Reducing the Risk of a Family Fight in Probate Court

March 21, 2024
Tim Larson
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration

Many family circumstances can increase the risk of probate litigation. High-risk factors that often bring about probate litigation can include sibling rivalry, second marriages without a prenuptial agreement, and dysfunctional family dynamics. Also, a non-standard estate plan may treat children...

What to Know About Creating a Living Will

February 29, 2024
Tim Larson
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration, Wills & Trusts

Creating a living will ensures your future healthcare decisions and plans are respected. A living will, or advance directive, is a legal document outlining medical treatment preferences and end-of-life care if you can’t communicate or make decisions for yourself. Everyone...

New Year’s Resolution: Get That Estate Plan Done

January 18, 2024
Tim Larson
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration, Wills & Trusts

Visiting your attorney to get your estate plan done is one New Year's resolution that you should definitely keep. None of us knows whether or when we may find ourselves seriously injured or sick. But if it does happen, you...

What to Know About Probate: Estate Planning Basics

December 28, 2023
Tim Larson
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration

Most estate planning attorneys can help you craft an estate plan that minimizes or avoids probate altogether. Probate proceedings are part of the public record and can be very time-consuming and expensive. However, in nearly every case, to some extent...

What Is a Gun Trust?: Estate Planning Q&A

December 7, 2023
Tim Larson
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration, Wills & Trusts

According to Pew Research, 30 percent of adults in the United States report owning a firearm. Gun sales have risen in recent years, particularly during the Coronavirus pandemic. While many reported having weapons for protection and hunting, 6 percent owned...

Estate Planning for Your Digital Legacy

October 19, 2023
Tim Larson
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration

One aspect of your estate plan that you may not yet have taken into consideration is your digital legacy. Arranging what happens to your digital assets and information when you pass away has become an increasingly essential component of financial...

Why You Should Designate Beneficiaries

September 28, 2023
Tim Larson
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration, Wills & Trusts

According to WealthCounsel, over a third of Americans have experienced or witnessed familial conflict when someone dies without an estate plan. While most people believe having an estate plan is important, only a third have a plan in place, per...

3 Common Probate Questions: Estate Planning Basics

September 14, 2023
Tim Larson
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration

When people pass away, they leave behind assets, property, and possessions that can have sentimental and real value for surviving family members and loved ones. Everything that an individual owns upon their death is known as their estate. According to...

Can I Have Both Employer Insurance and Medicare?

August 4, 2023
Tim Larson
Elder Law, Estate Planning, Medicaid Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration, Senior Living, Wills & Trusts

People may have Medicare and other insurance simultaneously for several reasons.

The Probate Timeline

An estate is administered via probate by naming a personal representative (executor) and distributing assets to beneficiaries. It also requires paying the decedent’s outstanding debts and federal and state taxes. Each state has different laws determining if probate is necessary…