An estate executor has important responsibilities to accomplish including selling assets and settling debts. The person you assign to this role will handle your financial affairs and have access to confidential information. Take your time deciding who you want to be...
trust & probate administration
Finetuning your will to reinforce your estate plan
Having a will provides a great point of reference for your surviving family members as they prepare to close your estate. It can also provide visual reassurance to you that asset distribution will align with your intentions. Creating a will that meets your...
Preparing for your role as an executor
Having the responsibility of closing an estate requires time, patience and organization. Prior to accepting a request to be an executor, make sure you understand what your obligations will be. Your preparation can improve your confidence and your ability to...
Do family members make the best executors?
When trying to choose an executor for your estate plan, it is likely that you will think of family members before anyone else. After all, you are likely closest to them. However, is a family member your best option when it comes to executors? Duties of an executor...
Why do sibling spats over estates happen?
Many people are likely familiar with the trope of families fighting over a deceased relative's estate or will. Unfortunately, this actually happens in real life and can result in the breakdown of a family unit. Why exactly do these disputes occur? How can people...
What do executors of estates manage?
Estate plans are not simple matters, and the people who oversee them - executors - do not have an easy task at hand. What exactly do these executors have to manage? What do they hold responsibility for when it comes to keeping an estate plan processed as necessary?...
Can you face lawsuits for mismanaging an estate?
When someone in North Carolina appoints you the executor over his or her estate, you may find that there are many moving parts involved in the role. You have certain responsibilities when you serve as someone’s executor, and you also have to take certain steps to...
What is estate administration and when is it necessary?
The process of settling the estate of a deceased loved one can be quite involved, and for family members who are not prepared for probate, it can be overwhelming. The process, however, will run smoothly even amidst the grief and reflection of this difficult time if...
Understanding North Carolina’s process to contest a will
When a person passes away and has a will, often his or her property is distributed to the beneficiaries and the estate is closed. However, in some circumstances a party may contest the will. In North Carolina, the formal name for this challenge is a caveat proceeding....
How do you prioritize your estate plan review?
After creating an estate plan, experts generally agree that you should review it at least every 3 years even if nothing is currently changing in your life. This allows you to refresh your memory on what you wrote before and ensure everything still reflects your...
