When you die, estate planners say, one of the finest gifts you can leave your heirs is a plan for avoiding probate. Probate is a legal process that distributes a dead person’s assets and settles their ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Bob Carlson researches all facets of retirement finances. About 70% of U.S. adults don’t have a will or trust, according to ...

Inheritance Funding reports that probate delays can be minimized by personal representatives through clear communication, timely document handling, and organized estate management.

Quick Read Probate attorney fees are calculated as a percentage of estate value. Some estates lose over $100,000 to court ...

Q: I am retired and unmarried, and I have three children who live in other states. They don't get along very well. I'm trying to avoid probate when I die so that there will be nothing my children need ...

Many people assume that creating a Last Will and Testament is the final step in protecting their family and their assets.