Why Do I Have to Do a Probate When I Have a Trust? As an estate planning attorney, one of my least favorite conversations with a new client starts with me saying “I’m so sorry, but unfortunately, even though you have a trust, we are going to have to do a probate.” Clients are surprised to learn that this can…
For this four-part series, we are discussing very common scenarios that we see in our trust administrations where real estate is involved. Real estate, particularly the family home, often has emotional and sentimental components that can throw a wrench in trust administrations. Beneficiaries often have conflicting ideas of what to do with the family home. We will continue using the…
Real property is often the most complicated trust asset for trustees to manage. Trustees often want to do their best while also pleasing the beneficiaries, who are often their siblings or family members, and still follow the terms of the trust. This four-part series will discuss common scenarios in our trust administrations involving real estate. To begin this discussion, some…
For parents of special needs children, the estate plan is much more than a vehicle for the transfer of wealth to the next generation. The plan must take the parents’ place in their child’s life. For parents whose child will always require the care of someone else, just the thought of what the child’s life will be like after their…