How Can I Protect My Elderly Parents’ Assets?

A woman leans over with her arms around her elderly parents. Her father in a wheelchair, her mother in an armchair. This image belongs to the article How Can I Protect My Elderly Parents' Assets?

People are living longer and more active lives than any other point in history. This also means that more and more adult children find themselves dealing with new challenges that come with aging parents. And one of the questions we hear most often is, “How can I protect my elderly parents’ assets?”

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What is the Difference Between an Executor and an Estate Administrator?

A magnifying glass reveals the words Estate Planning on a document. This image belongs to the article What Are the Difference Between an Executor and an Estate Administrator?

Serving as a personal representative (executor or administrator) for a loved one’s estate is a big responsibility. “You have the power of attorney for the deceased person’s estate. You need to handle their real estate, settle any estate tax, communicate with their loved ones, and hire a law firm for legal advice, among other things,” explains Patrick O’Brien, executor.org. All in all, the entire process typically lasts about a year from start to finish – though the actual time can vary depending on the size and complexity of the estate. But did you know there is actually a difference between an executor and an estate administrator?

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Can Beneficiaries Object to an Estate Administrator?

A gavel sits on top of a document that reads Living Trust & Estate Planning. This image belongs to the article Can Beneficiaries Object to an Estate Administrator.

An executor or personal representative can be nominated to serve in the deceased person’s will, however, if there is no Will, a court-appointed estate administrator or personal representative will be appointed by a probate court. The latter can sometimes lead to tensions amongst heirs who disagree with the court’s decision. So, one of the questions we hear often is, “Can beneficiaries object to an estate administrator?”

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#FreeBritney – What You Need to Know About the Britney Spears Conservatorship

Chances are, you’ve heard the phrase “Free Britney” in the news, you’ve seen the hashtag #FreeBritney on social media, or you’ve heard someone talking about the Britney Spears conservatorship case. But what is this all about? What is a conservatorship? And what is so special about the Britney Spears case? What is a Conservatorship? Conservatorship,…

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Guardianship of the Person and Property in Maryland (Full Guardianship)

Guardianship of the Person and Property case. Close up shot of a young woman's hands clasped around the left hand of her elderly relative laying in a hospital bed.

When a person is no longer able to make decisions for themselves because of age, disease, or disability, a legal guardian, also known as a conservator, may be appointed by a Maryland circuit court to assist in making some or all personal and/or financial decisions. There are generally three types of guardianship, referred to as…

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Guardianship of the Person in Maryland

A Guardianship of the Person case. A shot from behind of a young woman pushing her elderly relative in a wheelchair

Guardianship in Maryland, sometimes referred to as a conservatorship, can take several forms, but most common are Guardianship of the Property, Guardianship of the Person, Guardianship of the Person and Property, and Short-Term or Temporary Guardianship. In this article, we are going to explore the topic of Guardianship of the Person – what it is,…

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