In a general sense, if someone has a fiduciary duty to another, it means they are expected to act in the best interests of the other party. They are not supposed to focus on their own needs or desires but must take steps to uphold…
Not just anyone can challenge a will. They must have proper legal standing and a vested interest in the estate plan. In other words, they need to be affected in some way to have the legal grounds to challenge the details of the pl…
The elderly are a very vulnerable sector of the population. When they can no longer care for themselves, they are especially at risk of financial exploitation by their caregivers. It’s hard to make the decision to have your loved …
Regardless of the relationship among beneficiaries when the testator (the person who drafts a will) is alive, conflicts can arise after death. Siblings who are on good terms may disagree once the will takes effect. Below are three…
Estate executors have a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of the estate and its beneficiaries. This means handling the estate assets responsibly and according to the decedent’s wishes. However, not all executors discharg…
Trustees hold a vital position of responsibility and must act in the best interests of the beneficiaries. However, what happens when this trust is broken, and funds are misappropriated or stolen? An event like this can be incredib…
Does something seem suspicious about the use of a power of attorney (POA) that is supposed to protect a loved one? Unfortunately, misusing the authority these documents grant happens more than you might imagine. If you are concern…
Elder abuse is far more widespread than many people realize. It’s estimated that as many as one out of five seniors have experienced elder abuse in recent years. However, only one out of every 24 cases is actually reported. Elder …
Wills are a pivotal part of estate planning. However, so too are the people involved in implementing the written instructions in these documents. The person tasked with implementing a will is referred to as the executor. The exec…
Trusts are created for various reasons, but they all have the same basic structure. Someone (the grantor) places assets into the trust to be managed by a neutral third party (trustee) for the benefit of another (beneficiary). If y…
Your parents passed away, and they have named you as the estate administrator or executor. They did leave you a will, which is very helpful. It tells you how to distribute their assets. Some beneficiaries may already know what to …
When a loved one passes away, the emotional toll can be overwhelming. Amidst the grief, families often face the daunting task of managing the deceased’s estate. Sometimes, concerns arise about whether the decedent had the mental c…
