Even in the case of inheritance, stepchildren are often treated as if they were full biological children in American families. This is particularly true where stepchildren are part of a blended family from an early age. Biological siblings may have…
Family circumstances, particularly those pertaining to inheritance, can cause disagreements among heirs, including minors and adults. Relationships can change and intensify when you die, with underlying issues that bubble to the surface, creating tensions over your estate and possibly tearing…
In the absence of proper advice and guidance from a qualified estate planning attorney, many individuals make costly mistakes that will impact their assets, interests, and those they love after they pass away. Beyond undermining your intent and diminishing your…
A probate court will oversee the distribution of the decedent’s property if he or she died intestate, or without a will. Also known as intestate succession, it has similarities to the probate process when a will is present. Still, the…
When a loved one passes away, it is an emotionally difficult period. Dealing with the death and receiving an inheritance brings mixed emotions. The loss of a loved one is sad, but the influx of funds can bring joy or…
More than $3 billion is lost to fraud each year among the elderly, according to the latest data from the US Department of Justice. It is believed that $3 billion is a low estimate, as many occurrences of elderly scams…
There are many major decisions we must make as we age, and one of them is where to live. We may ask ourselves, “Am I able to remain in my home independently, or do I need assistance?” If the answer…
It is possible to face a legal dispute regarding a property transaction even if you have done your due diligence and have hired a real estate attorney for guidance. Many US businesses use litigation to solve problems, and the real…
An estate planning attorney can help you minimize or avoid probate altogether as part of your estate plan. Probate proceedings are part of the public record and can be very time-consuming and expensive. However, in nearly every case, some probate…
Some Medicare beneficiaries can now appeal previous decisions regarding their patient status following a recent federal court ruling. The Underlying Issue When Medicare patients go to a hospital, they often enter through the emergency department. The physician who attends to…