“Once a guardianship is imposed, there are few safeguards in place to protect against individuals who choose to abuse the system.” Those are the words of the US Senate Committee on Aging after a 2018 investigation into guardianship. That is a worrying statement if a...
Sometimes when you read a person’s will, it can be a pleasant surprise. You may discover that your aunt, who lived a simple life, had secretly built a multimillion-dollar property portfolio. Or that the elderly gentlemen you mowed the lawn for left you some money....
Estate administration is somewhat notorious for being a time-consuming process. While you may hope to receive your share of the inheritance promised in the estate plan quickly, the executor has many things they have to do before they can distribute assets to you and...
It can be unpleasant to think about passing away or becoming incapacitated. However, failing to make plans if either of these things happen can prove to be a costly and painful mistake. One significant consequence could be that someone you do not trust or know could...
This blog has discussed different ways a will may be contested. To help avoid will contest, it is helpful for estate planners and their families to understand the components of a valid will. So, what makes a will valid? Legal capacity The estate planner must be of...
A fiduciary assumes the duty of acting in the best interests of another person. But this responsibility is violated when the fiduciary acts solely in their own interest. This self-dealing can lead to trust contests and other estate lawsuits. Self-dealing explained...
Losing a loved one is hard. While you struggle to find a way to cope with the emotional fallout of your loss, things can be made worse when your loved one's estate plan doesn't unfold as expected. If you feel like you’ve been unfairly cut out of a will, then as...
When a loved one passes away, it isn’t uncommon for family members to become entangled in a dispute about their inheritance. If you will be the executor to your parents’ estate, you can end up having to deal with these squabbles and may need to work with an estate...
Suddenly finding out that you were left out of a loved one’s estate plan can throw shockwaves throughout your life. There’s the emotional pain associated with the thought of your loved one intentionally leaving you out of their will or trust, but there might also be...
Ohio adults with elderly parents might suspect that someone is taking advantage of their parents’ old age. Your parents might have assigned someone to be their financial power of attorney – someone who has access to their finances to manage and pay the bills. If you...
