Estate Settlement

One of the first things that happens after someone passes is the signing and delivery of a death certificate. But who needs them and how many should you get? Here's the answer.

There are four main types of gifts in a will: specific gifts, general gifts, demonstrative gifts, and residuary gifts. Here's what you should know about each.

The short answer is that, excluding federal student loan debts, tax burdens don’t magically puff into a cloud of monetary magic and disappear — they are still owed by the “estate” of the deceased, which means you have to file a tax return on their behalf. 

Per Stirpes refers to when a deceased beneficiary's share is split between their heirs, and Per Capita refers to that split going to the remaining beneficiaries instead.

You’ve seen the Hollywood films. A wealthy billionaire passes away, leaving a fortune behind. The family gathers to read the will... but is it a real thing?

The process of finding out if someone has a will — often called a “will search”— is the crucial first step in the long probate process.