The executor of an estate has to do a lot of time-consuming work. They have to show up for court hearings, communicate with creditors and maintain records of how they distribute the estate assets. Typically, the individuals who assume such positions need to be...
probate litigation
probate litigation
What if an estate executor removes assets from the house?
One problem that can sometimes arise during probate is that the estate executor decides that they're going to remove assets from the deceased person's home. This can be in direct violation of the estate plan and may violate the rights of the beneficiaries. After all,...
Is it time to handle financial affairs for a deceased parent?
After a parent passes away, the surviving loved ones may have a challenging road ahead. Adult children may deeply feel the grief of their parent’s passing, and while addressing their emotions is important, at least one of them will likely have to handle matters...
If there are two wills, which one counts?
Say your parent passes away, and you hypothetically find two wills. Maybe they give one to you directly, but then you find another one in the house when gathering assets. Maybe they have all of their documents in one place, and you merely find two copies when going...
How can I avoid probate?
Wills are excellent tools for leaving inheritances for heirs, but they are not always the fastest or even most effective method. Depending on the asset, it may be possible to pass it on to someone else without including it in a will or having it go through probate....
Are there some basics that need to be in everyone’s will?
While Tennessee residents have a great deal of leeway when it comes to what goes into their estate plan, some basic information will usually be in most plans. For instance, a person’s last will and testament can include a variety of information and provisions....
Factors that affect how long probate takes
Nashville residents rarely pass away without having any property, debts or other matters that require “wrapping up” by someone who survived him or her. This may require going through the probate process. The executor or personal representative of the estate will have...
What happens to a loved one’s debt after death?
Losing a loved one is difficult, even if it is expected. It takes time for life to return to normal. At some point during the grieving process, family members will need to turn their attention to closing out the Nashville resident’s estate. As part of the probate...
A simple disagreement is not a reason to contest a will
When a Nashville resident creates an estate plan, it is possible that not everyone will be happy with the decisions made. If an individual does disagree with the contents of a family member’s will, does that mean they can have a judge change it? The simple answer is...
Careful consideration needed when choosing an executor
An executor of an estate has a vast amount of duties. This person takes on great responsibility in a role that can last a few months or even up to a year or two or more in settling an estate. It takes dedication, patience, knowledge, financial savvy and the ability to...