If someone you love has passed away and unexpectedly changed your inheritance or cut you out of their will, you have every right to be concerned. Those changes should have been discussed with you. If you were expecting a different outcome and have heard that a sibling...
Month: October 2020
How can you bring a claim against an estate as a creditor?
It's easy to put off aggressively collecting on a debt. As a business, you may not want a lawsuit or similar aggressive collection activity to damage your brand and reputation. As an individual owed a debt by another person, you may just expect them to make good on...
Most people are still carrying significant debts when they die
People often think of their golden years as years when they will live beyond their debt. They’ll have paid off their homes, saved for retirement, finished paying back student loans, etc. They’ll be done living with debt or living from one paycheck to the next. That’s...
How caregivers abuse their position in the hope of an inheritance
Older adults and people with medical conditions often require caregivers. Whether the caregiver is a member of your family who leaves their job to live with an aging loved one or a professional that your family hires, they are in a position of authority. They control...
What do you do if assets are missing from a loved one’s estate?
When your loved one’s estate is missing assets, it could be a sign that they were taken advantage of or that someone has been stealing. It’s just a fact that some people will do anything they can to take from someone else who is unable to protect their assets or who...
You can potentially go to court to address title defects
Whether you purchase or inherit a property, it could come with issues on its title that impact your ownership rights. Someone else's name or a lien are common defects. Typically, such issues get addressed when a title insurance company produces a policy on the...
Tips for successfully contesting a will
If you have recently lost a loved one, you'll undoubtedly be going through a difficult time coming to terms with your loss. In addition to this emotional process, you may have a lot on your to-do list with regard to ensuring that your loved one's last wishes are...
Title issues are more common than most believe
Generally speaking, a title to an asset, such as real estate or a motor vehicle, outlines the people who own the property. For example, when you purchase a home, you’re issued a title to state that you’re the new owner. Just the same, other transfers, such as those...
Challenging a will: There are many reasons this happens
When creating an estate plan, you should think about the steps you can take to help prevent a will contest in the future. You assume that this will never happen, but it’s hard to say if someone will become so upset that they take this legal action. While challenging a...
What happens when people steal from a testator before death?
Once someone dies, the executor of the estate assumes control and authority over their assets until they complete the probate process. The executor has a responsibility to pay outstanding debts, close accounts held by the deceased individual and distribute assets...