August is National Make-A-Will Month, a timely reminder for individuals and families to prioritize one of the most important — and often overlooked — aspects of long-term planning: creating a Last Will and Testament. While...more
When someone passes away without a valid will, they are said to have died intestate. In Pennsylvania, dying intestate can create confusion and disputes among surviving family members over how the estate should be distributed....more
An estate plan allows a person to direct where their assets go on their death—having your estate planning in order allows your voice and your wishes to be heard. If you die without an estate plan, your wishes may not be...more
Inheritance is a very important aspect of family law. It is the branch of law that ensures welfare of family members and the continuity of the family unit after the death of an individual. Inheritance law in the UAE includes...more
Roughly two-thirds of Americans are estimated to die without executing a valid will. As a result, assets in their name will pass under the laws of intestacy of their home state. The laws of intestacy are essentially default...more
The recent death of legendary actor, Gene Hackman, age 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, age 65, has brought attention to the complexities surrounding their estate and illustrates the need for proper estate planning. At his...more
Celebrity estate disputes often make for dramatic headlines, but the legal challenges they reveal can resonate far beyond the rich and famous. Join Whitney O’Reilly, chair of our Trust & Estates Group, for an insightful...more
As estate planning attorneys, a question that often arises with new and prospective clients is, “What happens if I die without a will?” The short answer is this: if you die without a valid will in Massachusetts, state law...more
In Estate of Long, the plaintiff sued trustees and alleged that she was the only child of the decedent and asserted a cause of action for a will contest and a cause of action for a declaratory judgment action in which she...more
New amendments to the Israeli Succession Law came into effect recently. These amendments aim to alleviate the bureaucratic burden involved both in issuing probate orders or inheritance orders and in supervising estate...more
The COVID-19 pandemic has focused us all on necessities and on trying to prepare for an uncertain future. This article outlines why an estate plan is one of those necessities. I Don’t Have an Estate Plan; What Would Happen...more
When Aretha Franklin died last year, it was believed that she died without a will and that her estate, estimated to be worth $80 million, would pass under Michigan’s intestacy laws. In May of this year, however, the personal...more
The music world was left mourning the death of another legend recently with the passing of the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. A woman with a voice full of power and emotion, her death leaves a musical landscape with few (if...more