National4 min read
Holographic Wills by State: Where They Are Valid
A holographic will is handwritten and unwitnessed. 27 states accept one, 2 recognize it only for military members, and the rest require witnesses.
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Probate Guides & Estate Settlement Articles
Search probate guides, practical articles, and estate settlement resources.1563 in-depth guides • 105 blog posts
Showing 481-490 of 1795 articlesSearch & Filter
National4 min read
How Much Does a Living Trust Cost?
A living trust costs from near nothing for a DIY form to a few thousand for an attorney one. What each route costs, and whether it is worth it.
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National4 min read
How to Fund a Trust: Moving Your Assets In
Funding a trust means retitling your assets into its name. How to move a house, accounts, vehicles, and business interests in, and why it matters.
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National4 min read
Pour-Over Will: How It Works With a Trust
A pour-over will catches assets you left out of your living trust and moves them in at death. How it works, why you still need one, and its limits.
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National4 min read
Testamentary Trust: A Trust Created by Your Will
A testamentary trust is written into your will and begins at death, often for minor children. How it differs from a living trust, and when to use one.
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National4 min read
Types of Trusts: The Main Kinds Explained
Trusts come in a few main families, and the right one depends on your goal. A plain-language guide to the common types of trusts and when each one fits.
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GuideAlabamaSupport Guide10 min read
Alabama Letters Testamentary
Alabama letters testamentary prove a will-named executor's appointment. The probate court grants them, and a nonresident executor may qualify.
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GuideArkansasSupport Guide11 min read
Arkansas Letters Testamentary
Arkansas letters testamentary prove an executor's authority. See how the circuit court sitting in probate grants them and the rule for out-of-state executors.
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Guides10 min read
Can a Beneficiary Refuse an Inheritance?
Yes. A beneficiary can refuse an inheritance with a written disclaimer. Here is why people do it and where the refused property goes instead.
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Guides9 min read
Can an Executor Also Be a Beneficiary?
Yes, and it is the normal case. What changes is the duty owed to the other beneficiaries and the tax gap between an executor fee and an inheritance.
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