing so time and time again, due to the thought of planning what is an uncomfortable subject for most. The fact is that writing a will does not...

One of the first stipulations in a will is that all bills and debts be paid first before the distribution of any deeds, money or property. The executor of the estate is responsible for making sure...

Everybody needs a will. If you don't have a will, then when you die your property and your children will go to whomever state law says they should go to. You will have no control over what happens...

No one wants to think about what will happen to their property and assets when they die, but we all eventually do die. In order to save your family and loved ones from the stress and potential...

A will is defined as a written declaration of a person's intended distribution of property after their death. Unfortunately, many American die without having a will (meaning they die...

When contemplating the end of one's life, one may consider how to dispose of property and assets. One way to achieve a decedent's wishes is by utilizing a last will and testament.

Writing a will is the best way to ensure that your wishes will be carried out after your death, yet approximately 70 percent of the population does not have one. Probate laws vary by state, but...

Many people who die leave a last will and testament, a document that contains their wishes with respect to the disposition of their property. You may seek to read the will for various reasons....

Many states have a law that allows a Beneficiary Will or Life Estate Will to be recorded in the County that a Residence is in, thus avoiding have that property go into probate when the owner dies....

A Last Will and Testament is the proper way to ensure that your funds, property and personal effects will be distributed after your death according to your wishes. A Last Will and Testament is a...

A will is exactly what it sounds like--a stripped down version of a Last Will and Testament. A simple will is a form that allows the testator--person making out the will--to simply fill in the...

People often wonder if they should have a will. The purpose of a will is to express in a legal document how the owner of real estate, bank accounts or other assets wants that property distributed...

If you are sick with cancer or other condition that will ultimately end your life you may have turned your thoughts as to how your children, spouse or other family or friends will inherit your...

Most people want to state who will receive their property after death, whether it's to their spouses, children, other members of the family or even friends. To ensure their wishes are carried out,...

Anyone who has assets should have a will. A legal will makes sure your wishes are carried out after your death. However, wills can be expensive, costing anywhere from a few hundred dollars to...

Most individuals, regardless of financial status, have assets and some type of "estate." Living trusts, wills and living wills afford us the opportunity to protect those assets however we see fit....

Probate properties are properties that are going through the probate process after the owner passes away. During this process the validity of the person’s will is examined and verified by a...

There are many differences between a will, living will and living trust. Each document is used for a specific legal purpose and is vital for estate planning. Many people don’t like the idea of...

Everyone needs to write a will even if you don't have significant assets. It can be done without expensive visits to a lawyer. With today's modern convenience of the Internet, there are plenty of...

Probate is the legal process of proving a will is authentic and valid. Through probate, legal title is passed from the deceased person to the beneficiary. There are several items that do not go...

We are all concerned about our loved ones being taken care of should something happen to us. With so many types of wills available, its easy to get lost in the paperwork. Some basic no-frills...