A fiduciary is an individual that acts on the behalf of another individual to manage his or her assets. Being a fiduciary means being ethically bound to act in the best interests of the other individual. A fiduciary is an individual who is obligated legally to act in...
When people hear the word probate, visions of drawn out, expensive court proceedings often come to mind. However, this really is not the typical case. Probate is often a simple procedure, taking six months or less, in which a judge ultimately gives legal permission...
Intestacy is defined as the state of dying without having a will. The estate of any individual who dies intestate (i.e. dies without leaving a will behind) must go through the probate court. The intestacy laws of the state will then determine who will be the...
Even as we age, and are looking towards end of life decisions, financial matters remain important. Deciding on the best investment accounts not only helps your own peace of mind, but can also ease any burden placed on your loved ones in the event of your passing. One...
If you have a have a trust, do you also need a will? Even if you transfer the majority of your property through a living trust or other estate planning tool, you should also have a will. Without a will, any property that isn’t passed along to beneficiaries by those...
With the right information, it is possible to find the bank accounts belonging to the deceased. However, sometimes finding the right information can be difficult, especially if the deceased did not keep records or kept records that are extremely disorderly. Identify...
Being named an executor is a significant responsibility. It can also be quite time consuming, depending on the size and complexity of the estate. Most estates can be settled within a year, but there are definitely exceptions to this. Before closing an estate, the...
When you write up your will you need to choose individuals for a few positions: executor, guardian (if you have minor children), and trustee (if you have a revocable or irrevocable trust). Your executor is responsible for making sure that your assets are protected and...
If you die without having created and signed a will, it means that you have died ‘intestate.’ If this happens, the intestacy laws of the state where you currently reside dictate the way in which your property is divided after you pass away. This includes...
You may not believe it, but everyone has an estate. All of your possessions make up your estate, including your vehicles, real estate, banking accounts, all investments and life insurance policies plus any of the other of the myriad of things you own from the couch...
There are two primary types of trusts – revocable and irrevocable. Here are the basics regarding the differences between them and the benefits each has to offer. What is a Revocable Trust? A revocable trust is a trust in which the provisions can be altered or...
Your loved one has passed away, you have taken the time to grieve, and have allocated any items specifically mentioned in the will to the appropriate beneficiaries. You and your family have now also sorted through their possessions and decided which you want to keep...
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