Thanks to movies and TV shows, people are to believe that our will is our final words, a note, or a video. What makes a will valid? What exactly is a will? For many states, there are requirements that must be met before it can be valid. What is a will? A will is legal...
No one likes to think about one’s own death. However, planning ahead can help your family avoid unnecessary complications, delay, and expense. Understanding the following estate planning terms is the first step toward planning your estate. Presently, Estate planning...
A power of attorney is the grant of legal rights and powers by a person, the “principal,” to another, the “agent” or “attorney-in-fact.” The attorney-in-fact, in effect, stands in the shoes of the principal and acts for him or her on financial and business matters....
Probate is the process by which a deceased person’s property, known as the “estate,” is passed to his or her heirs and legatees (people named in the will). The entire process, supervised by the probate court, usually takes about a year to eighteen months. However,...
A legal trust is a separate legal entity for holding and investing property. These legal trusts (The “trustee”) hold property, usually real estate or investments, for the benefit of another or other people (the “beneficiary”). The person who gives the property for the...
