Learn how probate validates a will, pays debts, and distributes assets to heirs. State intestacy laws apply when there is no ...

At some point in your lifetime, you may be a beneficiary in waiting. That is what beneficiaries of wills do – they wait for a will to be probated, they wait for information from the estate’s personal ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Matthew F. Erskine is a trusts and estates attorney. Probate is a term that often sends shivers down the spine of those unfamiliar ...

Probate is usually required when there's no will, the will needs validating or there are no named beneficiaries. Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners ...

Add to that the distribution of assets and the stress of probate, and there’s the strong potential for conflict — especially ...

If you have ever been an executor of an estate or if you know someone who has had to deal with a probate estate, you likely know the probate process can be slow, cumbersome and expensive. Fortunately, ...

After a decade practicing estate planning in Idaho, I've seen estate plans range from elegantly simple to unnecessarily ...

If all registered assets pass to your intended beneficiaries without the need for an estate grant, then probate is not ...

Beneficiaries receive assets without probate when named in trusts or insurance. Immediate designation of beneficiaries ensures asset transfer according to wishes. Types of beneficiaries vary, ...

Trusts protect the farm for the next generation. With four different types of trusts, selecting the right one is integral.

Before you invest time and money into probate avoidance strategies, it's worth taking a step back to understand whether this should actually be a priority for your family.