Perhaps because they do not understand the consequences, I have seen many people take “shortcuts” to avoid probate. Last column, I gave the example of parents who transfer their home to a child so that the home could be sold after the parents pass, without going...
For those who consider probate (or avoiding probate) to be a significant issue, it is important to remember that probate is only a process to transfer assets. Regardless of whether probate is necessary or appropriate, the process should never become more important...
Part of my practice is spent helping clients solve problems after a parent or spouse has passed away. Many times, these problems arise because the estate plan included a “shortcut” intended to avoid probate. Probate is a process to transfer the assets after someone...
What You Are Not Told About Probate I often ask attendees of my presentations if they have been told “probate” is something to avoid. Invariably, I see several heads nodding “yes.” Many are not sure why they are supposed to avoid probate. However, the most common...
What is a probate attorney, and do I need one? If you’ve recently lost a loved one, you may be wondering what a probate attorney is and whether or not you need to hire one. Probate attorneys handle the estate of a loved one who has passed away. In most cases, if...