Ward Williams is a former Editor for Investopedia focused on student loans and other financial products and services. He has over five years of professional editing, proofreading, and writing ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Ashley L. Case, J.D., LL.M., writes about tax and estate planning. Few things can complicate the otherwise straightforward matter ...

Probate Initiation: An interested party, often a family member or creditor, petitions the probate court to open an intestate estate. Appointment of Administrator: The court appoints an administrator ...

When a loved one passes away, their assets don’t always transfer to heirs right away. In many cases, the estate must go through probate, a legal process that can affect how and when property is ...