After a loved one dies, their money and property that goes through probate must be distributed to the people legally entitled to it, either according to a last will and testament (also called a will) or the state’s default distribution scheme (found in its intestacy statute). While most people want the settlement process done as […]
We tend to think of death as a private affair, something that is only for the family to address. It can be easy to forget that some parts of our deaths are actually quite public, to anyone and everyone. Most people think of probate (the process of collecting, managing, and distributing a deceased person’s money and […]
A revocable living trust can serve as a valuable estate planning tool to help ensure that your finances remain well managed if you become incapacitated (unable to manage your affairs while you are alive) and to provide future financial security for your loved ones upon your passing. However, merely signing the trust agreement does not […]
Ask any estate planning attorney and many will admit a main goal of clients it to avoid probate. Even in states where the process is quicker and easier, probate tends to remain something of a boogeyman. Today, many people use tools such as revocable living trust instead of a will, joint ownership, or beneficiary designation as […]
