Creating an estate plan is much like losing weight or getting back into shape: we all know it is something that we should do, but many of us fail to act because it seems daunting or there just isn’t that sense of urgency there. We all know that we’re going to die, but our own mortality isn’t something we usually like to contemplate, making the...

Probate is a legal process where the court overseas the management of a deceased person’s assets or property in order to assure that all debts have been paid and that the assets are transferred to the appropriate parties. Probate administration is the process done in order to prove to a probate court that a will is genuine. There are some assets which are subject to...

Powers of attorney are important and powerful tools in the hands of a trustworthy person, but it can also be a dangerous tool in the hands of the wrong person, which is why you should consider carefully who and how you choose to give powers of attorney. Power of Attorney Power of attorney (POA) is a document where you authorize someone, often called an agent,...

Writing a living will is one of those things that is on most people’s to-do list, but way down there at the bottom, perhaps even after creating a last will and testament. While a will or testament is a legal document expressing the wishes of a person as to how their property should be distributed after their death, a living will is a legally binding...

When a loved one passes away, the probate administration is what allows for the effective management and distribution of the deceased individual’s assets. Most people will own at least some assets and may still carry some debt at the time of their death. All of these assets and debts together form the estate of the deceased. Probate administration is the process of closing an estate...