When your parents pass away, you may go through their estate to see what assets they have and what debts they have remaining. Adult children are often very curious about their parents’ financial position. This goes doubly for the person who has been named as the...
When someone creates an estate plan, they leave behind instructions about their wishes for their property and the care of their dependents. Most estate plans serve their purpose and help guide the process of estate administration when the testator dies. However, some...
The parties that invest in a business and become shareholders have an interest in its operations. The rights of shareholders include voting rights, a partial ownership interest and an influence on the long-term goals of the company. They help plan for the future and...
Few things are more upsetting than shocking surprises in your loved one's estate plan. Whether they added a new beneficiary who isn't even part of your family or redistributed their estate so that one person inherits far more than anyone else, your family members may...
In some regards, a business partnership is like marriage. There is often a honeymoon period full of excitement when the relationship starts, but things can sour later. You have obligations to one another and sometimes partial responsibility for the mistakes or...
Choosing an executor is one of the most important decisions a person makes when planning their estate. However, sometimes personal relationships can blind someone choosing an executor. It is also true that a combination of personal authority and access to valuable...
When you work with other people or businesses, you always take steps to make sure you have a solid contract. You want to be sure that if the other party makes a mistake or serious error that you’re able to end the contract and work with others who can actually get the...
If someone you love has created a will and you believe that they did not understand what they were writing or signing, then you believe that they lacked the mental capacity to make that decision. Mental capacity is an important term in estate planning, because it is...
You need to be able to depend on the people or organizations that you do business with. A business contract creates shared obligations between you and another party, allowing you to hold one another accountable. Unfortunately, not everyone makes good on their...
When a loved one passes away, it can be difficult to have perspective on what is happening before you. Grief disrupts our emotions significantly and throws us into a place where everything seems uncertain, troubling and urgent. If you were surprised to learn of the...