Category Archives: Estate Planning
Common Disputes That Arise During the Probate Process
The death of a loved one is a difficult time, and the process of administering their estate can be equally challenging. It’s not uncommon for disputes to arise during probate. These disagreements can stem from various issues and can add significant complexity and time to the proceedings. Probate involves identifying and collecting assets, paying debts […]
Using Your Will to Nominate a Guardian of Your Minor Children
If you have minor children, you may be thinking about their future and considering who would be a good guardian for them. A guardian is a person or couple who will raise your children if you and the other parent die before they reach the age of 18. This is an extremely important decision, as […]
Simplified Probate Processes for Small Estates in Kansas
Probate is the formal process by which the property and assets of a deceased person are distributed to heirs and beneficiaries following death. The probate court opens the estate and appoints an administrator who may have been pre-designated by the decedent in the person’s will. The administrator inventories the assets, pays any legitimate debts and […]
If You Have a Living Trust, Do You Still Need a Will?
Creating a living trust lets you designate who will share in your estate after you die, without the beneficiaries having to go through the court probate process. However, a living trust alone may leave some of your assets unaccounted for, which means that state intestacy law will control their distribution. A comprehensive estate plan can […]
Estate Planning Tools That Can Help Avoid Probate
Probate is the court-supervised process of settling a decedent’s estate, including the payment of debts and taxes and the transfer of assets to heirs or beneficiaries. Probate can be complicated, time-consuming, and costly. It can also be contested if the decedent’s heirs or creditors raise challenges to the will or to the choice of executor […]
How Can I Create Estate Planning Documents During the Pandemic?
Even in its first few weeks, the COVID-19 pandemic caused many people to examine or reassess what is most important to them. The need to prepare in case of an emergency or untimely death has been highlighted by the tragic losses occurring around the country. What can you do if you can’t meet with your […]
What Advance Medical Directives Should I Have in Place If I’m Concerned About COVID-19?
Though it’s always been true, the COVID-19 pandemic has driven home the point that a debilitating medical condition can strike without warning. Whether you’re fighting the coronavirus or are incapacitated for some other reason, your wishes regarding medical treatment should be honored by family members and healthcare providers. An experienced attorney can help you put […]
Understanding How COVID-19 May Have Affected the Value of Your Estate
The economic and personal upheaval triggered by the COVID-19 outbreak is likely to warrant a review of your estate plan, no matter how thorough you think it is. As Americans cope with health fears and financial volatility, it’s worthwhile to determine whether a will, trust, advance medical directive or other legal instrument needs to be […]
Will or Trust: Is there a Preference?
People are sometimes confused about the differences between a will and a trust. Frequently, without knowing exactly why, some people believe that one is superior to the other. There are very real differences, but one is not necessarily superior to the other. A Last Will and Testament is a document in which a person, called […]