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When can I challenge a will?
If you believe a will does not reflect the true intentions of the deceased, you may consider contesting the will. Some of the more common examples of reasons people move forward with a challenge include concerns that the individual who made the will lacked the...
Can a will become so outdated that it is no longer accurate?
Many adults never get around to establishing an estate plan. They eventually die without a will because they always assumed they could draft one later. Chronic procrastination is arguably the most common mistake people make about estate planning. However, others may...
Who may need to draft powers of attorney?
People in different stages of life have unique estate planning needs. New parents have different priorities and concerns than people on the edge of retirement, for example. Many people stop after creating testamentary instruments. So long as they can control the...
How the Big Beautiful Bill will change your estate plan in 2025
If you are thinking about how to secure your family’s future, estate planning just became more important. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, recently passed by Congress, will permanently increase the federal estate and gift tax exemption, effective starting in 2025. This...
How often should people review and update estate plans?
Many adults dislike the idea of estate planning. They know that it is necessary for their peace of mind and the protection of their families. However, they delay the process because they view it as unpleasant or expensive. Those who have wills and other estate...
Formal vs. informal probate: What is the difference?
When someone passes away, their estate may need to go through probate. Probate is the legal process of managing and distributing assets based on an individual's will. If they do not have a will, state laws will decide how the assets are distributed. There are two main...
Do disinherited adult children have grounds to contest a will?
Losing a parent is a tragedy, but it is also a rite of passage for many middle-aged adults. Most children outlive their parents unless something unusual occurs. Adult children who have lost a parent have to grieve and also have to address many practical challenges....
Some simple estate planning steps can minimize family conflict
No matter how close your family is, you can never predict the ability of money and coveted assets (whether monetarily valuable or not) to tear them apart after you’re gone. This can be avoided, or at least minimized, by simply putting some extra time and attention...
3 types of taxes that may be due during estate administration
Probate proceedings and estate administration can be relatively demanding. The personal representative who oversees the probate process has many different responsibilities. They must secure and properly manage estate assets. They must attend probate court hearings and...
3 medical conditions that could affect testamentary capacity
There are a limited number of legal reasons why people might pursue litigation against an estate. Sometimes, people have reason to suspect that an outside party may have unfairly influenced the estate plan by pressuring the testator when they were vulnerable. Other...