When someone dies without a will, the estate belonging to the deceased becomes subject to probate. During this process, a court makes decisions on the distribution of assets. Many complications can arise during probate proceedings. If they surface, the expense rises....
Probate Administration
What if a loved one passes away without a will?
Writing a will empowers you to decide how your assets and possessions will pass on to your loved ones when the time comes. If someone in your family passes away without a will, however, there might be uncertainty in the air regarding what will happen with their...
Avoiding sibling disputes during estate administration
If your parent dies with a poorly executed estate plan, you might have to figure it out amongst your siblings. Unfortunately, inheritance often brings out the worst in people. However, there are some things you can do to mitigate contention. Sometimes a disorganized...
4 essential qualities in an estate executor
Planning for an estate requires choosing a good executor. According to the Michigan legislature, the person nominated in a will receives precedent over an estate’s proceedings. If you do not appoint a person for estate administration, the state follows a specific...
How to deescalate disagreements between family members during the probate process
Losing a loved one is always a painful process. A drawn-out and acrimonious probate process can compound the anguish you’re already experiencing. It’s not uncommon for family members to disagree about how their loved one’s assets are distributed. However, many such...
Understanding the probate process
When a person dies and owns property, the distribution of assets to the beneficiaries usually occurs via probate. However, not all assets need to go through probate. A personal representative is a person named to administer the decedent's estate. This individual has...
Which of my assets may not require going through probate court?
Some assets may pass on to your heirs without going through the probate court. As reported by U.S. News, properties held in a trust generally do not require a court procedure. Properties that you co-own with another individual may also not require going through...
Are no-contest clauses enforceable in Michigan?
One of the driving forces behind Americans establishing estate plans is to lower the possibility of conflict between beneficiaries after death. Namely, dying without an estate plan can cause your surviving children to fight over your estate. Even a well-crafted estate...
Will my estate end up in probate?
Concerns about probate administration are common during estate planning. Everyone has heard horror stories about estates held up for months or years while the court decides on how to administer them. According to U.S. News & World Report, the probate process is a...
Probate basics: What you should know
Whether you need to plan your estate or have recently lost a close friend or family member, it is important to understand the probate process. Depending on the situation, the case may need to enter the probate process before property is distributed to the...