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Just the other day, a friend mentioned that she had overheard someone say, "If you have a will, your loved ones don't have to go through probate." I am confident the individual offering that advice was NOT an attorney because that statement is not valid. But it does...

We have all seen movies where a disgruntled family member, upon discovering they have been left out of the wealthy relative's will, declares they will contest the will. It isn't as easy in real life to do that successfully. So, if you are considering contesting a will...

I haven't posted information about blended families in quite a while. The most recent data show that around 40% of married couples with children in a household have one or both spouses who brought children from a prior relationship. I wouldn't be surprised to learn...

The following article from NerdWallet, published on May 5, 2023, and authored by Elizabeth Ayoola, provides interesting information about a topic that is not often discussed but should be. If you have a loved one who has a mental illness for whom you want to provide...

Recently, a friend mentioned a book she was reading in which parents of adult children die in a tragic auto accident. Each parent had a will naming the other as the beneficiary, as expected, but, as it turns out, each left very different instructions should the other...

The following article was originally published on Kiplinger in August 2023. The authors, Elaine Silvestrini and David Rodeck updated it in early October 2025. Their updates, including a survey about inheritance expectations by age, are interesting, and they have added...

I am, on occasion, asked the question ... "Can you be the executor of my will?".  It's a good question to ask. Technically, the answer is yes. However, it begs another question: why would you want your attorney to be the executor? Is it your only option?...

I have written a few posts about how to select an estate planning attorney, but I thought it would be helpful to share the opinions of someone else on this topic. Originally published online on Investopedia in 2024, it was most recently updated on October 31, 2024,...

If you do not have a will or you have one but it needs updating, which situation is "worse" do you think?  Read on for the answer.   If you do not have a will, what happens when you die? The state in which you reside can step in (because you died...