Wills, Trusts and Probate Law

Probate attorneys handling wills, trusts, and estate administration must typically advise their clients on matters such as beneficiary designation, how to form a life estate in property, what will happen to property if your client fails to make an estate plan, and more. FindLaw’s Corporate Counsel Center Law Library has law articles written to help you better understand specific estate planning techniques and when to consider forming a trust on your client’s behalf. If your client needs a living will or an advance health care directive, click on the articles below to help inform your research and learn the requirements of each state, such as the number of witnesses necessary and who can be designated as a health care surrogate.

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Wills, Trusts and Probate Law Articles

Avoiding a Building Moratorium in Florida: City of Palm Beach Gardens and Developers Cooperated

This was an easy column to write. Why? It's about a true story, with an interesting cast of characters, a happy ending, and it all took place right here in northern Palm Beach County. The story begins a few months ago when the John D. and Catherine ...
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Avoiding D.O.D. Syndrome in Your In-House Legal Career

One of the most poignant memories I have as a corporate lawyer is, unfortunately, also one of the most unpleasant. I was a senior associate in a large Wall Street firm in New York City, working on a small transaction for one of the premiere ...
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Avoiding Probate

Several popular books have been written about "avoiding probate". The probate process varies somewhat from state to state. In New Jersey it is not a traumatic experience. (In other states, such as Florida, it can indeed be expensive and time ...
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Avoiding Ten Common Legal Pitfalls

Pitfall: If I get buyer's remorse after making a purchase, I can return the purchased item within the three day cooling-off period. False: Generally the federal and state consumer sales three-day cooling off period only applies to uninvited home ...
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Avoiding Unsound Investments

Every five or ten years, a group of local governments loses a significant amount of money in unwise investments and serves as a reminder to all local governments that public moneys must be invested prudently and cautiously. Such losses took place ...
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Basic Estate Planning Documents for Texas Residents

There are cetain basic estate planning documents that every Texas resident should have. They are as follows: WILL A person dying intestate (without a Will) in Texas can leave countless problems for those he leaves behind. The following is an outline ...
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Building Charitable Trusts Into A Client”s Estate, Tax And Family Planning

Charitable giving has become a significant consideration in the tax and estate planning of individuals due to the substantial federal income and estate tax savings which charitable transfers can generate. Long-term family charitable projects can ...
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But Why Do I Need A Will? The Great Love Story

Many people insist that they do not need, or want, a Will...If you do not make a Will, your property will be distributed to the persons, and in the order, specifically provided in the intestacy laws of Florida. If you intended to leave specific ...
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Buy/Sell Agreement Critical for Business Owners

If your estate includes a business or and interest in a business, you should have a buy/sell agreement. Buy/sell agreements, which require or allow the company or the remaining shareholders to purchase the interest of an owner who dies or leaves the ...
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California Probate Law: Why Do I Need a Will?

Introduction A will is more than a formal written legal document setting forth how you would like your property handled at death. In your will, you can also specify guardians to take care of your minor children, establish trusts for your children's ...
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