A Will contest is a disruptive, but sometimes necessary, tool for preventing mistakes or abuse when a deceased person’s estate is being distributed. However, the reasons this can occur are varied, and range from relatively simple procedural issues to a serious risk of harm or exploitation. Here are five major reasons that Will contests might occur:
Category: Estate Law
Considering the Benefits and Limits of a Living Will
For many, a living will is a highly useful component of their estate plan, helping ensure you receive the care you wanted. However, many people are not aware of what a living will is, or how it could help them. Here is what you need to know about the benefits, and limitations, of a living will:
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Seven Common Traps to Avoid When Planning Your Estate
Planning your estate can be more complicated than most people realize, especially if you have a complex estate or a large number of assets. Being careful to avoid potential issues is critical to ensuring you and your family do not face serious trouble when it comes time to administer your estate. Here are seven common traps you should make sure to avoid when planning your estate:
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The Benefits of a Power of Attorney
A power of attorney is an essential part of any estate plan, but a shocking number of people do not have one. Without this critical document, you may face a substantial number of legal issues that otherwise you might have been able to avoid. But what exactly is a power of attorney, and what are the benefits of having one?
Five Things to Know About Living Trusts
A living trust, also known as an inter vivos trust, is a type of trust that can benefit you both while you are still alive, and after you pass away. However, before you think about creating a living trust for yourself, it’s important to understand what it is and what benefits it can offer. Here are five things you should know about living trusts:
Legal Issues Remain After Passing of Gene Hackman
Eugene Allen Hackman, or Gene Hackman as he was commonly known, passed away in February 2025, shortly after the death of his wife Betsy Arakawa. Although this tragedy is bad enough on its own, there are issues with their wills and Trusts that have raised serious legal concerns after their passing. Even worse, these documents were signed about two decades ago, making them potentially much harder to contest. Gene Hackman’s estate is estimated to be approximately $80 million dollars.
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Fight Over Murdoch Trust Reveals Estate Planning Issues
A legal fight over the family trust of media mogul Rupert Murdoch has resulted in a surprising loss for the billionaire, which could have significant implications for his family and his business empire. Murdoch, the owner of numerous television and newspaper companies, wanted to change the trust to favor one of his children over the others. However, he has lost the battle, showing the importance of proper and timely estate planning.
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Five Important Things You Should Know About Living Wills
Depending on your exact circumstances, a living will can be an important part of your estate plan. It can make your wishes clear to your loved ones and your doctors, ensuring you receive the care you would want if you can no longer make your own healthcare decisions. Here are five important things you need to know about living wills:
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What Role Can a Living Trust Play in Your Estate Plan?
For some people, a living trust can be an incredibly useful way to organize their assets as part of an estate plan. Not only is it an effective means of distributing your assets, but it can potentially have significant tax benefits and offer other useful protections. But what is a living trust, exactly, and what role can it play in your estate plan?
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Five Things You Need to Know About Being an Executor
If you have been appointed as the executor of an estate, it may feel like you have been given an overwhelming responsibility. And while it can be difficult, especially if legal problems arise during the Probate of your loved one’s Will, you can make things much easier for yourself if you understand a few basic principles. Here are five things you need to know about being an executor:
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