When a loved one dies leaving a will, the family faces the task of settling the estate. Someone must gather the decedent’s assets, pay debts and taxes, and distribute property to beneficiaries. These tasks cannot be accomplished without legal authority. The personal representative named in the will has no power to act until a probate...KEEP READING

Property disputes often arise when someone claims to be an heir of a deceased person who died many years earlier. The claimant asserts rights to real property based on alleged parentage. No probate estate was ever opened, so this isn’t technically a probate litigation case. No court has ever determined heirship. The property has changed...KEEP READING

Disputes over estate administration often involve disagreements about how the independent executor manages the estate. There is quite a lot of probate litigation involving these issues. A beneficiary believes the executor is mishandling assets or making improper decisions. The beneficiary files suit to remove the executor. The executor hires attorneys to defend against the removal...KEEP READING

Family members sometimes create trusts for elderly parents as part of estate planning or to protect assets. An adult child acting under a durable power of attorney transfers the parent’s home, bank accounts, and personal property into a trust. The child names an attorney as trustee. Other family members become concerned. They question whether the...KEEP READING

Naming a child as independent executor of your estate seems like a natural choice. This is what many people do with their estate plan. You trust that child to handle your affairs after death. You believe that child will treat their siblings fairly and follow your wishes. But what happens when that child takes actions...KEEP READING