Category Archives: Probate Administration
IRS Announces Another Extension for Estate Tax Filing Deadline
Just a few weeks ago the IRS announced the November 15, 2011 estate tax filing deadline for large estates of decedents who passed away in 2010; but some executors might be relieved to know that the IRS recently extended the … Continue reading
Joint Ownership A Dangerous Way to Avoid Probate
When asking about how to avoid probate, many clients have asked about the wisdom of adding family members as joint owners to bank accounts. While joint ownership will achieve the goal of avoiding probate, there are many dangers and drawbacks … Continue reading
One Simple Step Now Can Save Time and Money Later
Being named as the executor of the estate of a deceased loved one comes with many challenges, including dealing with the probate system, and refereeing unhappy family members; but one of the most difficult (and least discussed) challenges is sorting … Continue reading
Make It Easy for Your Heirs to Say “No”
People have been known to do crazy things when taxes are as unpredictable as they are currently. No, we don’t mean “offing” their relatives (although there have been plenty of those kinds of jokes going around this year), we’re talking … Continue reading
What Is Probate?
With all the recent news about what will happen with estate taxes, the process of probate has come up quite a bit. Sometimes probate is mentioned in a low-key, matter-of-fact kind of way; at other times it is presented as … Continue reading
10 Phone Calls to Make After the Death of a Loved One
Coping with the death of a loved one can be a crushing task. There are so many things to do and details to remember; all of this at a time when each small task can serve as a reminder of … Continue reading
Jane Austen’s Will: It Used to Be So Easy
Many clients are shocked when they see the sheer volume of paper in a truly well-done estate plan. A trust by itself can be hundreds of pages, not to mention the other 6 to 16 documents you may or may … Continue reading
How To Choose Your Executor or Personal Representative
Serving as someone’s executor or personal representative is a HUGE job, and not for the faint of heart. Although it is commonly considered an honor, there is a lot of work involved, and an executor must have a great capacity … Continue reading
Take Action in the Face of Estate Tax Uncertainty
If you’ve been reading our blog regularly then you know that the 2010 estate tax repeal has caused no end of confusion and uncertainty; not only for those who have been dealing with probate and trust administration since the tax … Continue reading
Defining Probate
Probate: [from the Middle-English probat, from Latin probatum…] a : the action or process of proving before a competent judicial authority that a document offered for official recognition and registration as the last will and testament of a deceased person … Continue reading