A holographic will is a will written entirely in the the will-maker's own handwriting and signed by them, without any witnesses. About half of U.S. states recognize them as legally valid. The rest do not. 04 Apr

Which US States Recognize a Holographic Will as Legally Valid?

Estate law remains deeply jurisdiction-specific. How the law will recognize family relationships can easily differ across provincial lines. If you intend for someone to benefit from your estate, that intention must be expressed clearly. 13 Mar

Jurisdiction Matters: What Makes You a ‘Child’ in an Estate?

Dealing with the GSTT can be complex and confusing. With proper planning, the GST exemption provides opportunities to reduce or potentially eliminate the transfer taxes associated with gifting or passing money to younger generations. 12 Mar

Understanding The Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax (GSTT)

In estate planning, people often seek strategies to safeguard their wealth. One such approach is the “Estate Freeze”. This strategy effectively locks in the current value of an estate, minimizes tax implications, and ensures a seamless transfer of assets. 28 Jan

Strategies to Safeguard Wealth: “Estate Freeze” Explained

Confused about the terms “mirror Wills” and “mutual Wills”? They are very different concepts... This article aims to explain the basic difference between them as well as the pros and cons of each. 29 Dec

Mirror Wills vs Mutual Wills: What is The Difference?

Trust distributions fall into two categories, and the difference is significant. Mandatory distributions versus discretionary distributions: the difference the trust document makes... 10 Nov

Trust Distributions: Mandatory vs Discretionary

A multijurisdictional approach uses one document, whereas a cross-jurisdictional approach uses multiple, separate documents. Both require specialized legal advice to navigate differences in foreign laws, such as forced heirship rules, and to ensure wishes are carried out effectively.  03 Nov

Multi-Jurisdictional vs Cross-Jurisdictional Estate Planning

An area of law rooted in fairness and equity, Proprietary Estoppel prevents a person from going back on a clear promise they made about a property if another person has relied on that promise to their own detriment. 18 Sep

Promised Inheritance: Understanding “Proprietary Estoppel”

Estate planning is full of jargon and look-alike terms that can trip people up. A few small words can make a big difference. Here’s a Plain-English Guide to The Most Commonly Confused Estate Planning Terms... And What They Really Mean! 17 Sep

Commonly Confused Estate Planning Terms: Florida Law

Conditional bequests are provisions in a will that make an inheritance contingent on a beneficiary fulfilling specific requirements. These conditions must be clear, possible, and not violate public policy or the law to be valid.  08 Sep

Conditional Bequests: Criteria for Legal Validity

A "letter of wishes" can also be known as a memorandum of wishes, a precatory memorandum, an expression of wishes, or a letter of intent. It serves as a non-binding document to provide guidance to executors and trustees regarding the administration of an estate or trust.  02 Sep

Letter of Wishes: Common Synonyms & Primary Use Cases

The term "executor" itself is used across many legal systems and cultures. Other terms like "estate trustee" and "estate representative" are also used, but the core function remains the same: managing the estate according to the will. 14 Aug

Estate Executor: Role —by any other name— Remains the Same