Category: Estate Disputes

A living trust holds your assets and dictates how your estate should be distributed among its beneficiaries. Putting your assets into a living trust can provide additional privacy regarding your assets during your life and keep those assets out of probate after your death. While a living trust is amendable by the person who created […]

Just as your will sets out your wishes for the distribution of your assets after you die, you can ensure that your desires for emergency and end-of-life care are known and followed when you unable to speak for yourself. Living Wills and Healthcare Powers of Attorney are two means by which you can accomplish this […]

The definition of trustee self-dealing might seem pretty straightforward: using the assets of a trust for one’s own benefit. Despite this relatively common-sense definition, self-dealing can be hard to identify in practice. That is one reason it is important to consult an attorney if you believe you have such a case. What does self-dealing look […]

The position of executor is a major responsibility. It is usually discussed beforehand with the future executor, but it is sometimes the case that the executor will be named to their surprise and confusion. What does it mean to be named executor, what duties are entailed by the position, and why would someone want to […]

As you begin the estate planning process, the first meeting with an attorney can be intimidating. Writing a will or creating a living trust is often the first major step, and the significance of these decisions can be overwhelming. You may be tempted to put off the initial meeting, due to the discomfort in focusing […]

When it comes to resolving estate disputes, litigation is almost always guaranteed to be the most expensive and time-consuming method. No matter which side of the courtroom you’re on, taking a family dispute to court should be your last resort. Avoiding litigation is not only financially beneficial, but it will also save your family from […]

If you are a beneficiary designated in a will, you may already be dealing with feelings of grief and loss associated with the passing of a loved one. You may have notions that disputing the handling or terms of a will is simply creating more stress than you need in this sensitive time. Emotions can […]

The purpose of guardianships and conservatorships is to protect aging adults. When an adult becomes unable to care for him or herself due to injury, illness, or old age, a judge may deem it necessary for another person to manage the incapacitated adult’s daily life (a guardian) or financial affairs (a conservator). Sadly, however, it […]

Losing a loved one is hard enough without the added stress and heartbreak of a dispute over inheritance. Your family members may not all agree about how your estate should be handled, and these disagreements can lead to bitter, costly lawsuits that can drag on for months or even years. Here a few things you […]

It may sound like something from a television show like CSI, but DNA test results can be helpful tools in an estate dispute. As DNA testing has become more available and affordable, its use in litigation has become increasingly common. Because each person has a unique DNA code made up of genetic data from his […]