Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Bob Carlson researches all facets of retirement finances. About 70% of U.S. adults don’t have a will or trust, according to ...

We constantly hear from advisors that we should plan our affairs in such a way as to avoid probate. What does the phrase mean and what property is subject to the probate process? What planning is ...

Jehan Crump-Gibson is an accomplished attorney and founder of her own law firm, Greal Lakes Legal Group, PLLC, specializing in business, real estate, and probate law. With over 16 years of experience, ...

Unlike a will, a living trust does not go through probate, which can save time and reduce legal costs. This can help streamline the process of distributing assets to designated beneficiaries without ...

Cortes Law Firm, a firm based in Oklahoma, recently published a new article that aims to help members of the community avoid probate. The article, published on the firm's blog space, explains what ...

One of the biggest mistakes people make with estate planning is to assume that estate planning means getting a document. Whether it is a will, a revocable trust, living trust, or any other document, a ...

Q: I have been told that you can avoid probate without using a trust by registering your bank accounts a certain way. Is there any truth to this? A: With some clever planning, it may be possible to ...

Michelle Ogata, Principal Attorney at Estate Planning Partners Hawaii, recently joined Kay Mukagawa of Engel and Volkers for a brand new edition of Living Akamai to shed light on probate and how to ...

The topic of probate raises many questions, but the most frequently asked is a simple one: How can I avoid it? First, let’s understand what probate is. Probate is the legal process used to determine ...

This process begins with filing a petition in the county court where the deceased resided. The court receives the death certificate then validates the will, if one exists. Next, the court appoints a ...