With the start of a new decade, people around the country are making resolutions for things they feel will improve life in the upcoming year and beyond. Some people are forgetting one important resolution that can help not only you as you navigate through your future,...
Everyone Deserves
A Helping Hand
Richard E. Fowlks, Attorney at Law
Welcome To Our Blog
We established this blog to share stories and information about topics relevant to our practice. Our intent is to regularly provide posts highlighting legal issues of local, state and national interest that we think you will find interesting. Check back later for...
Probate serves a variety of purposes
The probate process is one that is often misunderstood. You might think that if your loved one had a will, you won't have to go through probate; however, this may not be the case. The probate process serves a few purposes. One of these is that the will is filed with...
Probate entails various points, take them one at a time
Some adults choose to create an estate plan that includes a will, and sometimes, trusts. Anyone who is responsible for the handling of the estate when a loved one passes away should be prepared for the duties that come with this task. It isn't always easy because some...
Avoiding probate might be possible with planning
Thinking about having to go through probate when your loved one passes away might bring up feelings of fear and dread. It doesn't have to be this way. In some cases, a person's estate plan might make it possible to avoid probate. There are several things that the...
Estate executors can benefit from attorney assistance
Your loved one likely chose you as executor of his or her estate because of the level of trust between the two of you. After all, it is a serious duty to carry out the final wishes of someone and to oversee the process that closes any open ends that person left...
Guardianships are important components in some estate plans
A guardianship is a very important tool for parents who are worried about what is going to happen to their children if both parents pass away. This is a frightening prospect for many parents, but it is one that shouldn't be ignored. Here are a few points to remember...
Does that piece of property go through probate?
When figuring out how to distribute your property after your death, one of the first things you may need to look at is whether a certain piece of property will go through probate as it is currently titled. You may also need to consider whether you want a particular...
Carefully plan what to include in your will
One of the most important things you can do to protect your family members is to have an estate plan in place when you pass away. The cornerstone of this is the will. When you write yours, you don't have to do anything extravagant. It can be fairly simple as long as...
I was named as an executor. What does that mean?
Whether a loved one came to you and asked if you would serve as executor of his or her estate, or you found out after his or her passing that your loved one named you executor in the last will and testament, you may wonder just what that means. You may know that it...