As we have discussed in previous blog posts, the stress and pain of losing a loved one can place a significant amount of strain on a family. As emotions run high, it increases the risk of disagreements between family members – particularly when it comes to the...
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Estate Administration
Will I need to go through probate when my loved one passes away?
If you have a parent or other loved one who has reached an advanced age or is in poor health, you may be starting to think about the probate process that you will have to go through once they are no longer with you. You may have several questions concerning the...
What issues could delay probate?
One of the most common worries that families have about the probate and estate administration process is time. Whether or not you are the executor of your loved one’s will, you may wonder and stress about how long it will take. It is true that probate can take time....
How do I sell real estate in probate?
It is common for elderly loved ones to leave real estate properties to their children when they pass away. Whether it is the cherished family home or a rental property up north, your parent might leave this property to be shared – or divided – equally between you and...
Your loved one left behind a pet: What happens now?
Losing a loved one can be overwhelmingly emotional. And if your loved one named you as their personal representative – or the executor of their will – you often also face an additional level of stress on top of your grief as you begin the probate process. Then, as you...
How do I know if I am named in a will?
No matter the circumstances, losing a friend or family member comes as quite a shock. When you reach out to their family, you share your grief, memories and worries about the future. And then they mention how they must begin the probate process to distribute your...
Heir v. beneficiary: What’s the difference?
In the estate planning process as well as probate, it is common to hear the terms “heir” and “beneficiary” thrown around and even used interchangeably. However, there is a difference between these terms, and it is critical to recognize that difference. What do these...
What happens to the remaining assets in probate?
Navigating the probate process can be complex for your whole family. Thankfully, your loved one’s estate plan can help make probate easier since it provides directions of your loved one’s wishes and gifts their assets to surviving family members. However, you come to...
Can Executors turn down the job?
It can be an honor if a loved one named you as the executor of their will, also referred to as a personal representative. It means they trust you to handle their most important affairs and carry out their wishes. However, acting as an executor is often a tough and...
What happens if a loved one leaves behind multiple wills?
In 2018, people across the country grieved the loss of the late, great Aretha Franklin. Franklin’s name returned to the headlines in 2019, however, when three handwritten wills were found in her home and filed in a Michigan probate court. The discovery of these three...