Paul Norris

1 week ago | natlawreview.com | Paul Norris

As discussed in a previous blog, prior to an executor making distributions from an estate he/she must produce an accounting which the beneficiaries of an estate are entitled to review. Provided that the accounting is acceptable to the beneficiaries, distributions can be made after the beneficiaries sign refunding bonds and releases, however, should there arise a dispute that cannot be resolved with regard to the accounting a beneficiary might decide to file suit.

1 month ago | natlawreview.com | Paul Norris

In a previous blog, I discussed the process of a parent obtaining a guardianship for their special needs child. This blog discusses why it is not a good idea to try to shortcut this process and to simply have your child sign a power of attorney. Unfortunately, I have heard practitioners suggest this approach, and frankly, it made me cringe as it would be committing legal malpractice to have most special needs children sign a power of attorney.

1 month ago | natlawreview.com | Paul Norris

Despite an intention to add a spouse or domestic partner to their Will, at times a decedent may neglect to do so prior to his/her death. Under such circumstances, however, a surviving spouse or domestic partner may be entitled to a share of the decedent’s estate pursuant to the omitted spouse statute.

1 month ago | stark-stark.com | Paul Norris

In a previous blog, I discussed the process of a parent obtaining a guardianship for their special needs child. This blog discusses why it is not a good idea to try to shortcut this process and to simply have your child sign a power of attorney. Unfortunately, I have heard practitioners suggest this approach, and frankly, it made me cringe as it would be committing legal malpractice to have most special needs children sign a power of attorney.

2 months ago | stark-stark.com | Paul Norris

In many instances, spouses execute what is referred to as reciprocal wills. What this means is that each spouse designates the other as the entire beneficiary or the primary beneficiary of their estate under their wills. What happens, however, if a surviving spouse was not provided for under their deceased spouse’s will if they were married at the time the will was executed? In such instances, the elective share statute will come into play to determine how the estate is to be divided.