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 the probate process is essential for distributing a deceased's assets, requiring a court petition ...

When someone passes away without a will in our city, what happens next can be quite confusing, costly, and deeply personal. You might assume things fall into place, but state law takes over–fast. If ...

There are good reasons people want their estates to avoid probate, and a lot of ways to do it. Probate can tie up the estate for months or longer and incur extra expenses. While some states and ...

Paperwork has a quiet way of taking over grief. After a loved one passes, families often expect the legal side to be simple, orderly, and short. Instead, probate steps in with rules, deadlines, and ...

Applying for probate is a difficult business. When someone dies, the executors (those people nominated by the deceased to manage their will) need to apply for a grant of probate, which allows them ...