estate planning blog

All the information you need about Wills, Power of Attorney, Healthcare Directives, Trusts and more, on our Estate Planning blog.

does a will avoid probate court

Does a Will Avoid Probate?

Clients are often unpleasantly surprised to learn that having a Last Will and Testament does not negate the need for probate. And they are sometimes annoyed when they learn that even though they are named as the Executor in a Will, that alone does not give them authority to access the decedent’s assets. Yet both of these statements are true.

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i love you will

What Is An “I Love You” Will and When It’s a Bad Idea

Most couples have what I call “I Love You” Wills, which state that all of their assets pass to the surviving spouse. Moreover, many couples own all of their assets jointly, so the assets pass to the surviving joint owner even without a Will. This is usually the outcome that couples want, but there are…

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What is a conservator

What Is a Conservator?

Definition of Conservator – A guardian or a protector nominated by the probate court to manage the financial affairs and/or personal affairs and daily life of the conserved person due to physical or mental limitations. Who Can Be a Conservator? It may be a single individual, a state official, a non-profit organization, a business, or…

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divorce plan and estate planning

Estate Planning and Divorce

Even though most people don’t plan on getting a divorce when they first tie the knot, it is a reality for many couples. While we do not practice family law here at Reed Wilson Case, and cannot help with a custody schedule, those crucial estate planning documents that you may or may not already have…

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beneficiary and heir difference

Beneficiary Vs Heir – What Is The Difference?

Whether you are putting together your own Will or standing to receive assets left to you by someone else, you may wonder what the actual difference is between a beneficiary vs an heir. Some people may use the terms interchangeably, however, heirs and beneficiaries are not the same thing. Not all heirs are beneficiaries, and…

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