Category Archives: Wills

What is a Pour-Over Will? – Estate Planning Basics

Posted on September 23, 2015 by Roger Billings

It is time to get back to basics. A Living Trust takes the place of a Will. The Trust specifies how the estate is going to be disposed and who has the responsibility for carrying out its instructions. See … Continue reading →

Posted in Estate Planning, Estate Planning Basics, Living Trusts, Probate, Trust Funding, Wills | Tagged Basics, Estate Planning, Pour-Over Wills, Probate, Suspenders, Trust Funding, Wills | Comments Off

The Bottom Line for Estate Plans

Posted on September 24, 2014 by Roger Billings

Lynn Balou, a financial planner in the San Francisco Bay area, published an update of important points to consider in estate planning. Her final exhortation summarizes well the purpose and effect of a good estate plan: Bottom line: Each of … Continue reading →

Posted in Estate Planning, Living Trusts, Wills | Tagged avoid intestacy, Estate Planning | Comments Off

Did She Leave a Will and If So, Where Is It?

Posted on April 11, 2014 by Roger Billings

A common question is how to find a will of a deceased relative. About.com has an explanation here of the steps to go through to find the will, including how to obtain a copy from a probate court, how to … Continue reading →

Posted in Estate Planning, Probate, Wills | Tagged Finding Will, Probate Court | Comments Off

The Trials of Inheriting a Fortune – Whitney Houston’s Heirs

Posted on April 9, 2014 by Roger Billings

The inheritance of Whitney Houston’s daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, is stirring up family controversy. This from the Trials and Heirs blog: Although you should take tabloid reports with a grain of skepticism, there can be no question that Bobbi Kristina’s marriage … Continue reading →

Posted in Celebrity Probates, Probate, Wills | Tagged Celebrity Probates, Minors, Wealth Management | Comments Off

Jagger Inherits $9 Million

Posted on April 2, 2014 by Roger Billings

From the Telegraph: L’Wren Scott, the fashion designer who committed suicide last week, left her entire estate of $9 million to her long-time boyfriend Sir Mick Jagger, according to a new report. The contents of her simple will, which … Continue reading →

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Dick Clark Left a Fortune

Posted on April 19, 2012 by Roger Billings

Sound business decisions made it possible for Dick Clark to amass a huge fortune. Did he also leave a sound estate plan? Will there also be a huge estate tax bill? We’ll keep you posted. Meanwhile, here is some more info … Continue reading →

Posted in Celebrity Probates, Estate Planning, Wills | Tagged Celebrity Probates, Estate Planning, Wealth Management, Wills | Comments Off

Leading Cause of Estate Planning Paralysis is Choosing Guardian

Posted on December 16, 2011 by Roger Billings

Arden Dale of The Wall Street Journal provides suggestions for overcoming the paralysis arising from the anxiety of choosing a guardian for minor children: Many parents drag their feet for fear of picking the wrong person. Advisers say they … Continue reading →

Posted in Estate Planning, Guardianships, Wills | Tagged Decisions, Guardians, Paralysis, Wall Street Journal | Comments Off