One of the most effective tools in the estate planning process is a trust, which can offer significant advantages-including the ability to bypass the often lengthy and costly probate process. Trusts, ...

Editor’s note: This is part one of an ongoing series about using trusts and LLCs in estate planning, asset protection and tax planning. The effectiveness of these powerful tools — especially for asset ...

Unlike a will, a living trust does not go through probate, which can save time and reduce legal costs. This can help streamline the process of distributing assets to designated beneficiaries without ...

Avoiding probate and retaining control over the distribution of your assets are two key benefits of using a living trust as part of your estate plan. With so many misconceptions around trusts, it's ...

Probate is the state’s way of saying, “We’ll handle what you didn’t.” Harsh, but true. When a person dies without proper planning, their estate enters a public legal process that can last ...

IF YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED probate, then you know first-hand why many individuals wish to avoid it. Traditionally, the probate court serves an important function in supervising the administration of the ...

Living trusts are powerful tools that can help protect client assets and make estate administration easier for families.

Q. How can we avoid probate and reduce the estate tax for our beneficiaries, who are our two adult children? We know about payable on death (POD) bank accounts. Is it better to put our two houses in ...

A: A person who creates a modern New Hampshire estate plan using a revocable trust (or living trust) can avoid probate administration and provide privacy for the family. Unlike many assets owned by ...

Q: A friend recently had to deal with her father’s estate. Most of it was subject to probate, which cost the family quite a bit. What could he have done to reduce the cost? – J.K., Deltona A: Attorney ...

When a Virginian dies with assets such as a house, car, bank accounts and investments, these assets usually must go through probate before being distributed to heirs. The probate process ensures that ...