Estate Planning

One of the grounds on which you can bring a will contest is undue influence. It means someone has used their position to persuade a person to change or make a will in a certain way leading to inequity. We are all influenced by other people all the time, yet sometimes...

Someone who owes you money may be slow about paying you back. You may have to agree to small monthly payments, especially if they are an older adult living on a fixed income. Being flexible makes it easier for people to pay you back, but it also means you risk not...

There’s an old saying that “weddings and funerals bring out the best and the worst in people.” As the executor of someone’s estate, you may (unfortunately) find out exactly how true part of that saying really can be. Disputes with an estate’s heirs can be one of the...

If conflict is going to emerge within a family, then it's generally either going to happen around a death. Money disputes have a way of bringing out the worst in people, and siblings aren't immune from this problem when their parents die.  Siblings are apt to contest...

If you are unhappy with a loved one’s will and decide to contest it because you believe it was altered unfairly, you need to be cautious about how you proceed. One of the first things you should do is to look at the will and estate plan to be sure there is not a...

A legal trust is one of the most powerful tools to include in an estate plan. They help the trust's grantor manage their assets while alive and ensure a smooth and efficient transition of their affairs after their death. There are many types of trusts to choose from....

The executor of a person’s estate holds a position of significant authority. A person who serves in that capacity is expected to act in a way that is responsible, honest, trustworthy and reliable. The duties of an executor may include carrying out instructions...

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...

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...

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...