How does probate work?
How does probate work, and is it always necessary after you die? Someone must initiate the process in court, and the probate court will oversee......
Probate Law
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What happens if you die without a will?
What happens if you die without a will? For example, could your state take all your assets, or could one person claim it? If you......
Personal Representative’s Duties (What are they?)
Personal representative's duties controlled by the will and the probate laws of the state where the estate is being distributed. To find out more about the duties of a personal representative, click h...
Illinois Probate: The Basics
Illinois probate, the laws that deal with the collection and distribution of a dead person's estate, can seem complex and unapproachable. However, it is possible in many cases to approach Illinois pro...
Michigan Probate: The Basics
When a person dies in Michigan, the collection and distribution of their assets and property (collectively termed their'estate') is governed by Michigan probate law....
California Probate: The Basic
When a California resident dies, the collection and distribution of their possessions is governed by California probate law. The probate process depends on the total value of the decedent's (deceased ...
Arizona Probate: The Basics
Arizona probate court deals with the distribution of an individual's assets, or estate, after death. Many people have questions about probate court and what effect it might have on the will and the es...
California Probate: Bypassing the California Probate Process
If you're looking to bypass the California probate courts, you may be in luck if the decedent's estate is worth $20,000 or less (not counting property that does not go through probate, such as a home ...
Arizona Probate Procedure
If you've determined that you need to file a case in Arizona probate court, you'll need to follow the specific procedure required in the county that has jurisdiction over the case (the county in which...
Washington Probate Procedure
Washington probate procedure is fairly uncomplicated, but if you don't meet the basic requirements for simple administration of the will, or if there are extraordinary circumstances in your case, ther...
Texas Probate Procedures: How Soon Must You File?
The statute of limitations for filing probate in Texas is four years from the date of death. If you don't probate the Will or if you don't seek to submit the Will into probate within four years, then...
Georgia Probate Procedure
Some Georgia estates can be distributed without resorting to the entire probate process. For example, under Georgia's Year's Support laws, property is given to the surviving spouse and/or minor childr...
Florida Probate Procedures
If the property in the Florida decedent's estate does not fall under non-probate assets, contract assets, or joint tenancy property, the property will fall under one of the following three categories:...
Step-by-Step Guide to the Probate Process
Probate is the legal process through which the court oversees the estate of a deceased person to make sure the debts are paid and the estate is properly distributed to the heirs. Many people think tha...
Can I handle probate without a lawyer?
Keep in mind that you have several options for using a probate lawyer. You don't necessarily have to turn the whole process over to an attorney. It may be enough to consult, get advice, or have an att...
Settling Smaller Estates: A Simpler Procedure
The only time the probate process may be quick, is when the gross value of the estate is relatively small. This shorter probate process is called by different names in different states; every state's ...
Am I liable for the debts of a deceased parent or spouse?
If your parent or spouse passed away and left any debts, you may be liable for them. In the case of a spouse, it usually depends on whether you shared credit card debt, or have other shared accounts. ...
Could you avoid probate by leaving a deed filled out and notarized but not filed until death?
In some states it would work, in others it would not. To be sure that it would work for you, you would have to check out the laws of your state. Beware though, with this kind of "dresser drawer deed,"...
Are life insurance and jointly-held property considered part of the estate of the deceased, and thus subject to the estate tax?
When a person passes away and leaves behind an estate, the total amount of the estate's value is subject to the federal estate tax. The percentage of the estate tax varies each year, and typically is ...
How to Avoid Probate
Probate is an expensive and long court proceeding in which a will is reviewed, made public and determined to be valid or invalid. While probate should ideally last no longer than four to six months, r...
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