One of the most effective tools in the estate planning process is a trust, which can offer significant advantages-including the ability to bypass the often lengthy and costly probate process. Trusts, ...

The neighbor, Joann, was a widow with no children. Joann's will specified that all of her assets would go to Sarah's dad and ...

Estate Planning and Probate are crucial aspects of managing and transferring wealth. Estate Planning involves preparing for the distribution of an individual's assets upon their death or ...

What Does a Probate Attorney Do? Probate attorneys wear many hats — their day-to-day responsibilities vary considerably, depending on state-specific probate laws and the presence or absence of a will.

Probate can be a lengthy and complex process, leaving executors eager to find ways to expedite it. Familiarizing yourself with the legal procedures and documentation required to settle an estate ...

In past weeks this weekly column has written about why you want to own your real estate until you pass away and the potential downfalls if you give your real estate to your kids before your death.

You may feel overwhelmed and even resentful. You can even refuse to take on the role, but if your relative named you because ...

Save your loved ones a lot of hassle and expense by taking steps now to protect your estate from probate. Unless you're a lawyer, there's nothing good about the probate process. Probate is basically a ...

Q: A fairly wealthy friend of mine recently passed away. Supposedly, in his will he left most everything to his spouse. The problem is that she has been told by her lawyer it will take up to six ...