Probate can be complex in most cases, requiring extensive time and effort based on the situation. This process usually involves different steps necessary to administer the deceased's assets, including organizing the estate, paying off the deceased's debts or taxes,...
Probate
Steps to take if you suspect executor misconduct
Executors bear the weighty responsibility of protecting an estate and carrying out a will in line with the deceased’s intentions. However, the substantial assets involved in some estates can entice executors into exploiting their position for personal gain. If you are...
How to prevent a painful probate
Financial feuds can exacerbate the emotional distress of losing a loved one. Family members often fight over the decedent’s estate, asserting their rights and contesting the will. As a result, probate can be an agonizing experience. It is a court-supervised process...
Preparing inventory for probate
When you serve as an executor of someone’s estate, one of your responsibilities as part of the probate process is to prepare and file an inventory of the estate. You may have many questions about what this involves and feel slightly overwhelmed. This is natural since...
What happens if you discover new assets after probate
Being a personal representative comes with a burden of responsibilities and added pressure from family members. It makes sense to want to get it done as soon as possible. After a few months or a year, you might finally be able to close the estate. However, any...
Probate vs. non-probate assets: what is the difference?
When you plan your estate, it is crucial to comprehend the distinction between probate and non-probate assets. The probate process involves administering a deceased person's estate and distributing their assets. In contrast, non-probate assets bypass probate and...
Can loneliness lead to undue influence?
There is an alarming pandemic of loneliness among older Americans. In fact, according to reporting from Consumer Affairs, 60% of men and 71% of women over the age of 65 claim to be lonelier now than they were just a few years ago. Loneliness can have deadly...
Handling probate when you are the executor
The idea of taking an estate through the probate process might sound intimidating and excessive. Most used in situations where the decedent died without a will, you might face the responsibility of shouldering this task as an executor. Knowing what to expect might...
The probate process when there is a will
When someone dies, his or her estate goes through probate, which is the legal process of paying the estate's debts and transferring assets. When there is a valid will, an executor manages the estate and follows the directions outlined in the will. This individual has...
How can an executor organize estate assets?
If you have a parent who has chosen you to serve as the executor of his or her estate, you are probably wondering how you will handle such an important job when the time comes. Given that taking inventory of an estate is an important duty of an executor, you should...