Articles Posted in Wills And Trusts

When making plans to secure assets for loved ones after death, it is important to know what processes your property are subject to, and how you can take control of your property now so as to have it distributed upon your death in a manner you prefer. To begin with, there are a few terms…

When playwright Edward Albee died last September at the age of 88, he had one final request. He wanted his executors, Arnold Toren, and William Katz, to destroy any unfinished manuscripts. Both men are longtime friends of the playwright. In his 2012 will, he requests that “If at the time of my death I shall…

Even though most people think about wills when they think about estate planning, there are many other tools available which are just as if not more effective to use. One of the most common devices used is called a trust. Essentially, a trust is a device that allows individuals to control the distribution of their…

Famed consumer advocate, Ralph Nader has opened a very odd museum in Winstead, Connecticut called the American Museum of Tort Law The centerpiece of the museum is the Corvair, the car that brought Nader to national Attention due to his book Unsafe at Any Speed. Nader says it’s the only museum of its in the…

An article over at marketwatch.com reports says-sex couples are less likely to save for retirement than the rest of the population. They cite a recent Prudential LGBT Financial Experience report which found most LGBT couples are more likely to call themselves spenders than savers. The report found, that compared to the population at large, fewer…

After many years as a probate lawyer, here are some of the most frequently asked questions: 1. Can a copy of a WILL be probated? Generally, only the original WILL may be probated. However, if it can be proven that the original WILL was never revoked and was destroyed AFTER the death of the decedent,…

Not all family members may become an administrator of a decedent’s estate. The general rule is that a surviving spouse has first priority, followed by surviving adult children. A common law spouse does not have an automatic right to become an administrator. However, he/she can be appointed as the administrator after the consent of the…

The executor’s (or administrator’s) primary duty is to liquidate the estate’s assets and distribute money to all beneficiaries named in the will or to distributees if there was no will. There are ways to legally compel an executor to act: After a reasonable time (6-9 months) you can demand that the executor provide an accounting…

Marilyn Monroe died 55 years ago, but even today, her estate millions per year through merchandising and similar post-mortem publicity initiatives made on her behalf. But the question is: who has the legal right to profit from all this merchandising revenue? The right of publicity has been described as the right of an individual, especially…

1. Family Matters Family disputes are a major cause for stress in people. The reason for that is because we have a very close and intimate relationship with our family members, and if there is issue within the family, it affects our health adversely and may lead to early mortality. So the best option is…