While there are some ways to expedite the process and reduce the amount of inherited property involved, some legal proceedings are almost inevitable when a loved one dies. Properly understood and carried out, probate often brings emotional closure in these situations, but if it gets out of control, probate litigation can become an expensive...
READ MORE
“A man’s Self is the sum total of all that he CAN call his, not only his body and his psychic powers, but his clothes, and his house, his wife and children, his ancestors and friends, his reputation and works, his lands, and yacht and bank-account.” – William James If that statement was true...
READ MORE
Update: Prince’s Estate in Probate The dreams of fame and fortune turned out to be short lived for 29 people who claimed to have a lawful share of Prince Nelson’s legacy. Carver County District Judge Kevin Eide disallowed the claims of eleven reputed siblings, five alleged children, and thirteen purported cousins/nieces/nephews. At the same...
READ MORE
The latest numbers are in, and they are not good for potential heirs in Massachusetts. According to a June 2016 Google Consumer Survey, less than 29 percent of Americans have up-to-date wills. The rest either have no will at all (63 percent) or have one that is so outdated that it is basically useless...
READ MORE
Carrying out the duties as an estate executor is probably one of the most thankless and time-consuming jobs. Many administrators agree to take on this burden out of loyalty to the deceased, and they may receive little or no compensation, other than what is provided for in the will, assuming that one exists. On...
READ MORE
No one is really sure who came up with the proverb “a stitch in time saves nine,” but the saying first appeared in eighteenth century England. The proverb is definitely meant to spur the lazy into action, because it is an anagram for “this is meant as incentive.” Most people agree with this maxim,...
READ MORE
Probate is a formal public legal process via which the assets of the individual are distributed following a person’s death, in accordance to their will. The probate process starts with filing the will, petition and death certificate. Usually, the general public has access to these documents. Thus starts a process that involves the filing...
READ MORE