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 ...

Many people assume that creating a Last Will and Testament is the final step in protecting their family and their assets.

If you die without a will, the state decides what happens to everything you leave behind: your money, your home, and even your personal belongings. That process, called intestate succession, can lead ...

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 ...

Q: I have been told that you can avoid probate without using a trust by registering your bank accounts a certain way. Is there any truth to this? A: With some clever planning, it may be possible to ...

(InvestigateTV) — Only 24% of Americans have an estate plan, according to a recent survey from Caring.com, meaning most are leaving the fate of their assets to chance if they become disabled or die.