Many people think having a will avoids probate, but that is not true. A will directs the court on who inherits, but your estate may still go through probate, which can be slow, public, and costly. Understanding how probate works and using tools like trusts, beneficiary designations, and proper asset titling can help protect your family, preserve privacy, and ensure your wishes are carried out smoothly.

Jay Leno’s conservatorship case shows that even spouses may need court approval to manage finances or medical care when a loved one becomes incapacitated. In Alabama and Florida, proper planning — including durable powers of attorney, living wills, and health care surrogate designations — can help families avoid public court proceedings, ensure care continues, and give clear guidance on who makes decisions if you cannot.

Many couples in Alabama live together for years believing long-term cohabitation creates the same legal rights as marriage. Under current Alabama law, that assumption can lead to serious problems. While some couples may have formed a valid common law marriage before January 1, 2017, many unmarried partners have no automatic right to inherit. Without proper planning, this misunderstanding often results in costly probate disputes and unintended outcomes.

Heirs property is a common but often misunderstood issue that affects families in Alabama and Florida after a loved one dies without a clear estate plan. When inherited land passes to multiple heirs without defined ownership, it can lead to forced sales, loss of property below market value, unpaid tax risks, and family conflict. This article explains how heirs property arises, the legal protections available, and steps families can take to protect inherited land.

When a person dies without a will in Alabama, the state’s intestacy laws determine how probate assets are distributed. Alabama intestacy statutes control who inherits property, how much a surviving spouse receives, and what happens when there are children or other heirs. Understanding probate versus non-probate assets and surviving spouse rights can help Alabama families avoid costly delays, court involvement, and unintended inheritance results.

Adding a child or trusted family member to your bank account may seem like a simple way to get help with bills or finances, but it can have serious and unintended estate planning consequences. Joint bank accounts often override your will, expose your money to another person’s creditors, and create family conflict. Learn why a durable financial power of attorney is often a safer way to get financial help while protecting your estate plan and inheritance wishes.

Estate planning documents are not meant to stay the same forever. Life changes like marriage, divorce, health issues, or changes in family relationships can make an existing plan outdated. Understanding when and how to revoke or update your will, trust, powers of attorney, and advance directives—while you still have legal capacity—helps ensure your wishes are honored and avoids unnecessary confusion or disputes later.

As you prepare for the New Year, it is the perfect time to review your estate plan—or finally put one in place. Outdated or incomplete documents can leave loved ones facing confusion, delays, and unnecessary stress. This practical Estate Planning Checklist walks you through the key areas to review, from assets and beneficiaries to documents, digital accounts, and communication, so you can move into the New Year with clarity and confidence.

A Florida Lady Bird Deed, also known as an enhanced life estate deed, can allow your home to pass to loved ones automatically at death while preserving your full control during life. When properly drafted, it may help avoid probate, preserve homestead protections, and support tax planning goals. Learn how Lady Bird Deeds work under Florida law and when consulting an estate planning attorney is essential.