What Is the Purpose of the Probate Process? Probate is the legal process by which the estate of a deceased person is distributed under the supervision of the court. It involves obtaining authorization from the court to transfer an individual’s property after death. The probate process is designed to ensure the deceased’s debts are paid, […]

Probate law does not allow anyone to take items from a loved ones’ home after they die, until the will has been probated. Learning about probate, what it entails and how to prepare for it may make it a little easier when a family member dies, says a recent article titled “Can you empty a house before

If you die without a valid will, your state may keep more of your assets than if you have a will. Your family won’t have any control and the court will follow the laws of your state regarding how your assets are distributed. That’s probably not what you want to happen, according to the article “People

A pour-over will is a type of will that’s created in conjunction with a trust. It can help facilitate the transfer of assets, if a trust’s grantor (the person establishing the trust) has failed to transfer all intended assets into the trust. A pour-over will can be an important part of a person’s estate planning checklist. Bankrate’s recent article

As home prices increase, more beneficiaries are choosing to keep the home they inherit instead of selling it for cash. In some cases, this raises an issue: does a beneficiary of a home also receive the mortgage? Inheriting a home with a mortgage adds another layer of complexity to settling the estate, as explained in

Why You Need a Will: Avoiding Intestacy and Protecting Your Loved Ones A will gives you control over who manages your estate and who receives your property after you pass. Without a will, the state decides—and the results may not align with your wishes. What Happens If You Don’t Have a Will? If you die