Author name: Emily Mansoor

Most people think of probate (the process of collecting, managing, and distributing a deceased person’s money and property) as a private process. However, because probate involves the court system, most filings become a matter of public record. That means your nosy neighbor Nellie can simply go to the courthouse or hop online to learn all about […]

Today, many people use a revocable living trust instead of a will, joint ownership, or beneficiary designation as the foundation of their estate plan. When properly prepared, a trust avoids the costly public, and often time-consuming, court processes of conservatorship or guardianship (due to incapacity) or probate (after death). Still, many people make one big mistake

After a loved one dies, their money and property that goes through probate must be distributed to the people legally entitled to it, either according to a last will and testament (also called a will) or the state’s default distribution scheme (found in its intestacy statute). While most people want the settlement process done as soon

The bad news: When a person dies owning property in their sole name without a beneficiary, their loved ones will have to go through a court-supervised process called probate to transfer the property out of the deceased person’s name and into the name of intended beneficiaries or heirs at law. Going through probate court may lead

If you are reading this, you need an estate plan. Why? The short answer is that everyone age 18 and older needs an estate plan. It does not matter whether you are old or young, have built up considerable wealth or are just entering adulthood—you need a written plan to control what happens to the

Bankruptcy can be incredibly stressful for anyone to go through. Once your matter has been closed, you may wonder what the next steps are. To ensure that you protect your remaining accounts and property as well as yourself and your loved ones, we encourage you to consider an estate plan as your roadmap into the

Most people usually think about who will receive their retirement and bank accounts, life insurance proceeds, real estate, and other valuable possessions upon their death. However, a person’s personal property (their stuff) can also be a source of value that needs to be addressed. When looking to start or continue your estate planning journey, ask

Many believe that once they set up and fund a revocable living trust, property held in the trust will completely avoid federal estate taxes after they die. In reality, a living trust does not provide any unique estate tax avoidance strategies. The primary mechanisms for reducing estate taxes—the unlimited marital deduction and the charitable deduction—apply whether

There is nothing quite like ice cream on a warm summer day served just the way you like it. You are outside, maybe on a shaded bench or strolling down the boardwalk, sun on your face with a light breeze cutting the heat. The cone is crisp, the flavor is superb, and the toppings are

Different Flavors of Transferring Your Money and Property Outside of Probate It is summertime, and the living is easy. Maybe you spent the day out on the boat, at the beach, or at home relaxing in your most comfortable lounge chair. As the sun sets, you have a hankering for a sweet treat and decide to get some ice cream—a no-brainer in July, National Ice Cream Month. Do you want to eat what is in the freezer or go out? Should you order online or decide at the window? Cone or cup? Dairy or nondairy? What flavor are you craving? You are facing what is known as the “ice