This is the third installment of my seven-part series on major estate planning mistakes. The first two are here and here. Not avoiding probate. When an asset passes to others through a will, it has to ...

One of the most effective tools in the estate planning process is a trust, which can offer significant advantages-including the ability to bypass the often lengthy and costly probate process. Trusts, ...

In John’s case, a trust could have helped his family avoid probate, protect their privacy and minimize estate taxes when his father died. A trust is a legal document that allows you to retain control ...

Very few people know how to manage and take care of an estate when someone passes. There seems to be an endless stream of paperwork to complete and it becomes even more complicated when you have to ...

Unless your loved one puts their estate into a living trust or similar legal arrangement, the fact of the matter is that their assets will likely need to pass through probate when they die. Probate is ...

Probate can be a lengthy and complex process, leaving executors eager to find ways to expedite it. Familiarizing yourself with the legal procedures and documentation required to settle an estate ...

In Hamilton, for example, survey respondents indicated that applications are normally processed within three to six months.

Q: A fairly wealthy friend of mine recently passed away. Supposedly, in his will he left most everything to his spouse. The problem is that she has been told by her lawyer it will take up to six ...

Probate administration can be an overwhelming process for individuals who are managing the estate of a loved one who has passed away. In Missouri, like in many states, probate involves complex legal ...

Before shifting my practice from estate planning to estate litigation, I witnessed up close the challenges and frustrations associated with the California probate process. That has changed for many ...