When someone passes away, managing their estate requires careful planning and attention to detail. In Arkansas, as in many states, an estate administrator or an executor takes on the responsibility of overseeing the process. Although both roles seem similar, they have...
You may have come across the term “Lady Bird deed” while researching estate planning tools. This unique type of deed allows property owners to retain control over their real estate during their lifetime while still ensuring a smooth transfer upon death. While not...
When someone passes away in Arkansas, the probate process distributes their assets and addresses outstanding debts. However, Arkansas law sets a specific order of priority for these debt payments. The estate’s personal representative must follow this order to stay in...
During probate, a person’s assets are distributed to their beneficiaries. This is just one aspect of the process, but it is very important. In some cases, they will have left an estate plan that directly addresses specific assets, such as a family home or a financial...
When a family member learns they have been left out of a will, emotions can run high. You might wonder if you have any legal rights to challenge the situation. Knowing when and how you can sue over a disinheritance helps you make informed choices. Understanding...
When it comes to probate in Arkansas, joint assets are handled differently than other types of property. Joint assets, such as joint bank accounts, real estate, and other property held by two or more individuals, typically do not need to go through the full probate...
A trust is a legal tool for managing assets for someone else's benefit. The trustee manages the assets, and the beneficiary benefits from them. Trustees must act in the beneficiary's best interest. Beneficiaries can ensure trustees follow the rules. Understanding...
Creating a will provides an opportunity to protect your assets and ensure they reach the intended beneficiaries. There are several ways you can use a will to safeguard your assets from creditors, lawsuits or future disputes. Careful planning can provide long-term...
Estate planning helps ensure assets go to the right people. However, some individuals take advantage of others to change wills or trusts unfairly. The law refers to this action as “undue influence,” and it often happens when someone pressures an elderly or sick...
Ancillary probate is a legal process that occurs when a deceased person owns property in more than one state. When this happens, the primary probate case takes place in the state where the person lived, while an additional probate process is required in any other...