We live in a world of social networking. As the platforms continue to grow in size and numbers, so do the number of users. This gives rise to the issue of what do with the social media accounts belonging to an individual who has passed away. Each social networking...
As we live in a world of technology, it would seem safe to assume that banks would know when someone dies. However, this is not the case and credit cards are not automatically canceled when the credit card holder passes away. If you are not careful, this can lead to...
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...
Everyone over the age of 18 (or 21 depending on where you live) should have a will. Why? A will is the most important estate planning document there is, and, yes, everyone has an estate! What is a Will? A will tells others where you want your property to go after...
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...
An estate is never really closed, but rather closing out an estate refers to the final distribution of the estate’s assets. At this point, the executor has no more duties to fulfill. However, if at some point in the future a previously unknown asset becomes...
At some point, you have more than likely heard the terms will and trust, especially if you are looking at doing some estate planning. Often, they seemed to be used interchangeably. However, they do not refer to the same thing at all. Here are some key points to help...
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...
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...
Death is inevitable and, unfortunately, so are the costs associated with it. In fact, the costs of dying are increasing at even a greater rate than the costs of living. Costs Related to Funeral or Cremation Many people are shocked when they start looking into the...
Probate is the court process through which a will is proved valid or invalid. It is the legal process for administering the estate of the deceased. Steps Authenticating the Last Will and Testament Most states require that a will be filed with the probate court as...
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