Suggestions To Smoothen The Probate Process Through Estate Planning

Suggestions To Smoothen The Probate Process Through Estate Planning

To smoothen the Probate process, it is advisable to create an estate planning strategy that helps your family gain access to assets after your die. A personal representative is an attorney acting in the best interest of a decedent during probate. Furthermore, he/she is responsible for employing the use of clauses from the UTMA and UPC during the Probate process. It is the job of the attorney to make sure there is a mutual understanding between the client and the attorney regarding the estate plan and the Probate procedures. 

When estate planning is not in tandem with the probate laws, various complications arise. This occurs in the form of enactment of Intestacy laws, property getting seized, etc. The existence of a Will can be justified if there is someone who you can bequeath your wealth to. E.g., living spouse, children, a charity, etc. In the event that a decedent leaves money for his family, he/she should recognize and find solutions to reduce the liquidated liabilities of his/her estate. One should identify all the potential errors they might run into while drafting a Will. 

Existence of Older Wills: Potential Errors and Solutions in Estate Planning

The problems older Wills can cause manifest in three ways: 

  1. A decedent’s multiple original wills are found, creating a conflict of interest.
  2. The testator’s deposited will at the domicile county courthouse will create confusion when a new will is executed without revoking the one at the courthouse. 
  3. The opposing party in a will can ‘miraculously’ chance up an older will, increasing the duration of the dispute process. 

Additionally, by having multiple older Wills, the chances your family will dispute over the bequeathed property and assets increase.

Lengthy Testamentary Wills

Wills spanning across 8 – 12 pages distract the client from executing the Will. When a client reads 12 pages to understand the crux of the document, it distracts him/her from injecting their true intentions into the Will. 

Note: Keep in mind to never overwhelm the client and create multiple lines of defense against inconsistencies appearing in documents. Additionally, keep clients in the loop by helping them create Wills not exhaustive in content. 

Next of Kin; Heirs to the Property

The concept of ‘Next of Kin’ plays a significant role in the equitable distribution of assets after a Will-Maker’s death. The question which normally plagues the mind of the client is: their Next of Kin never took responsibility and rarely cared for them, why should they inherit their wealth? By explaining procuring jurisdiction over necessary parties, an attorney describes the importance of the family tree to the testator. 

Additionally, the attorney should always create a Scrivener’s Error Affidavit in case errors are found. These errors can be in the form of a wrong address, incorrect spellings of designations, not mentioning an executor, etc. If the addresses of beneficiaries and legatees (such as the immediate family) are wrong, then the court will have to take extra steps to locate the correct beneficiaries.

Probate Process: Financial Aspects and How to Avoid Probate Through Estate Planning

General bequests will be distributed as token bequests and are an expression of appreciation to the recipient. Regarding small bequests, survivorship clauses are pertinent to insert into a Will. Furthermore,  survivorship clauses ensures that the wealth of the decedent is used in a justifiable manner by adult beneficiaries. Give the total number of executors and be concise when explaining who qualifies as an executor in the will. 

TOD and ITF accounts ensure beneficiaries are linked with accounts which hold their respective nominal gifts. Its functions are contingent on the death of the decedent who created the TOD and ITF accounts for his/her beneficiaries. Thus, an attorney should consider using the Operation of Law Transfers for Small Bequest if their client wants to avoid the typical Probate process.

The following section is a list of suggestions for leaving money to unidentified or yet-to-identify parties:

  • Inform clients what the state notice requirements for Probate are. 
  • Inter vivos trust for foreign distributees / legal beneficiaries.
  • Attorneys explaining the differences between Probate Assets and Testamentary substitutes.

Final Thoughts About Estate Planning

The probate process will be smoothened if an attorney is present at the time of the drafting of a Will. A client should appoint a Bailee of the Will who will make certain that the testator’s will is executed properly. He/she must also expressly identify all parties involved in the Will. Handling a Will alone can be overwhelming for a client, having an attorney cuts the hassle of creating a Will or finding alternatives to typical Probate procedures and estate planning. 

Table of Contents

Disclaimer:

The information provided in this blog post is for general informational purposes only. All information on the site is provided in good faith. However, we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness of any information on the site.

Under no circumstance shall we have any liability to you for any loss or damage of any kind incurred as a result of the use of the site or reliance on any information provided on the site. Your use of the site and your reliance on any information on the site is solely at your own risk.

This blog post does not constitute professional advice. The content is not meant to be a substitute for professional advice from a certified professional or specialist. Readers should consult professional help or seek expert advice before making any decisions based on the information provided in the blog.

aeecorp.net alianda.net giftsandflowersdelivery.com capnken.com chadgill.com mdkchild.com oconeefps.com vegchip.com localdentistnj.com pedare.org rushcover.com 10-10ths.com abvakabo.net personalattorneynewjersey.com graficas.us csteefel.com oqprogram.com hogchow.com nearmepersonalinjurylawyer.com exotechs.com slawson.net kengunn.com cosmeticdentistrybk.com dentistnearmetoday.com thescinc.com sensney.com porcelainveneersbrooklyn.com guyjamm.com actslab.com iklanpr.com dudedog.net jongery.com frogetha.com mayieka.com tahoerf.com namekeg.com skytudor.com digacomp.com elyrical.com abacobeachdivecenter.com zamichow.com fernworx.com rozei.org herzstein.org noniene.com webtvdoc.com arenauk.org omniali.net oolitic.net slimlife.org sentrabd.com gladych.com petrifiedtoad.com sourebh.com nslijhs.com tgspider.com lektura.org demycom.com ospreyam.com antacids.net mywebpad.com mvscrew.com lowellmovers.net gotshui.com locallawyerblog.com unimarts.com misrasi.com locallawyersnj.com alum-tek.com ubertor.net dental-aed.com medicalmalpracticeattorneybronx.com dentistnearmebronx.com defwords.com gocamden.com amprose.net mcamics.com webboss.org virdiusa.com medicalmalpracticelawyerbronx.com divinev.com lawyermarketingmiami.com nearmepersonalinjurylawyers.com medicalmallawyersbronx.com allaxion.com lphilton.com osaruman.com jaxguide.com thecall.net cssvoip.com bcsgifts.com plastron.net dentistnearmestatenisland.com popeafb.net bestbrooklynattorneys.com mrshines.com nearmeattorney.com dentistnearmequeens.com localseolawyers.com whysdmi.org lowratescarrental.com sjwalter.com dentalbrooklyn.net wofsmail.com spgurley.com omalawyers.com etalgom.com gmzbuyers.com cadsteam.com ewgapdx.com theellen.org jdevien.com booksavy.com dentalbrooklyn.info avitexas.com ebizthai.com localseodental.com castsoxs.com vr5xs6yh.com ridemoor.com brooklynadvanceddentalcare.com escorts-nyc.net personalinjuryattorneysnjs.com fastpawnonline.com toothimplantsbrooklyn.com rootcanalbrooklyn.com mearabia.com togtouch.com epcdaily.com timesfcu.com lawyersbk.com vaianisi.com cybewire.com giftsandflowersdirectory.com mooredns.com dentistnearmenewyork.com gp-beautysalon.com oxadrine.com boxsteps.com 3bliving.com psychdog.us foralbum.com eurofixpaintingandtile.com dentistrybk.com arielber.com akatonia.com ilcorail.com elitepersonalinjuryattorneys.com dentistnearmebrooklyn.com famsvane.com dentallabny.com nearmepersonalattorneys.com teethwhiteninginbrooklyn.com dentistnearmelongisland.com moversframingham.com mydentistbrooklyn.com colacake.com paradiselocksandkeys.com carsfile.com solapnet.com ausburyparkmovingcompanies.com dpfeeney.com nearmedentals.com homeinhb.com joeyspcs.com locallawyernyc.com icubeweb.com avifiles.com dentistbk.com regismfg.com bencamel.com playkiwi.com hosearch.com fondaciocanada.org click2classic.com nearmepersonalinjuryattorneys.com invisalignbrooklyn11229.com toothextractionbrooklyn.com locallawyersny.com siyangbi.com eriefsbo.com teserint.com gaiacred.com bigapplegoldbuyer.com homeimprovementgeneralcontractors.com tofuclan.com funeatin.com soldrite.com siyiyoga.com getmilko.com myhelong.com nearmepersonalinjuryattorney.com walibris.com etard.net arkrocks.com pansdora.com limmudtr.com lungsusa.org golisters.com newyorkaccidentslawyer.com greytblog.com ovolaw.com medicalmalpracticeattorneysbronx.com electionreceipt.com depsites.com opasm.org rcadss.com lamassio.com personalinjuryattorneysnys.com funemoney.com benramon.com izandoli.com leicsvle.com busiwebs.com coolnewt.com jrhome.org affirmers.org pvbgc.org localattorneynj.com sehah.org xtcplace.com djonfire.com epaops.org hometheatermiami.com peelseek.com jandavidson.net nappyboyent.net nygot.com ziggs.org uniquedayspa.net vistamro.com pdmanewengland.org ewanrose.com lawyersconsult.com grovepto.org disfilca.com artmystic.com ocany.org quarkpark.info paingold.com tactfoot.com marmasse.com iddmiami.com cdstrees.com lostel.com itxoft.com sparltech.com
On Key

Related Posts

Trusts and Wills
Federal Law

Understanding Trusts and Wills

Introduction to Trusts and Wills Trusts and wills are crucial components of estate planning, serving distinct but complementary roles in managing and distributing an individual’s

Read More »
Estate Planning

Conservatorship and Guardianship

Understanding Conservatorship and Guardianship What is Conservatorship? Conservatorship is a legal arrangement in which a court appoints a person or organization (the conservator) to manage

Read More »
Estate Planning

Crafting Your Last Will and Testament

Crafting Your Last Will and Testament: Essential Steps and Legal Advice Creating a last will and testament is a fundamental component of estate planning, ensuring

Read More »