Probate – Should You Avoid It When Possible
Probate is a legal process by which the court establishes the validity of a will; or if no Will, the heirs-at-law. The Court determines the value of the estate; resolves issues with payment of creditors, taxes, and other debts; disputes between the beneficiaries, and then orders distribution of the net assets. But it does have some drawbacks. Probate is a public process, so financial privacy goes out the window. Probate also usually lasts 6-12 months, due to certain Statute of...Read More
Potential Pitfalls of Estate Administration
The executor of an estate may think that their duties in that role are straightforward. Most times they are, but there are potential pitfalls that would-be executors should be aware of. For instance, a will might be invalid. Have an estate attorney review the will to make sure it meets the requirements of state law. If the will was done in a different state, make sure it was executed according to the laws of the state that it was executed...Read More