Our Blog - Surety Matters

 Achieving educational goals can be life-changing—as is the gift of paid tuition! A trust can be a great way to gift education to family members. Unlike a will, a trust, overseen by a trustee, allows…
Read Moreabout Educational Goals and Family Trusts

Unlike wills, trusts do not pass through the public probate process—and therefore can protect a family’s privacy. Some families, however, end up with public conflicts even when a trust has been established. Take, for example,…
Read Moreabout Out of Trust?

Every state has a probate process: legal steps through which property is transferred from the dead to the living. If there is a will, it is admitted to probate court to initiate the process. If…
Read Moreabout Probate and Personal Representatives?

If a loved one or friend has asked you to execute their will, chances are, like most people, you’ve said yes. Now what?  Understanding the Duties of an Executor  Executing a will is a legal…
Read Moreabout Be Prepared: How To Execute a Will

Usually, when someone dies, probate court is notified by a friend or family member, so that the affairs of the deceased can be settled—and assets distributed. What if no one notifies the court to initiate…
Read Moreabout Probate Court: Administering Unsettled Affairs

When an elderly loved one can’t make sound decisions, legal guardianship may be a helpful option. Understand the process of appointing a guardian and the role of the guardian. In An Ideal World It would…
Read Moreabout Legally Appointed Guardians for the Elderly

A trustee must follow the prudent investor rule in managing the assets of a trust. Keep in mind: this is a process-based standard—not a performance-based one. Investing Trust Assets Volatile markets present unique challenges to…
Read Moreabout What’s a Trustee To Do: Facing Volatile Markets

Protecting the Vulnerable: Fiduciary Duties and Bonds Explained When someone cannot make sound decisions for themselves, a court can appoint a fiduciary to do so. Often, courts require fiduciary bonds to protect “the ward.” Safeguarding…
Read Moreabout Protecting the Vulnerable: Fiduciary Duties and Bonds Explained

What happens when an estate or trust plan has been set up to continue the operations of a business beyond the owner’s death—but the business ultimately does not provide value to the beneficiaries? Prioritizing the…
Read Moreabout Duty-Bound to Beneficiaries: Insights for Executors and Trustees