Category Archives: Probate

Missouri Probate Information

Missouri Beneficiary Deeds – What Happens when the Owner Dies?

We have blogged several times about Missouri Beneficiary Deeds — the good, the bad, and the ugly.  We ran into a new situation today.  A divorced dad died a few months ago and left his house to 19 year old Molly, his only child, through a beneficiary deed.  We offered to help her  with “getting…

Pour Over Wills — What are they?

A “Pour Over” will is a document that is used as a supporting document in a Trust Based Estate Plan.  Trust based plans rely on “funding” or “retitling” of your assets, property, bank accounts, etc.  A Pour Over Will is a backup instrument that is intended to take care of anything that was not funded properly,…

Wills do NOT avoid Probate!

Once again last week I got to explain to a client that Wills only work through the probate system.  A very, very nice lady came in with her elderly mother’s will.  It had been prepared by an out of town firm by a lawyer recommended by a financial planner.  The will was simple, but valid.  When…

Beneficiary Deeds – Not Always the Best Choice

This is a true, but sad story. Mom and Dad owned a farm in North Missouri. Mom and Dad have two basic goals when they go see their lawyer. First, they want to keep the farm “in the family”. Secondly, they want to do so as inexpensively as possible. They have their lawyer prepare prepare…