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Category: Probate

Probate services refer to the legal services provided to individuals or families involved in the administration of a deceased person's estate. These services typically involve the court-supervised process of distributing the deceased person's assets and properties to their beneficiaries or heirs according to their will or state laws if there is no will. Probate services may include drafting and filing legal documents, representing clients in court, resolving disputes between beneficiaries, managing estate assets, and advising clients on tax implications and strategies for asset protection. The goal of probate services is to ensure that the estate is distributed in an orderly and fair manner while minimizing costs and maximizing the value of the estate for the beneficiaries. Probate services are often provided by lawyers, but may also be provided by other professionals such as estate planners or financial advisors.

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What Happens to Your Will When You Move to a New State

What Happens to Your Will When You Move to a New State?

POSTED ON: August 4, 2025 BY: Troy Werner
When you relocate to a different state, your focus is likely on finding new housing, adjusting to tax changes, or updating your driver’s license. But one crucial item often overlooked is your estate plan—especially your will. While most states will honor a will that was validly executed in another state, that doesn’t mean your current […]
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Inheriting a Home with a Mortgage What You Need to Know Before You Decide

Inheriting a Home with a Mortgage: What You Need to Know Before You Decide

POSTED ON: August 1, 2025 BY: Troy Werner
When a loved one passes away and leaves behind a home, it may feel like a gift—but it often comes with strings attached. If there’s still a mortgage on the property, the inheritance includes both the asset and its financial obligations. Understanding your options early on can help you avoid unnecessary stress and protect your […]
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Why Saying “No” to an Inheritance Might Be the Smartest Move

Why Saying “No” to an Inheritance Might Be the Smartest Move

POSTED ON: July 30, 2025 BY: Troy Werner
Inheriting money or property often sounds like a blessing—but in some cases, it can become a financial burden. If an estate hasn’t been carefully planned, you may find yourself facing unintended consequences. As highlighted in USA Today’s article, “Got a big inheritance coming your way? You may just want to say no. Here’s why,” there […]
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Making the Most of Market Swings How Short-Term GRATs Can Strengthen Your Estate Plan

Making the Most of Market Swings: How Short-Term GRATs Can Strengthen Your Estate Plan

POSTED ON: July 28, 2025 BY: Troy Werner
Periods of market volatility can be nerve-wracking—but for the savvy estate planner, they may also present a window of opportunity. One strategy worth considering during unpredictable markets is the use of a short-term Grantor Retained Annuity Trust (GRAT), especially when the value of certain assets has dipped. Why GRATs Are Strategic in a Down Market […]
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Digital Estate Planning Mistakes—and How to Avoid Them

Digital Estate Planning Mistakes—and How to Avoid Them

POSTED ON: July 7, 2025 BY: Troy Werner
As our lives move further online, digital assets have become just as important in estate planning as homes, bank accounts, and retirement funds. From cryptocurrency to cloud storage, these assets require careful planning to protect both their financial value and personal significance. A recent article from The National Law Review, “The Biggest Misconceptions About Digital […]
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Even Celebrities Get Estate Planning Wrong—Here’s How You Can Get It Right

Even Celebrities Get Estate Planning Wrong—Here’s How You Can Get It Right

POSTED ON: June 23, 2025 BY: Troy Werner
You’d think some of the most successful names in Hollywood would have their estates perfectly planned. But time and again, we see even celebrities making major estate planning mistakes—and the consequences are often public, painful, and expensive. A recent CNBC article, “3 end-of-life money mistakes celebrities have made—and how you can avoid them,” reminds us […]
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A Hidden Will, a Public Mess What Tony Hsieh’s Estate Teaches Us About Planning Ahead

A Hidden Will, a Public Mess: What Tony Hsieh’s Estate Teaches Us About Planning Ahead

POSTED ON: June 13, 2025 BY: Troy Werner
The estate of Zappos founder Tony Hsieh has taken an unexpected turn—and it’s offering valuable lessons for anyone thinking about their legacy. After years of believing Hsieh died without a will, new court filings reveal that a signed estate plan did exist all along. Unfortunately, no one knew where it was—or that it even existed—until […]
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Estate Planning for Second Marriages How to Prevent Inheritance Conflicts

Estate Planning for Second Marriages: How to Prevent Inheritance Conflicts

POSTED ON: June 3, 2025 BY: Troy Werner
Blended families can bring a renewed sense of joy and stability, but they also introduce unique estate planning challenges. When one or both spouses have children from prior relationships, it’s crucial to plan ahead to avoid disputes over inheritance that can easily arise without proper legal safeguards. Despite the best of intentions, assumptions that love […]
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Why Having a Will Is One of the Greatest Gifts You Can Leave Your Family

Why Having a Will Is One of the Greatest Gifts You Can Leave Your Family

POSTED ON: May 28, 2025 BY: Troy Werner
Many estate planning attorneys have seen firsthand the emotional and financial toll that follows when someone dies without having a will. Without clear instructions, surviving loved ones are left to navigate a tangled legal process, often facing unnecessary conflict, delays, and even the possibility of children being placed in foster care. A recent Investopedia article, […]
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What Does a Probate Attorney Do?

What Does a Probate Attorney Do?

POSTED ON: May 26, 2025 BY: Troy Werner
When a loved one passes away, their estate often goes through probate, a legal process that oversees the distribution of assets, resolution of debts and execution of a will. Probate can be time-consuming and complex, especially when multiple heirs, significant assets, or disputes are involved. A probate attorney helps guide executors and beneficiaries through this […]
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