| Co-Ownership Myths - II |
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| One of the most confusing aspects of estate planning is the numerous myths about co-ownership of property. Many people do not understand the differences between a tenancy in common and a joint tenancy with right of survivorship. Many people do not understand what a tenancy by the entirety is or was. More... |
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| The Natural Objects of One's Bounty - II |
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| This article is the second part of a three-part series describing the traditional names for the various members of one's family.More... |
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| Estate-Tax Valuation -- Overview |
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| One of the most complex and uncertain processes is the valuation of property for federal and state death-tax purposes. Value is a variable. Reasonable minds can and often do differ over the proper value of any item of property. As executor, you must use appraisals by qualified experts, obtain documentation of recent sales of similar property, and submit photocopies of any buy/sell agreements to the IRS.More... |
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| Making Final Arrangements -- Body Disposition |
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| When thinking about your estate plan, you should also reflect on what kind of body disposition and ceremonies you desire. Planning can save money as well as save your survivors from uncertainty and further grief. A will is poor place to express your preferences because it probably will not be located and read until weeks after your death. Instead, you can write out a statement of your preferences that will be promptly available at your death to ensure that your wishes are carried out.More... |
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| Executors -- Settling the Assets |
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| As executor, your first step in settling the decedent's estate is to find all of the decedent's assets. You must then figure out which assets belonged solely to the decedent so that you can protect them until they can be distributed either according to the decedent's will or state intestacy laws. Finding such assets can be a challenge.More... |
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