Proving a Forged Will in Court Using Testimony & Handwriting Expert

The validity of a will can be a contentious issue within families. Whether attested or holographic, wills must meet specific criteria to be considered authentic and to be admitted to probate.  When allegations of forgery arise, the question becomes: Can the authenticity of a will be proven and what evidence is used to prove the…

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When Can an Executor Be Removed for Conflicts of Interest?

The probate process involves settling the decedent’s financial obligations, paying debts and taxes, identifying and appraising assets, and distributing the remaining assets to the rightful beneficiaries or heirs.  This is a multifaceted process that involves a careful balance of probate laws, family relationships, beneficiary interests, and executor responsibilities.  One particularly crucial aspect of the probate…

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Can a Sibling Be Appointed Guardian Over the Wishes of the Sibling’s Spouse?

The term “guardianship” refers to the court supervision of an incapacitated person. The court appoints a guardian and grants them legal authority to make personal and/or financial decisions for the incapacitated person.  This can be needed if, for example, the incapacitated person owes debts to others. This can be a lengthy process and it can…

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Probate Disputes Can Result from Ambiguous Language in Deeds

Lifetime gifts of real estate generally pass outside of the probate process, as they pass prior to probate. However, these transfers are often not discovered until the death of the property owner. This is why these disputes are often part of the probate process. Probate disputes often involve disputes over property that was purportedly or…

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Beyond Words: Unintended Consequences of Ambiguous Residuary Clauses

There is an art to estate planning. The art comes from seeing how estates are administered and what types of probate disputes arise. While nearly any attorney can draft a will, it’s the probate attorney that sees the big picture. These lessons are learned from legal battles, many of which carry on for years–if not…

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Revoking a Joint Ladybird Deed

Even the most comprehensive plans can go awry. Estate planning involves making educated guesses about what might happen in the future. There are certain eventualities that are known, others that are expected, and then there are those that cannot be foreseen. One area where discrepancies can arise is between transfers made in wills and Lady…

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