It’s hard enough to lose a loved one without adding the stress of probating a will. To probate a will means to establish its validity. Below are 7 common mistakes made during the probate process to help guide the bereaved in the right direction. 1) Procrastination It’s understood, the bereaved need time to grieve. However, starting the process and contacting a probate attorney within a few months makes sense because …Read More
Tag Archives: Probate Administration
Probate: What It Means and When You Will Need It
No one likes to think about the passage of time and the inevitability of death. Unfortunately, at some point we will all have to deal with the passing of a loved one. When that happens, the suffering that one feels is often exacerbated by the legal issues that come with dividing assets. Terms like “heirs,” “devisees” and “joint tenancy with right of survivorship” can make any person with a lack …Read More
What is a Tenant by the Entirety?
A tenancy by entirety is a phrase that means real estate is owned by a married couple and if one spouse dies, then 100% of title to the property automatically vest in the surviving spouse’s name. This is a very important and simple tool for estate planning purposes because it avoids the necessity of probate when one spouse dies. That is, of course, if you wish for the land to …Read More
Top 5 Mistakes in Handwritten Wills
A handwritten Will is a valid method for expressing your last wishes as to whom you desire to inherit from you. Many people choose to write their own Wills to save the expense of hiring an attorney. Others think their estate is too small to warrant getting a legal professional’s assistance. Regardless of the reason for choosing to handwrite your Will, you should be aware of the pitfalls of this …Read More
Can I handwrite my own Will?
Yes, you can handwrite your own Will, but I would not recommend it. While simple in theory, handwritten Wills often are fraught with mistakes that can cause confusion that defeats the purpose. In worst case scenarios, a handwritten Will can be contested and ruled invalid and unenforceable by the Court. Handwritten Wills are called holographic Wills by the Court. In order for a handwritten Will to be valid in Tennessee …Read More