How does the probate process begin? When an individual dies, the probate process may be started by any interested person (including creditors), although it is typically the person designated as Executor in the Will, a spouse or close relative of the decedent. What is...
When someone you know names you the executor over his or her Ohio estate, you should expect to have to take on a number of important responsibilities on that individual’s behalf. Serving as an executor requires you to take certain steps, and failing to uphold your...
As an estate executor, you will have the responsibility of dispersing an estate to its heirs. Sometimes the fate of property, like a home, is not clear. The will may not name a beneficiary to receive the residence. It is possible that you will end up selling the...
One advantage of having an estate plan is the ability to provide clarity for your surviving family members. However, sometimes disputes might still happen despite your best efforts to prevent discord. Disagreements over your estate may jeopardize its value, prolong...
Soon after a family member or a close friend dies, you may begin the probate process. If you are an executor, then you have a duty to deal with this person's estate and assets. These tasks leave you feeling overwhelmed because of the reaction of the deceased's family...
As the executor of an estate, you are responsible for managing the affairs of a testator, i.e., someone who made a will, following his or her death. Most people know that this involves distributing the testator's assets to heirs according to directions provided in...
When you serve as the executor of the estate, one of your tasks is to pay the debts of the deceased. You may not always know the fine details of your loved one's finances, but there are several steps that you can take to handle these debts. You typically have to put...
A will contest involves someone taking your will to court in order to have it invalidated. This would render all of your hard work on your estate plan null, and create additional headaches and strife for your beneficiaries and family members. Needless to say, this is...
As someone tackling estate planning, the only asset you have is real estate. How do you shift ownership of your property to beneficiaries without undue financial hardship? SFGate explains how to sidestep probate when you only have real estate in Ohio. Help your heirs...
If a loved one died and you are wondering what happens next, you should understand how the probate process works. Depending on the size of the estate, there may not even be a probate requirement. For larger estates, although the judge oversees probate, the person who...
