Year: 2015
If passed the bill would direct the Texas Supreme Court to create various forms to aid individuals in creating wills and navigating probate pro se. One argument against estate planning are the fees involved in creating an estate plan. Many people cannot afford lawyers or they do not believe they need lawyers for their legal […]
The funeral home that handled services for Chicago Cubs great Ernie Banks has jumped into the legal battle over the estate of the Hall of Famer with a claim for more than $35,000 it says it has not been paid. Unfortunately, the drama continues for the estate of Ernie Banks. First, there are the accusations […]
Sidney Kronenberg, who owned an East Williamsburg hardware business called Brown Industries Inc., died in 2010 with about $8 million that has been accounted for, according to court records. But his son, S. Harris Kronenberg, says there is much more money out there hidden in offshore accounts and under aliases — and he bases his […]
As I have previously discussed, in spite of thorough planning, the estate of Robin Williams faces additional legal action from Susan Williams, the spouse of the late actor. However, these problems may be avoided by remembering the following tips. Before taking his own life, Robin Williams had an estate plan in place that appeared to […]
In deciding how best to approach an estate matter, it is important to be aware of how the estate creditors are to be paid. What happens to your debt when you pass away? Most Americans have debts of some kind and most debts do not disappear when the debtor passes away. Instead, the debts are […]
Bravo’s fitness star Greg Plitt — who was hit and killed by a commuter train — did not have a will, and now his family is trying to ensure his $800,000 estate ends up in the right hands. In January, Bravo TV star Greg Plitt died while shooting a commercial for an energy drink. The […]
Second marriages bring additional estate planning considerations, especially when children from past relationships are involved. Here are some tips for addressing a blended family in estate planning. Do you have a blended family? Have you made proper plans to ensure all of your family members are taken care of when you are no longer here? […]
A missing signature is at the heart of a legal battle in Australia. A man’s estranged wife, who wanted to remarry, had served signed divorce papers on him months before his death but he had not signed them. And without a will, his estate goes to her … Signing on the dotting line makes all […]
Unlike regular wills or trusts, which define how assets are conveyed to heirs, an ethical will conveys intangible values and guidance to one’s family. Consider writing an ethical will — also known as a legacy letter — for six reasons. As we age we do not just accumulate property that needs to be passed on […]
In the last decades of Huguette Clark’s life, much of her $300 million fortune was spent and her valuable belongings sold. The best-selling book Empty Mansions is full of intrigue, deception and, ultimately, tragedy — when she finally died at 104 years old, Clark’s end-of-life wishes were challenged by relatives, and many of Clark’s millions […]
