Estate Planning
| Executors -- Steps Prior to Opening the Estate |
|
| The terms "executor," "administrator," and " personal representative" are all synonyms for someone who is legally responsible for managing the estate of a person who has died. The position of executor may be filled by a specific person named in the decedent's will or, if the decedent did not make a will, by someone whose relationship with the decedent makes him the legally responsible party (i.e., parent or spouse). The position can be refused. More... |
|
|
| Codicils |
|
| In Latin, the word "codicil" means "little will. A codicil is a formal document that amends the provisions of a will. The amendments may change, modify, or supplement the provisions of a will. More... |
|
|
| Descent and Distribution, Generally |
|
| Traditionally, a state statute of descent and distribution provides the order of preference for disposal of an intestate's net estate. As a general rule, the person or persons with the highest rank in the order of preference who survive the intestate take all of the intestate's net estate. More... |
|
|
| The Natural Objects of One's Bounty - II |
|
| This article is the second part of a three-part series describing the traditional names for the various members of one's family. More... |
|
|
| Will Contests -- Lack of Testamentary Capacity, Improper Execution, Bogus Will |
|
| You cannot contest a will simply because you don't like the provisions, or because you received less than you felt you should have received, or because the provisions were, in your opinion, unfair. You must have legal grounds, which, if supported by the evidence, would cause the will to be rejected by the Probate Court. More... |
|
|