In a previous blog post, I highlighted the property distribution problems of dying without a will. Besides not deciding who receives your property, dying “intestate” causes other serious problems. Children cannot inherit property or money. Plus, they are not considered capable of taking care of themselves. So, your children will be completely unprotected if you…
If you die without a will, you die “intestate.” This means that what you have worked so hard to accumulate will be distributed according to your state’s Intestacy Statute. In other words, the legislature’s general rules decide how to split up your property. Obviously, the legislature did not think about your unique situation when they…
Most people think of “divorce” as one big legal claim. But divorce is actually several different claims that are often lumped together. You may only need to make a simple claim for absolute divorce, severing the bonds of marriage between you and your spouse. But, most people who were married for a while have other…
The law assumes that your spouse is the best person to make decisions for you, if you can’t make them yourself. Separating from your spouse does NOT override this presumption. Even obtaining a DVPO (Domestic Violence Protection Order) against your spouse doesn’t change this! Only a final divorce decree ends this preference. So, even if…