Many people own property in more than one state—perhaps a vacation home in Florida, a rental property in a former home state, or even a car titled in another state. It is important to think about how that property will be handled as you create an estate plan. It may be necessary for there to be […]
If you’ve been appointed an executor of a loved one’s estate, or a successor trustee, and that person dies, your grief – not to mention your to-do list, including tasks ranging from planning the funeral, coordinating relatives coming in from out of town and (eventually) meeting with a trust administration or probate lawyer – can be […]
What is a Muniment of Title? A Muniment of Title allows a document, such as a Last Will and Testament, to be treated as proof of title to property. This procedure to settle estates is unique to Texas. A will admitted to probate as a muniment of title serves to act as a link in the […]
After the 2018 passing of the legendary singer Aretha Franklin, her family and lawyer initially thought she had died without a will. But earlier this year, three handwritten wills — two from 2010 that were locked in a cabinet and one from 2014 that was hidden under a couch cushion — were found in Franklin’s home […]
Believe it or not, in the U.S. it isn’t easy to disinherit your spouse. But the same is not true for other family members — generally, you can use your estate plan to disinherit your brothers and sisters, your nieces and nephews, or even your very own children and grandchildren. However, in the majority of states […]
After a loved one dies, his or her estate must be settled. While most people want the settlement process to be done ASAP, probate can take what seems like forever — between 6 and 12 months, believe it or not. The time delays create unnecessary stress. Six Reasons Probate Takes So Long There are many reasons […]
Planning ahead has obvious benefits. Whether you’re planning a vacation or researching for a job interview, it’s always smart to outline your priorities and anticipate potential challenges that may arise. Planning your estate has similar benefits. With plans clearly established, your wealth and assets are protected should you pass away or become incapacitated. It’s important to […]
When Aretha Franklin died in 2018, it would have been logical to assume that she had a well-thought-out estate plan. Unfortunately for her heirs, that was not the case. As Forbes Magazine reported, her heirs found three different wills, all handwritten. All three have been submitted to the probate court, and the court will decide if […]
