Legal Marketing Blog | Expert Insights for Attorneys | Attorneys.Media Resource

Person Signing Beneficiary Designation Form

What is a beneficiary?

March 26, 2026 • By Jack Gilbert

A beneficiary is a person or entity you legally name to receive assets, money, or other benefits, often upon your death. Beneficiaries can be designated in wills, trusts, life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and payable-on-death accounts. This article explains beneficiary types, how designations work, and common mistakes to avoid. A beneficiary is a person or […]

Estate Administrator Reviewing Legal Documents

Estate Administration Probate Administration

What is an estate administrator?

March 26, 2026 • By Jack Gilbert

An estate administrator is a court-appointed personal representative who manages and settles an intestate estate (no valid will). They collect assets, pay debts and taxes, and distribute property to heirs under state law with court oversight. This article explains appointment priority, key duties, and how administrators differ from executors. Understanding the Role of an Estate […]

Executor Reviewing Estate Documents at Desk

Estate Planning Probate and Estate Administration

What is an executor?

March 26, 2026 • By Jack Gilbert

An executor is the person legally appointed to settle a deceased person’s estate through probate. They gather assets, pay valid debts and taxes, and distribute remaining property under the will or state law. This article explains what an executor does, how they’re chosen, and key responsibilities and limits. When someone passes away, their assets, debts, […]

Living Will Document with Medical Equipment

Elder Law Estate Planning

What is a living will?

March 26, 2026 • By Jack Gilbert

A living will is a legal document that states your medical treatment wishes if you become unable to communicate them. It guides doctors and loved ones on care you want or refuse, often alongside other advance directives. This article explains living wills, how they differ from advance healthcare directives, and what they cover. A living […]

Medical Forms and Stethoscope on Wooden Desk

Elder Law Estate Planning

What is an advance directive?

March 26, 2026 • By Jack Gilbert

An advance directive is a legal document that records your health care wishes and can name a medical decision-maker. It guides doctors and family if you’re incapacitated by illness or injury. This article explains why you need one, what it covers, and how to create or update it. An advance directive is a legal document […]

Healthcare Proxy Document with Stethoscope

Elder Law Estate Planning

What is a healthcare proxy?

March 26, 2026 • By Jack Gilbert

A healthcare proxy is a legal document that names 1 person (and often an alternate) to make medical decisions for you if you can’t communicate. It lets your chosen agent speak with doctors and consent to or refuse treatment based on your wishes. This article explains how healthcare proxies work, who to choose, and how […]

Legal Document Signing with Attorney and Clients

Elder Law Estate Planning

What is a durable power of attorney?

March 26, 2026 • By Jack Gilbert

A durable power of attorney is a written legal document that authorizes 1 trusted agent to handle your financial matters if you become incapacitated. It stays effective even after incapacity, allowing tasks like paying bills, managing accounts, and signing documents without a court-appointed guardian. This article explains how a DPOA works, who to choose, and […]

Legal Documents with Pen and Gavel on Wooden Desk

Elder Law Estate Planning

What is a power of attorney?

March 26, 2026 • By Jack Gilbert

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal document that grants another person authority to act on your behalf. It typically names 2 parties—the principal and the agent—and can be limited or broad, temporary or durable. This article explains how POAs work, common types, and key choices to make before signing. A power of attorney […]

Testamentary Trust Legal Document Illustration

Estate Planning Probate & Estate Administration

What is a testamentary trust?

March 26, 2026 • By Jack Gilbert

A testamentary trust is a trust created in a will that takes effect only after the person dies. It lets a named trustee manage and distribute assets for beneficiaries under the will’s instructions, often to protect minors or control timing. This article explains how it works, key pros and cons, and when it’s used. Understanding […]

Irrevocable Trust Document with Gavel and Key

Asset Protection Estate Planning

What is an irrevocable trust?

March 26, 2026 • By Jack Gilbert

An irrevocable trust is a permanent trust that generally cannot be changed or revoked after you transfer assets into it. You give up ownership and control, and a trustee manages the property according to the trust terms for your chosen beneficiaries. This article explains how it works, common uses, and key pros and cons. Understanding […]

Revocable Living Trust Document with Pen

Estate Planning Probate Administration

What is a revocable living trust?

March 26, 2026 • By Jack Gilbert

A revocable living trust is an estate planning document that lets you place assets into a trust while keeping full control and the power to change or cancel it anytime. It can help manage assets during life and streamline transfer to beneficiaries at death, often avoiding probate. This article explains how it works, key benefits, […]

Trust Document with Gavel and Legal Books

Estate Planning Probate Administration

What is a trust?

March 26, 2026 • By Jack Gilbert

A trust is a legal arrangement with 3 roles: grantor, trustee, and beneficiary. The trustee holds and manages assets under written instructions for the beneficiary’s benefit. This article explains how trusts work, key types, and when attorneys use them in estate planning. Understanding Trusts: A Simple Guide A trust is a legal arrangement where one […]

← Previous 1 … 111 112 113 114 115 … 457 Next →