Not just anyone may challenge the validity of a Will. Though state laws differ slightly, all require that you be related to the Will in some manner. Typically, you must be able to show that you would have received more from the decedent, if he or she had died without a Will; or if he or she wrote an earlier Will that left you more than the current Will.

By Deborah Sexton Law Office, PA

The probate process governs what happens to all the property a person owned after that person dies. Each county usually has a probate court that is set up to deal with these property questions. Though each state and even each county, has a slightly different procedure for probate cases, all of them require the same basic process. To begin, someone has to go before the court and file a petition.

By Timothy P. Murphy – Estate Planning Counselors, LLP

While some of us may have a fairly accurate idea of our parent’s financial situation, the majority of us do not. Even if you know what your parents are worth, you likely have no idea what your grandparents or more distant relatives are worth. That can sometimes lead to a telephone call or letter informing you that you have just inherited a considerable amount of money. So now what?

By Byrd Garrett PLLC

Anyone who welcomes a new child should always update his or her estate plan as soon as possible. Not only will you want to make provisions in your plan to care for your child financially if you should die prematurely, but you should also name a guardian. Also, if you created an estate plan when your child was first born and the child has since grown older, you will probably want to review the plan to make sure your choice of guardian is still appropriate.

By John R. Vermillion & Associates, LLC

When you create a pet trust, the trust becomes the owner of some of your property. Animals cannot own property, but if you can create a trust, the pet can benefit from the property the trust owns. After you die the trust will be responsible for caring for your pet. It will use the property it owns to pay for the pets medical care and living expenses.

By Law Offices of Richard B. Schneider, LLC

You often hear about the length and expense of probate, and some aspects of estate planning are aimed at avoiding probate. But why does probate take months, even years, to complete? Probate is the legal process that validates a will, if there is one, and administers the estate of a deceased. You often hear about the length and expense of probate, and some aspects of estate planning are aimed at avoiding probate.

By Robert J. Kulas, P.A.

When you have a child with special needs, many areas of your life require additional planning and special arrangements, and your estate plan is no different. If your child receives government benefits, you already know that there’s a cap on the amount of assets he or she is allowed to have and still receive those benefits.

By Pyke & Associates, P.C.

If you are one of the millions of people planning to utilize a trust in your estate plan, then you are likely trying to decide which type of trust will best suit your goals and objectives. Only a lengthy consultation with your estate planning attorney can help you to reach a final decision on the issue; however, there are questions that you may wish to answer prior to meeting with your attorney.

An important goal of many estate plans is to make sure that your heirs can quickly and easily get their inheritance and wrap up your affairs. In today’s computer-based society, making sure that your heirs have access to your online accounts is an important, but often overlooked, part of this process. Your estate plan should include some way for someone to access your online accounts.