Every person should have an estate plan. It is the only way to ensure the handling of personal business after death goes smoothly. The basic document everyone needs to have is a will. If a person has no other estate planning, a will lays out some important details...
Overcoming Personal and Legal Challenges
Overcoming Personal and Legal Challenges
Wills & Probate
What you need to know about creating a valid will in Alabama
When a person passes away without a will, it can make a difficult time even more challenging for a family. Taking steps to execute a will can expedite the probate process while sparing loved pens from unnecessary uncertainty and hardship. There are a few reasons why a...
What are some signs of a quality executor?
As you look over your accumulated assets from over the years and think about what you want to put in your will, one question may come to mind. You may wonder who you should choose to be the executor for your estate. Knowing what qualities are important to completing...
Review your will after these life changes
If you have written a will, you are already doing better than most adults in the U.S. According to Marketplace, approximately half of all Americans die without this essential document. However, if you do not update estate plans, you could still leave your loved ones...
What does it mean to probate a will?
No doubt, you have heard the word “probate” and know it has something to do with the last will and testament of a deceased person. You have questions: what does it mean to probate a will, is it necessary, how long does it take and why are the courts involved? Perhaps,...
How bankruptcy can impact estate planning
Most people who start thinking about estate planning in Alabama do so because they want to provide for their family. However, many people fail to plan for all of the ways that other parties can drain their estate assets. A bankrupt beneficiary could be a money pit...
What to know about carrying out a will
Under Alabama law, a deceased person's will must generally be presented to a probate court in a timely manner. As a general rule, the estate representative is the person who is tasked with initiating probate proceedings. However, anyone who has a copy of a valid will...
Understanding the role of an executor in the probate process
The creation of a last will and testament is usually a part of a person’s estate planning process. If your own estate planning efforts will include drafting a will, a key consideration is the designation of an executor. As a consequence, it is vital for you to...
When should you update your will?
Once you've written your will in Alabama, it might be tempting to think that the estate planning process is over. But in a sense, the estate planning process is actually just beginning. Over time, you'll want to periodically review your will to ensure that your...