Trusts & Estate Law

Having a will to instruct your loved ones on what to do about your affairs after your death is very important. The stress of what to do with your belongings, property, pets, and children is not...

A last will and testament is a written document that states what an individual---known as the testator---would like to happen with his property and other assets after his death. Wills are governed...

As you near the point where you may pass on from this life, you need to decide how to deal with the property that you have accumulated during your lifetime. The choices you make can have...

Learn how to draft your last will, learn the following: 1. what critical items to think of 2. how to draft the document so that it is legally binding 3. how to properly store this important document

Everyday, people go about their daily lives in routine. We don't quite realize, though, that the uncertain can happen at any moment, any time on any day. Death is a natural part of life and this...

A duly designated executor of a will possesses a set of rights and duties. Through the exercise of these rights, an executor has the ability to carry out the directives of the will. An executor...

The trustee is the person designated to oversee all aspects of a trust. Upon the death of the trustee, immediate steps are taken to ensure the proper management of the trust. This includes the...

Texas court records can be found in four entities of the state’s judicial system, as well as online. Said TX state documents can consist of land deeds, civil suits settled, criminal convictions...

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.

A living will, also known as an advance health care directive, is a tool you can use to leave instructions outlining your desires for when you are no longer able to make decisions for yourself....

Maryland land records consist of property deeds and documentation of wills and estates. Maryland land records can also include mortgages and liens against a deed. Depending on the type of Maryland...

If you live in Ohio, knowing the difference between probate and non-probate assets may enable you to lower the amount of estate taxes paid. That in turn could lead to a higher amount paid to the...

California does not have a state inheritance tax, but potential beneficiaries should be aware of a number of tax-related issues. Some assets received by intestacy or bequest may be subject to...

Most trusts allow you to add property to the trust by following a few simple steps. You can add any kind of property, including bank accounts, investment and retirement accounts, personal property...

Many people do not wish to seek a lawyer to write a last will. There are very simple methods that one can use in order to make their own will, however, one must be careful and get details correct....

Joint tenancy refers to a type of joint ownership of real property between two or more individuals. In a marriage, for example, joint tenancy gives each spouse an equal interest, or share, in the...

A beneficiary of a family trust enjoys certain rights. These rights are established by the probate code, the set of statutes governing estate-related matters including family trusts. They are also...

There are two kinds of advanced directives for health care. There is the living will and the appointment of a medical power of attorney. With the living will, you make the decisions for your...

The state of North Carolina allows different types of estate planning documents. Some documents are used during the person's lifetime, while others only come into effect at death.

Drafting an irrevocable trust means establishing an arrangement whereby the beneficial ownership of assets is separated from legal ownership. Irrevocable trusts, used mainly for estate planning...

It is an unfortunate circumstance when a parent dies before a child has even reached the age of 18. It can make matters worse when the parent was the breadwinner of the family. To help ease the...

When someone dies in the state of Wisconsin, there are specific rules put into place for challenging a will. Only certain people are able to challenge a will, however, everyone who has a legal...

Many families face the death of a loved one after a lingering illness. A common question that arises in such a situation is whether a surviving spouse is liable for medical bills. The fact is that...

In order to cash checks from your deceased spouse, you will need to show written proof that your partner has passed away and that you were legally married at the time of his death. Although most...

Wills are frequently contested while they are passing through probate, and the persons contesting the will sometimes be able make out a case that the will should not be implemented as written....

Each state establishes its own rules for wills, so before you begin to prepare your documents, research the laws for your jurisdiction. You can do this for free at your local library or...

A power of attorney can be in instances in which an individual needs assistance in dealing with financial or health related issues. If you have a family member or a close friend in need of this...

If you are a family member or friend of a person who is deceased and have been called upon to read a will, you'll need to keep some specific duties in mind. When it comes to understanding how to...

Although many people believe that only wealthy people need wills, Legacy Connect says that everyone needs a will to help settle their affairs when they die. With the advent of legal software,...

Estate-planning documents such as wills and trusts are confidential prior to the person's death, and living trusts are no exception. Unless a person is the designated trustee, they likely won't...

No matter what age you are you should have a will. Many families have been torn apart by a relative not having a will. It doesn't matter the size of your estate, large or small a will makes it...

Probate is the act of proving that a will, or any document classified as a will, was signed and executed in accordance with legal requirements. There is an accepted national set of probate laws...

A will and power of attorney are separate documents but are very important. Maryland has several rules regarding these documents.

Making arrangements for your death can be a stressful and overwhelming experience filled with difficult decisions. To facilitate your decision-making, understand the difference between an advanced...

Some homeowners choose to protect their property by filing a Declaration of Homestead. Familiarize yourself with the basics of this legal document if you are having trouble deciding whether or not...

Trust law permits individuals and families to allow others to benefit from property without having control over how it is managed, a situation that is helpful to those who don't trust the...

The procedures for small estates are designed to provide a streamlined probate process where there are insufficient assets in an estate to warrant the full probate procedure. The rules and...

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...

An executor of a will is responsible for making certain that all the deceased person's outstanding debts are settled and that any remaining bills, funeral expenses and inheritance taxes are paid...

A trust is a separate legal entity that can buy, sell, hold and distribute property according to the terms set forth by the grantor. Some trust accounts use separate tax ID numbers while others...

If the decedent left a will or trust document, the executor is required to present either witnesses or an affidavit from witnesses who can affirm the validity of the will. The executor must also...

A notary public is necessary at various stages in your adult life, but they do cost money. The last time I needed someone to notarize a document it was at my children's school. The emergency...

Drafting a will is one of the most important tasks you should accomplish in your lifetime. Your will is literally your last will and testament--your last wishes--to be carried out upon your death....

Anybody can claim unclaimed property. Unclaimed property is typically monetary in nature and can be anything from a credit card refund, a tax refund, bank interest or a stock dividend, or any...

Florida probate procedures set forth the specific steps to take to initiate and pursue a probate case. Understanding these probate procedures is crucial to undertaking estate, conservatorship and ...

Tennessee probate court procedures set forth the manner in which estates, trusts, guardianships and conservatorships are undertaken in the state. In order to effectively pursue these types of...

Under the law there is a specific procedure for opening an estate in probate court in Michigan. "Opening an estate" refers to the process of starting an estate case in probate court.

By writing your own will, you can decide where all of your assets and belonging go to, instead of leaving these decisions up to the state. You may not want to worry about this right now, but if...

Legacy statements can be the lasting corporate imprint of a retiring CEO, or a personal statement from a parent to a child. What both ideally have in common is the passionate message of their...

A joint tenancy is a legal way for multiple people to own a single parcel of real property. Joint tenancy is the preferred method of co-ownership because it provides significant benefits upon the...