Most people do not plan to die without a will. They mean to get around to it, or they assume their family knows what they would have wanted, or they believe their situation is simple enough that it will sort itself out. In Alabama, if no valid will exists when you die, the state does not wait for your family to reach an agreement. It applies its own set of rules, and those rules may have very … [Read more...] about What Happens to Your Assets If You Die Without a Will in Alabama?
Wills
What Happens When a Loved One Dies Without a Will in Alabama?
Losing a loved one is hard enough. When that loss is followed by legal uncertainty, unanswered questions, and unfamiliar court processes, the stress can quickly compound. In Alabama, when someone passes away without a valid will, they are said to have died intestate. This does not mean their assets disappear or that the state automatically takes everything. However, it does mean that Alabama … [Read more...] about What Happens When a Loved One Dies Without a Will in Alabama?
Do I Need a Will or a Trust?
As a new year begins, many people take stock of their finances, goals, and plans. It is often a season for getting organized and thinking about what comes next. For many families, estate planning lands on that list — but the starting point feels unclear. One of the most common questions we hear is simple and understandable: Do I need a will, a trust, or both? The honest answer is that there … [Read more...] about Do I Need a Will or a Trust?
Can a DIY Will Hold Up When Your Family Needs It Most?
If you’ve seen ads promising to help you “make a will in 15 minutes,” you’re not alone. The appeal is obvious: it looks modern, simple, and affordable — a quick way to check estate planning off your list without stepping into a lawyer’s office. And to their credit, these online platforms have opened the door for many families who might not have started planning otherwise. They’ve made the … [Read more...] about Can a DIY Will Hold Up When Your Family Needs It Most?
When Did You Last Review Your Will?
A will that’s out of date can do more harm than good. Over time, families grow, property changes hands, and laws evolve. A document that once worked perfectly can become incomplete or even invalid without anyone realizing it. Many people create a will once and assume they’re covered for life. In reality, an estate plan is only as good as how current it is. A quick review every few years can … [Read more...] about When Did You Last Review Your Will?
Could a Will Be Right For You?
The term last will dates back more than a millennium to English common law, in which a person expressed what they “willed” to have happen to their property. The use of what we now know as a will dates back even further, to ancient Romans, who, under the Code of Justinian, recognized documents that transferred possessions from deceased male citizens to their heirs. While some of the specific … [Read more...] about Could a Will Be Right For You?
