Digital Planning Podcast: Funerals360
What happens to U.S. Savings Bonds with the death of the bondholder? The answer depends on who owns the savings bond and whether others are also listed as owners or beneficiaries....more
In Charles v. Est. of Kornbacher, the estate sued a defendant regarding the ownership of real property. No. 01-23-00125-CV, 2024 Tex. App. LEXIS 2947 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] April 30, 2024, no pet. history)....more
Dear Jonathan: My father, a widower, passed away a couple of months ago. Being his only child, he appointed me as his agent on his durable power of attorney so that I can handle his bill paying which I have been doing for the...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
This newsletter is intended to keep readers informed about developments in probate and fiduciary litigation in Massachusetts and New York. Our lawyers are at the forefront of this area of the law, shaping how it is handled in...more
For executors and administrators of estates it is important to have clarity as to the timeframes within which claims can be brought against the estate they are administering. Heirs and legatees can only bring a challenge...more
In In the Est. of Lemme, an administratrix of an estate hired her boyfriend to do legal work. No. 07-21-00300-CV, 2022 Tex. App. LEXIS 8829 (Tex. App.—Amarillo December 1, 2022, no pet. history). ...more
Estate Planning Attorney Shanna Yonke explores Wisconsin’s default law regarding who gets to make decisions regarding the disposition of your body, funeral arrangements, and other matters that arise after your death. She...more
In a tragic car accident, at age 53, actress Anne Heche, known best for her roles in Donnie Brasco, and Six Days, Seven Nights, passed away on August 11, 2022. Heche’s two sons, Homer (age 20) and Atlas (age 13), survived...more
A client owned a very successful business, headquartered in Massachusetts with a flagship store in another New England state. The business structure was designed by corporate counsel to maximize creditor protection. It had...more
We “ring” in 2022 with a recent case that again shows the long reach of statutory financial elder abuse claims in California trust and estate litigation. In Ring v. Harmon (2021) ___ Cal.App.5th ___, the Court of Appeal...more
Daughter with Power of Attorney Had Burden to Show No Undue Influence over Father - Coscia v. Sweezey, 2021 WL 4765696 (Mass App. Ct. October 13, 2021) - Does holding a power of attorney from a parent in declining...more
Estate plans are supposed to be living documents that evolve over time. Generally, you should review your plan every 5 years to stay current, or whenever you or your beneficiaries have a major life event such as marriage, the...more
A divorced person died leaving 2 children under the age of 18 years of age. The decedent did not have a Last Will and Testament (“Will”), which means that we did not know who the decedent wished to nominate as the Personal...more
Estate planning is a process that must be customized to fit each individual’s unique situation. Each individual has their own priorities and issues to address. The priorities and issues for an unmarried individual are often...more
“Probate” is a legal term for the Court process of transferring assets out of a deceased person’s name and to that person’s heirs and/or beneficiaries. The difference between the term “heir” and the term “beneficiary” is...more
Conservatorship proceedings are commenced for a variety of reasons, but the most common circumstance is when an elderly person requires assistance, either with their medical care, or their financial affairs, or both, and that...more
When Karl Lagerfeld passed away in February of 2019 in France, many speculated that his cat, Choupette, was well provided for as part of his estimated $150 million estate. This pampered feline was much loved by Mr. Lagerfeld...more
The Digital Planning Podcast is designed to educate individuals about all things digital in connection with estate planning, business planning and estate administration. Your hosts, Jennifer Zegel, Ross Bruch and Justin...more
The coronavirus (COVID-19) has impacted the lives of millions across the globe, causing the loss of loved ones and livelihoods and heightening concerns for health and personal and financial safety. In these uncertain times,...more
A common misconception is that when you die with a Will, your heirs avoid probate. In California when you die with a Will and the total assets owned in your sole name exceed $166,250, your estate goes through probate (a court...more
If you’re like most people, there is a laundry list of things you’d rather do than think about your estate plan. While it can be a challenging area to discuss, your estate plan is essential to ensure you and your family are...more
If you have been named or appointed as the personal representative (also sometimes called “executor” or “administrator”) for a loved one’s estate, it is important to understand the responsibilities the role entails. Missteps...more
The Spotlight is the result of ongoing collaboration between our national trial practice and estate planning groups, with the goal of providing a forum to discuss the latest news and other issues impacting the trusts and...more
We have all heard the phrase that hindsight is 20/20. Often, going through a situation is one of the best ways to learn how to navigate it, or help others, if one encounters a similar scenario in the future. But what about...more