Probate

Article of the week on ElderCareMatters.com: "If You Don't Have a Will, What Happens to Your Estate?"

Michael A. Jensen, Attorney at Law
JENSEN LAW FIRM, PLLC
P.O. Box 571708
Salt Lake City, Utah 84107
801-519-9040
www.UtahAttorney.com

If You Don't Have a Will, What Happens to Your Estate?

Why Is Avoiding Probate Important? How Can You Avoid It?

Susana Lannik, Attorney at Law
Lannik Law, LLC
Newton, MA 02458
617-658-2980

Member of the national ElderCare Matters Alliance, Massachusetts chapter

What is Probate? Probate is the legal process overseen by a court to ensure your debts are paid and your assets are distributed to beneficiaries as specified in your will. If you do not have a will, the court still oversees the distribution of your assets in accordance with a state law called the Intestacy Statute. Read more on Why Is Avoiding Probate Important? How Can You Avoid It?…

Answers to frequently asked questions about revocable living trusts

Scott Makuakane, JD, CFP
Est8Planning Counsel LLLC
Honolulu, HI 96813
808-587-8227

Member of the national ElderCare Matters Alliance, Hawaii chapter

What is a trust?

A trust is the legal relationship that is created when a person transfers property to a trustee with the understanding that the trustee will manage the property for the benefit of one or more beneficiaries.

The Probate Process – Connecticut's 6 steps can help you understand your state's procedures

Paul T. Czepiga, J.D.
Czepiga Daly Dillman, LLC
Newington & Wethersfield , Connecticut
860-563-4070

Member of the national ElderCare Matters Alliance,
Connecticut chapter

Editor's note: The following article about the probate process is a case study of the system in Connecticut. Although not nati0nal in scope, the steps examined in this article may be useful when doing estate planning in whatever state you live in and for generating questions for your financial and legal advisors.

Many people believe it is important is avoid probate. Some have heard that using a "living trust" avoids probate. Others may have had a particularly bad experience with a probate court.

To understand why one might want to use or avoid probate, let's first understand what the probate court's role is in processing estates of decedents, sometimes called the estate administration process. Read more on The Probate Process – Connecticut's 6 steps can help you understand your state's procedures…

FEAR FACTOR: Probate!

By Charles J. Hampton, Esq.
Charles J. Hampton, PC
Atlanta, Georgia
770-804-8000

Member of the national ElderCare Matters Alliance,
Georgia chapter

You might have already gotten the pitch: Come for a free dinner and learn how to avoid probate. The sale is typically a living or revocable trust — transfer your assets now so when you die they will be distributed as you wish without having to pass through the probate court.