If you disagree with who has been appointed guardian of a minor child named in that child’s parent's will, there are several steps you can take to address your concerns. Contesting a guardianship can be a sensitive and complex process, but understanding your legal...
Estate Administration & Probate
Pros and cons of equal estate distribution
Adult children often assume that a parent’s estate is going to be split up equally. For instance, if someone has three children and $300,000 in the bank, those children may assume that they would all get $100,000. If two of them only got $10,000 and the other child...
Do you need more than one power of attorney?
While making an estate plan, you may want to include a power of attorney. By using this document, you can authorize an agent to make decisions for you. If you become incapacitated and you can’t make those decisions on your own, the legal ability passes to a person of...
How should the representative of an estate handle estate debts?
Estate administration is as much about fulfilling someone's obligations as it is about establishing their legacy. In Oklahoma, the personal representative handling estate administration has numerous personal responsibilities to fulfill. The failure to perform certain...
Who is the right guardian for your child?
Estate planning involves making numerous important decisions about who inherits your assets upon your death. A will can largely address these issues. However, a will can also serve other key functions such as naming guardians for your minor children. A guardian is a...
3 issues someone can address in an advance health care directive
An Oklahoma estate plan doesn't just provide guidance for someone's funeral and instructions for handing out their property after they die. A thorough estate plan can also include numerous other documents that may take effect while someone is still alive. Incapacity...
A shocking percentage of adults do not have a will or estate plan
Most Oklahomans understand that estate planning is an important process. They know that a will protects their loved ones, and that other estate planning documents can protect them as well. Especially if someone has children or significant personal property, they...
Does engaging in estate administration create personal financial liability?
Estate administration is a major personal responsibility. An individual agrees to carry out someone else's last wishes. They attend probate court hearings, locate personal assets and distribute property in accordance with someone's will. That process might require...
The importance of estate planning for new parents
Becoming a new parent is a life-changing event that is often marked by joy, excitement and a fair share of new responsibilities. Amid the whirlwind of welcoming a new child, estate planning might not be at the forefront of your mind, but it's an essential task that is...
Top reasons that estate disputes occur
Estate disputes can arise for various reasons, leading to conflicts between specific family members and/or beneficiaries. Oftentimes, disputes happen when there is no estate plan in place. Family members may have to work together to make decisions in the wake of a...