Category Archive: Avoiding Probate
- Feb. 10 2016
Digital Assets and Estate Planning
Attorneys and legislators in Wisconsin are currently developing a new law covering digital assets upon death. This new law aims to clarify the issues challenging estate planningPlanning in advance of disability, incapacity, or death to make sure that key life issues have been addressed while … Read more
- Dec. 9 2015
When to Have Your Estate Plan Reviewed
Estate plans prove themselves most valuable when they reflect your current life situation and financial position. An out-of-date estate plan can often leave you short, owing unexpected taxes, paying higher fees and protecting yourself and your children less than you had … Read more
- Aug. 19 2015
Wisconsin Probate Attorneys
As Wisconsin probateThe court process proving the validity of a WillA written document that sets forth and names the personal representative who will be in charge of overseeing the probate process and names the specific bequest and residual beneficiaries of property who are to receive and inherit assets and property through probate. A Will does not avoid probate, and must be properly drafted and executed to be legal. A Will can also avoid the use of a surety bond in many instances and can help utilize an “informal” Wisconsin probate process if it has the proper clauses and attestation clause. and conducting the orderly InventoryA document filed during probate administration and sometimes during trust administration setting forth the assets owned at the decedent’s death and the value of those assets. In a probate administration case, the Inventory is filed with the court and is a public document., Accounting, and AdministrationA process during which the deceased persons assets pay debts, claims and funeral expenses and the remaining estate funds are then distributed according to the wishes of the deceased person set forth in the Will or Trust. The Administrator is in charge of the process and must follow what is set forth in the Will or Trust. If there is no Will or Trust, the distributions and payments are made according to the law of the applicable state and is called intestate succession. of a decedent’s assets under a Will or under Intestacy laws if there is no WillA written document that sets forth and names the personal representative who will be in charge of overseeing the probate process and names the specific bequest and residual beneficiaries of property who are to receive and inherit assets and property through probate. A Will does not avoid probate, and must be properly drafted and executed to be legal. A Will can also avoid the use of a surety bond in many instances and can help utilize an “informal” Wisconsin probate process if it has the proper clauses and attestation clause.. The probateThe court process proving the validity of a Will and conducting the orderly Inventory, Accounting, and Administration of a decedent’s assets under a Will or under Intestacy laws if there is no Will. The probate process in Wisconsin typically takes between six to twelve months in Wisconsin and can take longer in some cases. Probate can be avoided by proper Estate Planning and through the use of beneficiary designations, Transfer on Death Deeds, Marital Property Agreements and Trusts. process in Wisconsin typically … Read more
- Jul. 27 2015
Estate Planning is a Process
Providing legal counsel for estate planningPlanning in advance of disability, incapacity, or death to make sure that key life issues have been addressed while the person is still of sound mind and able to understand and sign key documents such as Power … Read more
- Jan. 30 2015
Trends in 2015: Advance Care Planning
As lawyers with decades of experience helping Wisconsin families prepare for their futures, we keep an eye on estate planningPlanning in advance of disability, incapacity, or death to make sure that key life issues have been addressed while the person is still … Read more
- Oct. 27 2014
Our New Estate Planning Glossary
At Wokwicz Law Offices, LLC, we are very pleased to announce the publication of our new Estate PlanningPlanning in advance of disability, incapacity, or death to make sure that key life issues have been addressed while the person is still of … Read more
- Jun. 27 2014
Our Transparent Approach to Estate Planning
At Wokwicz Law Offices, we understand that estate planningPlanning in advance of disability, incapacity, or death to make sure that key life issues have been addressed while the person is still of sound mind and able to understand and sign key documents … Read more
- Apr. 18 2014
What is Traditional Estate Planning?
At Wokwicz Law Offices, traditional estate planningPlanning in advance of disability, incapacity, or death to make sure that key life issues have been addressed while the person is still of sound mind and able to understand and sign key documents such as … Read more
- Mar. 20 2014
March 2014 Update on the New Wisconsin Budget Bill
At Wokwicz Law Offices, we have been monitoring developments and the legal ramifications for the implementation of the latest Wisconsin Budget Bill. In this, our newest and most recent update, we have a number of key points to highlight to … Read more
- Nov. 22 2013
Protecting Assets under the New Budget Bill
As we have been writing about for some time now, the new Wisconsin Budget Bill has created a number of significant challenges for protecting assets with estate plans. As implementation of the new bill is rolled out, the estate planningPlanning … Read more