How To Avoid Probate

Probate can take anywhere from a few months to several years. It's expensive. Court fees and attorney's fees can come to around 5% of the estate's value. Hence, it is always better to avoid probate. There are possibilities to do this well within legal limits.

Probate Law

This article gives an outline of the legal requirements involved in the probate process. Probate is the judicial process whereby property of a dead person is transferred according to either the decedent's will or laws of intestate succession.

Probate Records

All important documents which are used in the probate process are known as probate records. The first category of records relate to personal properties which are to be submitted to the court.

Probate Sales

In this article we’ll see who can sell the assets of the decadent and how it is done.

Ethical Wills

What is an ethical will? Why have one?

Hurricane Season; Time for a Living Will

During the 2005 Atlantic tropical hurricane season 4500 United States citizens lost their lives due to hurricane Katrina and hurricane Rita. You never know when your time is up and here comes the 2006 Atlantic tropical hurricane season, which is said to be a very strong one.

Living Wills

Living wills are documents that contain the wishes and desires of people regarding their medical treatment in the event of their being unable to correspond with their doctors and relatives due to incapacitation. Also known as advance health care directives, living wills are legal instruments that have been signed by witnesses and notarized. A living will is enforced when the medical experts are absolutely certain that there are no possibilities for the renewal or revitalization of a person's health and that death is sure to occur sooner or later.

What if a Trust Beneficiary Doesn't Want the Money?

Question: My father passed away in April 2006. I have distributed the funds according to the Trust except for approximately $28,000 that is to go to my niece (my father's granddaughter). She has not returned her W9 as she is hesitate to receive the money because of the fact that she is on SSI. I want to close the Trust account and be able to file the necessary taxes the beginning of 2007. Have you ever heard of a similar situation? What do you suggest I do so that I can put closer to this. J.P.

Advance Directives and Do Not Resuscitate Orders Explained

An advance directive outlines what wishes your doctor must follow if you become unable to make your own medical decisions. When you're admitted to the hospital usually the staff will ask you if you have an advance directive, or you can hand your doctor and hospital staff a copy yourself if they don't ask.

Employment Law - What's on the Agenda in 2007?

2006 saw employers getting to grips with age discrimination and the new TUPE regime. Here, we look at what is in store for 2007.

Free Last Will And Testament Forms

A last will or testament is a document that states the ways in which a person can arrange for the distribution of his or her property and possessions after death. Last will and testament regulates others rights over the testator's property and family after his or her death. People over the age of 18 are legally entitled to write their wills.

When is a Person Too Incapacitated to Sign a Will, Trust, or Power of Attorney?

When is a person too incapacitated to sign a legal document such as a will, trust, or power of attorney? This article discusses some of the factors and legal rules that go into determining whether the person may legally sign these documents.

Nine Things You Should Know About Probate

A brief summary of the basics of the probate process.

Grandparent DNA Testing To Establish Family Relationship

Apart from DNA paternity tests, DNA tests may also be used to establish other family relationships, such as that of a child's grandparents. In this article we are going to look at the subject of grandparent DNA tests, how they are done and what it involves.

Wording For Last Will And Testament

Writing your own Last Will And Testament is fairly easy. No specific wording for Last Will And Testament is required just as there is not a specific format required. While specific words are not required, there are several wording requirements.