Louisville KY Personal Injury Lawyer – Bixler Howland P.S.C.
The mistake many people make after having their wills and other testamentary documents prepared, is to file them away and not look at them again. In an estate I am handling, the decedent made her will in 1982. She never changed it. When she passed, the executor named in the will had predeceased her and […]
Review Your Will — The Cost of a Document Left in a Drawer Read More »
I have previously advised that, in my opinion and experience, the heavily advertised “revocable trusts” are unnecessary for most people and can create problems that are unforeseen. The most common of those problems is funding. A revocable trust controls only the property that has actually been transferred into it. Deeds must be drafted and recorded,
Last Argument in Favor of Revocable Trust Removed Read More »
Did you know that nearly 68% of Americans don’t have a will? I’ve spent five decades as an estate and personal injury attorney, and I’ve witnessed first hand the chaos and heartbreak that ensues when someone dies without this critical document. Most people assume their assets will automatically transfer to their spouse or children according
The Silent Crisis in Kentucky: Why Dying Without a Will Could Devastate Your Loved Ones Read More »
Have you ever noticed how quickly we say “yes” when a loved one asks us to handle their affairs? It’s a natural response – we want to help, to show we care, to be that dependable person they can count on. But in my decades as an estate attorney, I’ve learned that this well-intentioned “yes”
When Being a Good Samaritan Isn’t: The Hidden complexities of Estate Management Read More »
In today’s world of automated phone systems and digital gatekeepers, something as simple as answering your own phone has become a remarkable differentiator in professional service. This truth hit home recently during a lunch meeting with a long-term client and our spouses. As we were wrapping up what had been a delightful meal, my client
The Lost Art of Personal Connection in Legal Practice: A Reflection After 50 Years Read More »
In the complex world of personal injury law, the divide between plaintiff and defense attorneys often seems unbridgeable. However, after nearly five decades in the field, I’ve come to realize that understanding both perspectives is not just valuable—it’s essential for achieving the best outcomes for all parties involved. My journey began on the defense side,
Bridging the Gap: Insights from Both Sides of Personal Injury Law Read More »
Get the help you need with Online Legal Forms Years ago, I practiced with a well-regarded family law attorney who spoke regularly at educational seminars for other lawyers. At those seminars, he would hand out copies of the forms he used in litigating divorce cases. He had developed these forms over the years, and they
The Hidden Dangers of Online Legal Forms Read More »
There appears to be a misconception among financial planning professionals and accountants about the impact of “estate” or “inheritance” taxes on a decedent’s estate. Some professionals have suggested that an irrevocable trust will help avoid such taxes. In some limited circumstances that may be true. However, you only need to try to avoid taxes if
Dispelling the Myth About Estate Taxes Read More »
The word “probate” in legal terms simply means “the legal process that gives recognition to a will and appoints a personal representative who will administer the estate and distribute assets to the intended beneficiaries.” It is true that a trust can avoid probate—maybe. Many clients who buy a revocable trust, for thousands of dollars, find,
Dispelling the myths of probate: Understanding Wills, Trusts, and Probate Read More »
You may have heard of someone who inherited money or property from a long lost relative they didn’t know existed and of whom they had never heard. You may have also heard of investigators who specialize in locating lost relatives for estate purposes. Maybe you have wished you had an unknown rich uncle who died
Unveiling Inheritance Laws Read More »
