Oftentimes, potential clients tell us they have a Will (excellent!), but that they would like to make a couple small changes to it. So, they ask, can they simply amend the Will, instead of having a whole new Will drafted? Whether these people know it or not, they are requesting a codicil to their Will. […]
When grief and emotions run high after the loss of a loved one, the sentimental significance of personal property can increase tremendously. No one really cared about the casserole dish grandma used every Thanksgiving, but once grandma passes everyone stakes claim to that dish. A tangible personal property list can help alleviate potential disputes between […]
Often, many of our clients ask how a Will or a gift might be contested by others. One of the main ways is by contesting the testator’s or donor’s mental capacity when the Will was signed or the gift made. The type of capacity needed for each is slightly different.
Epilawg first brought you the story of Wellington R. Burt on May 24, 2011, in Unusual Will Provisions in a Multimillion Dollar Estate. The saga appears to have finally been laid to rest, 92 years following Burt’s death. Burt’s $100 million to $110 million estate was distributed to 12 heirs who did not even know the man […]
Wellington R. Burt made millions off Michigan’s lumber industry and Minnesota’s iron mines. At one point, Burt ranked among the eight wealthiest men in America. He died on March 2, 1919, leaving an estate estimated, at the time, at $40 million to $90 million. For some his death marked the beginning of a long wait. […]
SEVEN PRACTICAL LESSONS REGARDING ESTATE SETTLEMENT & TRUST ADMINISTRATION Lesson #1: Someday…you will die. It seems harsh, but it’s a reality we all face. If you don’t agree, then estate planning may seem unnecessary. However, if you accept the fact that you won’t be alive forever, you should keep reading. When we die, someone will […]
Probate, among other things, is intended “to promote a speedy and efficient system for liquidating the Estate of the Decedent and making distributions to his successors.” A traditional probate administration is neither “speedy” or “efficient” for a small estate; therefore, Minnesota law provides an alternative if the net value of the Decedent’s probate assets do […]
Okay, I admit. I spend my free weekday evenings parsing through my Google Reader with the TV on in the background. This week, two shows that I have never seen before caught my attention; not because of the witty and meaningful dialogue, but because words like “Probate,” “Lawyer,” and “Will” came up in a prime […]
Since I am an estate planning attorney, clients, family, friends, and even strangers, often ask about what happens to any debt they may have at their deaths. Most often, people are concerned about whether loved ones will “inherit” debt. The short answer is that your estate is responsible for paying off the balance of any […]
You have traveled the country and world over and have racked up thousands of airline miles – now what do you do with them? Hopefully you take advantage of the free flights and continue to travel and experience new places. However, if you truly have so many miles and can not use them all, there are […]
In November 2004, a US Marine named Justin Ellsworth was killed in action in Iraq. His parents wanted access to Justin’s email account and asked Yahoo! for help. Yahoo! said no; allowing anyone access to another person’s email account is against their terms of service. Ellsworth’s parents decided to take Yahoo! to court and on […]