It’s no secret, people are not a fan of probate. The most common reasons being the expense, time and confusion about the process. And while probate can be a hassle, one way to minimize those frustrations can be to have a well-crafted estate plan. The cost of not doing so can be seen in the ongoing […]
You just found out that your favorite aunt, Aunt Melba, has died. In the midst of your grief and sadness, you receive a notice from the attorney handling Aunt Melba’s affairs stating that you are a beneficiary. Your best friend advises you get an attorney. What should you do? Will Aunt Melba’s attorney help you? After […]
Timeshares have come a long way since they first arrived in the real estate market back in the ’70s. In the early days of timeshare ownership, high-pressure sales tactics, exceedingly vague contracts, and inflexible scheduling policies caused many people to quickly regret such purchases. Over time, however, timeshares have become more consumer-friendly with greater transparency in […]
The death of a loved one can be one of the most disorienting life events. But if a loved one dies while traveling in a foreign country, the emotional and bureaucratic burdens can multiply exponentially. Contact the United States Bureau of Consular Affairs If foreign local authorities report a death to a US embassy or consulate, […]
The death of an iconic figure can sometimes impact us deeply because it reminds us of our shared humanity. With a celebrity’s passing, we realize that death is an equalizer. It also reminds us of the importance of estate planning to protect a person’s money and property. Estate planning is not reserved for those with large […]
When planning for death, most people assume they will die before their beneficiaries (e.g., their spouse, children, and grandchildren). While these assumptions are often well-founded, they do not always come to pass. Sometimes a beneficiary of an estate or trust dies before the person leaving the inheritance. If this has happened to you, you may be […]
No one looks forward to the passing of a loved one, but many people cannot help but wonder about a future inheritance. Often when a person dies and leaves money or property, the beneficiaries and heirs want to know about the overall value of the estate. Most jurisdictions require an executor or trustee shares this information […]
The bad news: When a deceased person’s estate (all of their money and property) has to go through probate (the court-supervised process of distributing a deceased person’s money and property), it can be subject to a variety of costs stemming from attorneys, executors, appraisers, accountants, and courts, as well as potential delays. The good news: Many […]
