Writing a will is the first step in doing estate planning, and it’s something everyone needs to do when they want to specify how their assets will be divided. The will is a final chance to give instructions to heirs and make sure things go smoothly. However, most...

Someone has passed away, and they’ve left a home and vacation property to their heirs in their will. They also listed you as executor. Now, everything has to go through probate. What are your responsibilities for this property until it is conveyed to its new owners?...

Creating a trust is a way to reduce the taxable amount of your estate, retain control over your legacy or even diminish the value of your personal assets so that you can qualify for government assistance as you age. One of the most critical aspects of creating a...

Settling the estate of someone else or serving as their executor is a difficult task that requires careful planning, documentation and execution. One of the tasks that you will have to complete in your role as executor is the repayment of outstanding debts held by the...

When you agree to serve as administrator or executor for someone's estate, that means taking on substantial responsibility. You will have to read and interpret the will and other estate documents, pay creditors, file taxes and distribute assets according to the wishes...

When people in Florida pass away without wills, their surviving loved ones become preoccupied with figuring out how to distribute or transfer their property. This typically requires going through the probate process. Here is a glimpse at what the probate...

Those who have been chosen to serve as the executors for other people's wills have an enormous amount of responsibility. Therefore, although being appointed as an executor is generally an honor, as people typically choose trustworthy individuals to serve in this...

When family members lose a loved one, they naturally may have a hard time coping with the death from an emotional standpoint. However, dealing with the legal aspects of their loved one's passing can also be complicated. Here is a look at what the probate...

When people pass away, their assets will end up in someone's hands. The question is, whose? Probate is the process through which deceased individuals' estates are distributed to other parties based on the instructions provided in the deceased's estate plans, or...

When a loved one passes away, his or her estate must be settled. This process is called probate -- the purpose of which has remained the same despite the fact that probate laws and customs have changed over the years. Here is a glimpse at how probate...