A last will and testament is a legal document that controls how most of your assets and liabilities are distributed after your death. A valid will allows you to leave assets to people who would be excluded by the laws that control the distribution of property after your death. It empowers you to...
As probate attorneys, some of the most frequent questions we receive are "What is a conservatorship?", "What is the difference between guardianship and conservatorship?" There are two main situations when someone needs conservatorship. The first circumstance is when a minor child is going to rec...
If the deceased leaves an unclear will, there can be a lot of confusion and chaos. This will eventually lead to misunderstandings and frustrations among the loved ones. Who can be named as an estate beneficiary? If you are an heir, are you automatically a beneficiary? If a deceased left a will with ...
The "next of kin" term usually refers to the closest living blood relative, such as someone's spouse, who will assume responsibility for decisions on behalf of the individual in case they become unable to make them themselves. This issue could arise both after a person dies and prior to their de...
A will is one of the core documents of a deceased person's estate—it allows everyone to know the decedent's last and final wishes. Basically, the executor has the legal obligation to ensure that those wishes are fulfilled according to the law, being responsible for taking care of the late person's...
Dealing with the death of a loved one is devastating enough without debt collectors beating down on your door to demand payment. If you've just assumed your role as an appointed executor or administrator, questions like these may have crossed your mind: "How long do creditors have to collect a debt ...
For so many people, the loss of a loved one or a family member is a moment characterized by complex emotions, and the idea of probate becomes a daunting thought. Did the deceased leave a will where he clearly mentions who the beneficiaries of his inheritance are and names an executor to fulfil his l...
When they pass away, people often want to leave their assets and properties to persons they care about. But sometimes, the deceased doesn't make a will or dies with debts, and in such cases, their property must go through a probate process before being distributed to the legal beneficiaries. When th...
As probate attorneys, one of the questions we often receive is related to how to claim the deceased’s bank accounts. When a family member or a dear person dies, you might discover you are responsible for solving many problems. One of these duties can be accessing and closing the late person's a...
In the complex probate process, an executor plays a vital and nuanced role. The personal representative appointed by the deceased person is responsible for paying the decedent's debts and distributing inheritances to the beneficiaries as stated in the late person's will, ensuring that the assets are...
Losing a loved one not only brings a wave of emotions but can also leave families on shaky financial ground. If you are a surviving spouse, you might have heard of something called "Year's Support." And you might be wondering exactly what it is and how it can help you. In this article, we will co...
The death of a parent can be emotionally devastating. If the parent passes away without a testament to establish how to distribute his possessions clearly, the confusion and trauma can be even more profound. One of the most frequently asked questions we receive is, "What is a child entitled to when ...
