A recent Wealth Advisor article asks a very practical question you may face someday: “Your Parent Didn’t Have A Will: What Should You Do Now?” For starters, the article advises you to make a diligent search for a will, when a parent passes away. That includes a look through your parent’s paper records and file cabinets. You should also speak with their good...
Continue ReadingWorking with an elder law or estate planning attorney may be one of the best investments a person can make, reports nj.com in its article, “Why an estate planning attorney is worth the money.” You need to make sure that all of your documents are in order. This is not an easy thing to do on your own. With properly prepared estate planning...
Continue ReadingAfter Alan Thicke passed away from a ruptured aorta in 2016, his sons Robin and Brennan were named co-trustees of his estate, according to TMZ. Fox News reports in its story, “Alan Thicke’s widow claims late actor’s sons are spending trust, keeping her from inheritance” that Alan Thicke’s wife Tanya Callau feels the brothers are leaving her out of the loop and...
Continue ReadingA petition was recently filed in San Diego probate court, through an attorney, by the family of James Donald Hess. They accused his new wife and former caregiver of “physically and verbally abusing him and asserting undue influence over him.” ABC 10 News San Diego reports in its story, “Family questions elderly father’s marriage to caregiver,” that Don Hess isn’t in the...
Continue ReadingThe new tax law will greatly decreases the number of people who will be subject to the federal estate tax. This does not mean you don’t need an estate plan. In fact, you need to review your plan now. Forbes’ recent article, “7 Reasons To Revisit Your Estate Plan, Trump Tax Law Aside,” says that even if one’s estate is unlikely to...
Continue ReadingJudge John M. Bailey of the Court of Appeals of Texas recently wrote the opinion in the Court’s decision in the case of “In the Estate of Mathis,” which involved a dispute arising from mediated family settlement agreement. Michael Mathis appealed a decision from a contested probate proceeding that was resolved by a mediated family settlement agreement and mutual release. The...
Continue ReadingCreating a trust can help assure that assets are distributed more quickly, bills are paid promptly and continuously and personal information about property and other assets remains private. The New York Times recently published an article, “Life After Your Death? Here’s Why You Should Have a Trust.” The article explained that trusts have often been thought of a way for wealthy people...
Continue ReadingNPR reported in the article “Charles Manson Grandson Wins Legal Battle Over Cult Leader’s Body” that Jason Freeman, Charles Manson’s purported grandson, whose grandmother was Manson’s first wife, was one of several people who was attempting to gain control of the notorious criminal’s body, since he died in November. Manson was serving a life sentence for coordinating the notorious “Helter Skelter” killing...
Continue ReadingIn 2010, Bobbie Wynder appointed Leroy Mangrum to be her attorney-in-fact by a general power of attorney. She died in June 2013. A year later, Wynder’s four stepchildren, also the beneficiaries under her will, filed a suit against Mangrum for disclosure of all transactions and financial records from his time as Wynder’s attorney-in-fact. From the partial accounting he provided,...
Continue ReadingThe South Carolina Supreme Court in Fisher v. Huckabee addressed who may bring a civil action on behalf of the estate of a deceased person, when the personal representative of the estate is also a potential defendant in the case. Alice Shaw-Baker lived in Charleston and had no immediate family. She allegedly had an agreement with Bessie Huckabee, Kay Passailaigue Slade and Sandra...
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