Posted by: Robert Miller
on Jun 02, 2010
The entire Anna Nicole Smith story regarding her claim to her elderly late husband’s estate began in 2007 with her claim her late husband made a oral will or trust granting her much of his wealth. This saga continues with attorneys for her estate vowing to, again, go to the Supreme Court. As was widely reported last month the fight is being carried on so Anna Nicole’s daughter can have an inheritance. So far, she will have to work for a living as the court rejected the existence of an oral estate plan.
Posted by: Robert Miller
on Apr 09, 2010
This is a will and trust story gone horribly wrong. Sadly, the circumstance are not that uncommon. Children from a previous marriage and a current wife battling over an estate. The"Easy Rider" star, filed for divorce shortly after revealing he was battling cancer. Victoria Hopper, his current wife, is alleging that children from a previous marriage are attempting to improve their position in the estate plan.
Posted by: Robert Miller
on Feb 10, 2010
For eight years our Congress has been aware of the need to fix our estate tax problems and for eight years nothing was done. You see, President George W. Bush wanted to eliminate estate tax for good. The best he could do was law that did eliminate estate tax by 2010, because he did not have enough votes to make it permanent. However, even with a Republican controlled Senate and House during his last term, he was unable to make elimination permanent. So, under Bush’s law, estate tax is eliminated in 2010 - but that law expires at the end of the year resurrecting the law that preceded Bush’s in 2011. In other words, estate taxes will apply to significantly more estates in the year 2011.
Posted by: Robert Miller
on Jan 04, 2010
If there is no will Michigan’s intestate succession law (MCLA 700.2101 et seq) determines who the estate is distributed to. I should add, this is not how most people chose to have their estate distributed when given a choice. Essentially, intestate succession is like a default will for anyone who did not prepare one for themselves. If you do not have your own will, here are some basics of “your plan” as set forth in the statutes:
Posted by: Robert Miller
on Dec 08, 2009
Many people considering their estate plan would like to avoid probate. I have found that many who have a will in place believe they have avoided probate. Avoiding probate eliminates unnecessary attorney fees (starting at $2,500.00 and sometimes much more), keeps your affairs private, keeps the court system out of your private matters, and it circumvents the months of delay that is needed for a probate action.
