One key decision to make when creating your estate plan is whether or not you want your estate to pass through probate. You might want it to reassure the beneficiaries that a court is overseeing things. Or, you may not have that many assets to worry about and value...
Estate Administration & Probate
Can you disinherit your spouse as revenge for an unsuccessful marriage?
If your spouse has been abusive toward you or cheated on you, you may have felt trapped in a miserable marriage. Some people, for medical, religious or personal reasons, cannot file for divorce even when they have a truly toxic relationship with their spouse. If you...
Do you have to worry about your debts when estate planning?
There are a lot of personal factors that you have to consider when planning your estate. For example, which family members will receive your biggest assets? Who will manage your affairs if you become incapacitated and after you die? With all the focus on end-of-life...
Don’t have many assets? You might still benefit from a trust
While plenty of people feel like trusts are only for the wealthiest people and couples in the U.S., the truth is that trusts are beneficial to individuals from all walks of life. Trusts can be used to help pass down assets, could hold life insurance benefits after you...
Creating a special needs trust can support a loved one for life
When you have a loved one with special needs, you often have to think more carefully about their circumstances than you would for someone without those needs. The kind of special needs someone has, their age and the benefits they currently receive can all impact the...
What steps are needed when probating an estate?
Nobody likes probate proceedings because it takes time to complete, and it can represent an additional expense after your loved one dies. However, the probate process is usually going to be necessary and -- to a certain extent -- unavoidable. With a sound estate plan,...
When can the probate process become delayed?
The probate process can be lengthy at the best of times. But there are certain situations that can mean the process takes especially long. If you are starting to plan your estate in the state of Massachusetts, it is likely that you will want to do everything you can...
Do I have standing to challenge a will?
When a person passes away and leaves a will behind, the will in question goes through the probate process unless it is challenged. The vast majority of wills do not get challenged and the inheritance passes down successfully to beneficiaries without issue. If you are...
Understanding the role of the estate executor
In any estate plan, an executor needs to be chosen. This is arguably one of the most important decisions that an estate planner will make. The executor of the estate should be a person who is distant enough from the person's affairs to not be biased; however, they...
Should I argue that a will is invalid?
When a person makes a will during his or her lifetime, it will be used after his or her death in the probate process. However, as a loved one dealing with the administration of the estate, you may come to believe that the will does not reflect your loved one's final...
