Category Archives: Probate
What Happens if I Leave My Spouse Out of My Will?
For a variety of reasons, you may not want to leave your spouse anything from your estate when you die. For example, you might wish to give all of your property to your children or a charitable cause, and your spouse might have adequate assets of their own. A spouse is also sometimes omitted from… Read More »
How Can I Omit Someone From My Will?
Here is one example of a celebrity who apparently did just that. When Rocky Aoki, the founder of the Benihana chain of restaurants, died in 2008, he left behind a huge empire of restaurants and a fractious relationship with his family. At the time of his death, he had effectively disinherited his children and left… Read More »
Should I Try to Avoid Probate?
For many people, the word probate conjures up fears that their hard-earned money and property will disappear after their death into the black hole of court costs and lawyers fees, dragging their heirs through a long, torturous and painful process. As a result, many people look for ways to avoid probate. The truth is that… Read More »
Can They Contest My Will?
Estate planning is the only way to exercise some control over our property after we die. A last will and testament is a basic and important tool in almost every estate plan, allowing its author to direct the destination of assets after death. Usually, family members and other beneficiaries under a will accept the directives… Read More »