It can take a while to process an estate through probate. When you also factor in the costs involved and the public nature of probate court, you probably want to exclude as much of your estate as possible from the probate process. Fortunately, U.S. News and World...
Probate
How can an executor create an asset inventory?
If you plan on being the estate executor for a parent, you know that you have great responsibilities ahead of you. Organizing the assets of the estate is one of them. You should know what your parent owns so you can distribute the property to heirs. Creating an...
How may the probate court transfer my assets without a will
Washington State residents without a valid will may anticipate the probate court distributing their net assets under the Evergreen State’s intestate succession laws. Your “net” estate consists of the assets remaining after your estate pays off your debts, according to...
Can you face lawsuits for mismanaging an estate?
When someone names you the executor over his or her Washington estate, you owe that individual and his or her beneficiaries and creditors a particular duty of care. There are many steps involved in serving as someone's executor, and if you fail to take some of them or...
Do all estates go through probate?
Not only are you forced to deal with the emotions of losing a loved one, but you may have to help finalize the estate. Washington and many other states in the nation require probate before the courts are able to disperse assets and property left in the last will and...
Probate and paying estate taxes
If you are preparing for the probate process as the executor of your loved one's estate, there are different issues you need to consider, from notifying creditors to distributing assets. However, you could have to deal with estate taxes, depending on the value of your...
Working through a tough probate dispute
From creating an estate plan to managing a loved one’s estate after they pass away, the estate planning process can be complex and emotional from start to finish. Unfortunately, disagreements can arise at various points, and they are especially likely to surface...