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 ...

Learn how to avoid probate with a payable on death (POD) account after a spouse passes away. POD accounts are free to set up ...

Probate is the legal process by which a deceased person's estate is settled. This includes validating their will (if any), paying off debts, and distributing assets as per the will or state law if ...

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 ...

When I discuss estate planning with clients and get to the topic of real estate, a lot of clients say, “Both our names are on ...

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 ...

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 ...