It was time for Joe to start what was needed to handle his sister Carrie’s estate. She had died recently. He had her will and thought her estate was likely to qualify as a small estate under West ...

What is probate, and how does it work? When a loved one passes away, their finances, property and personal belongings don’t automatically transfer to family members. A formal, court-managed process ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Bob Carlson researches all facets of retirement finances. The recent deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa ...

Q: My sister passed away and named me as the beneficiary and executor in her will. She owned nothing. The only asset is a life insurance policy payable to her estate for $1,500. My lawyer told me not ...