Trusts and Estates Law Blog

A family member unexpectedly passes away and you are the executor named in the decedent's Will, at least that's what you remember from a long-ago conversation you had with the decedent.  Problem is that the Will is in a safe deposit box owned by the decedent. What to do?

It's no secret that Wills and other legal documents are many times stored in a safe deposit box.  But how do you access that box now, before your appointment as the executor of the decedent's estate?... Read More

An issue not often viewed with a critical eye in the probate process is that of  "partial distribution of the estate."  For example, should the executor make a partial distribution to the beneficiaries before the probate process is complete?  It is quite normal for partial distributions to be made.  However, when a partial distribution is made, the executor loses all authority for further administration of the property... Read More