| Revoking a Will, Methods |
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| As a general rule, a will can be changed or cancelled at any time before the testator's death. A will may be revoked (i.e., recalled or cancelled). This article discusses methods for revoking a will. More... |
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| Inheritance Without Planning Means No Person Is In Control |
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| When a person dies intestate (without making and leaving a will), each state provides a default plan (usually known as the statute of descent and distribution) under with his or her net estate is disposed. Under the default plan, no person is put in control of the disposition. The disposition must go according to the defaul plan. This article discusses the disadvantages of descent and distribution related to that inability to have a person put in control of the disposition. More... |
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| Spousal Election |
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| One of the main purposes for making and leaving a will is to guide the administration of the estate of the testator--the person who made the will. A will should be written in language that is clear and indisputable. Alas, the language in a will may be unclear or vague. This article discusses the protection of the testator's surviving spouse from complete disinheritance. More... |
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| Executors |
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| The executor must state the name and domicile of the decedent, as well as the year that domicile was established. Also the executor must state the decedent's date of death and Social Security number and the name, address, and Social Security number of the estate's executor. Similar information must be given for the estate's attorney. Further general information is requested such as the decedent's business or occupation and marital status. It requires a breakdown of the estate to show how much of it was (or is to be) received by the spouse or other heirs. This is to ascertain the estate-tax marital deduction. More... |
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| What is a Trust? |
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| A trust is related to "trust" in the ordinary sense of relying on another. A trust is a formal arrangement for property management, in the manner of an owner, by another. The management of the property is according to the original owner's directions. More... |
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