Category: Estate Disputes

The decision to plan a trust can be an overwhelming one. Most people do not know where to begin. Researching the topic may prove unhelpful if they cannot decipher unfamiliar legal terms. One of the most basic distinctions among trusts is whether the trust is revocable or irrevocable. What is the Difference Between a Revocable […]

A sudden death can reveal a rift in families. It becomes even more complicated in the cases of blended families. Stepchildren may sometimes feel like the surviving parent is bleeding the estate dry and leave them out in the cold. There is often conflict and confusion in murky matters like this. Each side accuses the […]

The passing of a loved one is one of the most mournful moments of a lifetime. Emotions are high. Patience is short. Emotions can be further exacerbated by poor communication between an executor and beneficiaries. Beneficiaries who perceive, rightly or wrongly, that an executor is intentionally withholding information (i.e., the contents of safe deposit boxes, […]

Wills typically identify someone to serve as executor of the estate – a person or institution charged with administering the estate according to the instructions in the will. In cases where a will does not identify an executor or where the named executor is not willing or capable of serving in that capacity, one or […]

In Georgia, the difference between handwritten wills and holographic wills is substantial: one may be valid; the other is invalid. If you are deciding whether to probate or contest a Last Will and Testament that is not typed, it is important to understand the difference. It is also important to understand the law in the […]

Groundbreaking film director John Singleton earned a small fortune during his career. With his sudden passing from stroke complications at the age of 51, it appears there may be a family feud brewing over his estate. TMZ reports the Oscar-nominated director left his $3.8 million estate to his oldest daughter, Justice Singleton. The will was […]

If you have created an estate plan, chances are you have planned for the transfer of your bank accounts, investments, and physical property after your death. Instructions for cash and physical property tend to make up the majority of most wills. However, as we continue to transact more of our lives online, post-death planning for […]

The law in Georgia and in most other states is pretty clear that, absent express intent to the contrary, children born out of wedlock have the same inheritance rights as any biological child. But what if the parent was wealthy and wanted to avoid paying estate and other transfer taxes? In this scenario, the wealthy […]

Estate planning is a process that needs periodic attention. Both your family member’s needs and your assets will change over time. As a result, an estate plan that appropriate at one stage of your life may become less so over time. Many people do not consider the fact that after they die, their family members […]

Disputes over wills, trusts and estates are legally complex, and can fracture relationships between family members quickly. Taking a case to court not only drags out the situation, but trials can be incredibly expensive, and even winning a case can cause you to spend more than you may receive from the trust or estate. One […]