It’s a question that more and more families are facing: what happens when a loved one dies without leaving a will? The legal term for this situation is “intestate,” and when someone dies intestate, the distribution of their assets is no longer determined by their personal wishes but instead by state law. For heirs, this...

When most people think of probate, they imagine a simple court process that transfers a deceased person’s assets to their heirs. Unfortunately, the reality is far more complicated—and expensive. The hidden costs of probate can catch families off guard, especially when they’re already dealing with the emotional toll of losing a loved one. From legal...

Cryptocurrency has exploded in popularity over the last decade, and many individuals now hold Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital assets as part of their wealth portfolio. But what happens when someone passes away and leaves behind crypto assets? For heirs, digital currency presents a unique challenge—especially when those assets are unaccounted for or hard to...

The rise of artificial intelligence tools has made it easier than ever to generate legal documents online. From contracts to leases, and even wills, people are now turning to AI to help them save time and money. But when it comes to something as important as a last will and testament, using AI to write...

Many heirs worry that when a loved one dies, they’ll inherit their debts too. Thankfully, that’s not usually the case. In most situations, debts are paid out of the estate’s assets during probate—not by the heirs themselves. That means credit card bills, medical debts, and personal loans are settled from the deceased’s bank accounts, property sales,...

A common source of confusion during probate involves joint bank accounts. Many people assume that adding a child or relative to their bank account will help them avoid probate—but the legal reality is more complicated. If the account is set up as “joint with right of survivorship,” the surviving person generally receives the funds directly—outside...

It’s a tough subject—but yes, it is generally legal to disinherit a child. Parents sometimes make this decision for personal, financial, or even emotional reasons. But doing it improperly can lead to years of courtroom battles. To legally disinherit a child, you typically need a clearly written will or trust that spells it out. Simply...

Believe it or not, billions of dollars in unclaimed inheritances sit idle across the U.S. each year. When an estate is left without clear heirs—and no one steps forward—the assets may eventually be turned over to the state through a process called escheatment. Why does this happen? Sometimes the heirs are hard to find. Other times,...

Unlike stocks or real estate, personal items with emotional value—like jewelry, art, and family heirlooms—can cause the biggest fights during probate. These items may not have a high dollar value, but their sentimental worth is priceless. When a will is vague or silent about who should get certain possessions, siblings and relatives may end up...

In some wills and trusts, you’ll find a clause that essentially says: “If you challenge this, you get nothing.” This is called a no-contest clause, and it’s meant to deter heirs from fighting over an inheritance. But does it really work—and can a beneficiary actually be disqualified? In many states, including California, no-contest clauses are enforceable—but only under...