| Special Conditions in a Will |
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| As a general rule, a devise, a bequest, a legacy, or a trust in a will may benefit any person or legal entity. One major limitation is that is that a devise, a bequest, a legacy, or a trust in a will may not benefit a person or legal entity, if it does not meet a condition imposed by the testator. Most conditions are routine, such as rewarding a child with more money if he or she attends college. Some conditions are more unusual, and so, special. More... |
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| Failing to Make and Leave a Will |
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| Although estimates vary, it's pretty safe to say that more than 50 percent of the people who could make and leave a will fail to do so. More... |
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| What is a Trust? |
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| A trust is related to "trust" in the ordinary sense of relying on another. A trust is a formal arrangement for property management, in the manner of an owner, by another. The management of the property is according to the original owner's directions. More... |
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| Inheritance Without Planning Means No Provisions Beyond the Default Plan |
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| When a person dies intestate (without making and leaving a will), each state provides a default plan (usually known as the statute of descent and distribution) under with his or her net estate is disposed. When a person dies intestate, there is no adding of provisions beyond the default plan. The default plan is only the default plan and nothing more. This article discusses the disadvantages of descent and distribution related to the inability to add provisions beyond the default plan. More... |
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| Testamentary Intent |
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| In order to make a will, a person must intend to make a will. A person must have what is known as testamentary intent. The adjective 'testamentary' means related to a will, and is a derivative of the word 'testament'--the Latin word for will. The Latin phrase for testamentary intent is animus testandi, "the intention to make a testament." More... |
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