Throughout people’s lives, they acquire various assets. These could be various bank accounts, retirement accounts, investment accounts, homes and other property, vehicles, jewelry, collectibles and many other types of assets. People may cherish these assets and use...
Who receives one’s property if they pass away without a will?
It can be important for people in Missouri to plan for various aspects of their lives. People plan for their children’s education, for unexpected emergencies and expenses, retirement and other events that can arise. People should also plan for one’s death as well. It...
Intestate succession in Missouri
Most people do not know the specifics of Missouri’s intestate succession laws, but they may make a lot of assumptions about them. Intestate succession refers to the order in which a person’s estate will pass if they die without a will. Many individuals may assume that...
The basics of the probate process
Probate is an important part of the estate planning process to be familiar with. Because probate can have such a significant impact on the way an estate is distributed, it is essential to understand what the probate process is and ways to avoid it if necessary. The...
What should I keep in mind when choosing an estate executor?
After you have your estate plan ready to go, you will need to make an important decision about who will manage and oversee that plan when you die. This person is the executor of your estate. He or she holds a very important position in that his or her job is to make...
Are there advantages to probate?
As Missouri families and individuals get their affairs in order and create an estate plan that gives them peace of mind about the future, there are many new terms and rules to learn. One of the issues that commonly comes up during these discussions is probate....
5 ways to avoid probate
Probate is the court process that your property and possessions go through after you pass away. It includes distributing these assets per your will. In Missouri, probate cases can remain open for up to 12 months. As a result, loved ones cannot access the assets until...
How does the court handle debt during probate?
It is easy to think that when you die, your debts die with you. However, that is not how it works. Even after your death, your debt collectors still want to recoup the money you owe them. To do this, they will go after your estate. The Missouri probate court has a...
How can I account for family dynamics when estate planning?
One of the most common reasons why estates end up stuck in probate in Missouri is due to family bickering. If someone in your family does not like a decision you made, he or she could easily start trouble and leave your heirs in limbo waiting for the court to figure...
What is probate?
You have probably heard people talk about probate before in Missouri. People often moan and groan about it. Probate is not a bad thing. In fact, the whole idea behind it is to protect you and your estate when you die. So, it is not something horrible, but it can take...
