While you know little about estate administration in Michigan, you know you want to avoid probate at all costs. What does that look like? Forbes offers strategies for circumventing the judicial process. Take steps to ensure your heirs and beneficiaries receive their...
Challenging a will in Michigan
In cases where a family member passes away and leaves a will behind, certain heirs may incur shock when they discover that the will does not leave them an inheritance. Intentional or not, this can be a hard situation to face. In certain cases, the would-be-heir may...
Should your executor be a family member?
When it comes time to start working on end-of-life plans, you may feel overwhelmed at first. A lot of moving parts make up an estate, after all. But what you should focus on first and foremost is the stability of your plan. You can do this by building strong...
5 things probate lawyers do
Probate attorneys help you settle the affairs of an estate. They perform many tasks within the context of the law. The job could entail work that does not appear on this list. Please think of this only as a starting point to help you understand why people hire lawyers...
Can trusts help my heirs avoid probate?
Many Americans start estate planning in order to help their heirs avoid probate. There are multiple reasons why you might want to do so, chief among them that probate can take a very long time and while your assets are in probate your heirs have no access to them. ...
Who pays your debts after you die?
If you have large amounts of debt, you may worry about the effect on your estate. Will your heirs lose all that you have to paying off the debts you owe? It depends on several factors, such as who you owe, who cosigned on the loan and your estate plan. CNBC reports...
What are the federal tax duties of the estate administrator?
If you have the important task of wrapping up someone’s final affairs, you may feel most worried about federal taxes. After all, most people feel a little nervous when going up against the IRS. The more complex the individual’s income streams, the more important it is...
Testamentary capacity can be important in a probate case
Losing a loved one is hard. While you struggle to cope with the emotional ramifications of your loss, you might also be worried about other issues pertaining to your loved one. Some of those issues might involve your loved one’s estate. These can be tricky matters,...
The basics of the probate process in Michigan
When individuals in Michigan and elsewhere draft an estate plan, they are taking the time to memorialize their wishes in writing. These wishes can detail what happens to their assets and property after they pass, medical directives if they are deemed incompetent,...
How to handle the family home during estate administration
For many people, the home that they live in is the biggest asset that they ever purchase in their life. As such, the family home may be the largest single asset that someone includes in their estate plan or last will. If you are the executor of an estate and must deal...
