Usually when we mention probate, we are talking about how to avoid it. Today we thought we would give you a peek into the (dreaded) probate process. What Is Probate? Probate is the court-supervised process of distributing your assets to your heirs when you die. If you die leaving property (especially real estate) in [...]
Are there things that you should not put in your Will? Yes. Here are 3 of them. Certain Types of Property. Your Will (“last will and testament”) is a legal document that states your final wishes and gives instructions about how to divide up your property when you die. But there are certain types of [...]
Here at Esser, Bradley & Khalsa, PLLC, we encourage everyone to get a professionally-drafted will and to never die without a will (“intestate”). But we have to admit, there are times when you might as well have no Will at all. There are times, not often mind you, when having a will is useless. Which [...]
One of the things you want to try to avoid when you die is having someone contest your Will. (The other thing is probate. But that is the subject of other posts.) Why is that, you ask? Because will contests embroil your estate and family members in bitter and often prolonged legal battles. They can [...]
Ever wish you could secure an income for life, avoid taxes and contribute to your favorite charity at the same time? Well, you can. Here is how. Consider Setting Up a Charitable Remainder Trust. Talk to your estate planning attorney about setting up a charitable trust. A charitable remainder trust is an estate planning tool [...]
According to research, over 95.5 million people have some kind of step-relationship. Given the high divorce rates, this is not surprising. If you are divorced, widowed, or remarried, it is very important that your estate planning documents are carefully drafted by knowledgeable trusts and estates counsel. Why not just do it yourself? Because in a [...]
One very important tool in trusts and estates practice is that of guardianships. What is a Guardianship? Guardianships come into play when a person is incapacitated or disabled. Incapacity. For example, let us say you do not have a will or a living will, or any of the necessary healthcare documents or powers of [...]
Here is a little something to think about: The famous artist, Pablo Picasso died in 1973 at the age of 91. He left behind a fortune in assets, including his famous artwork, 5 homes, cash, gold and bonds. His estate was valued at about $250 million. But because Picasso did not have a will, it [...]
We frequently create trusts for children with special needs (called, not surprisingly, “Special Needs Trusts”) as part of our trusts and estates practice. But today we thought we would write a post, not about the law we practice, but about the people we practice law for. Because, after all, at Esser, Bradley & Khalsa, PLLC, [...]
Sometimes our relationships do not always go the way we would like. If you are considering disinheriting one of your children (or even all of them) here are a few things you might want to consider. Think Long and Hard About it. Disinheriting a child (which you can do in all states except Louisiana) is [...]
