Tyka Nelson, Prince’s sister, claims that the artist died with no will in place, and for the time being judges have confirmed that. This means that Minnesota probate court will appoint a personal representative to determine the distribution of his assets based on statues and federal tax code, and... »

You may recall reading our post last year lauding how Robin Williams protected his family by minimizing estate taxes using real estate holding trusts and providing for his adult children through trusts. Unfortunately, his planning still did not allay a family feud. His estimated $100 million estate was to be inherited... »

You made your money, you should be able to decide where it goes. And so believed Leslie Ann Mandel, a Manhattan entrepreneur and millionaire who willed $100,000 to her 32 Cockatiels, dog, and cat. The animals were named individually in her will, and her instructions were specific: “It is my... »

Can frequent flyer miles be inherited? The short answer is, potentially. The fine print in most membership guides stipulates that transfers are not allowed under any circumstances, but attorneys like Robert K. Kirkland argue that digital assets such as frequent flyer miles and hotel points are "definitely an item... »

Jayne Rowse and April DeBoer's close call with an oncoming truck made them realize they needed to provide for each other, and their children. But their trip to a Detroit lawyer's office to draw up their wills and assign custody of their children brought grave news. The lawyer told the couple that... »

I am often asked "Do I need a prenuptial agreement?"  "What should be in the prenuptial agreement?"  "How do I talk to my spouse about a prenuptial agreement?" While I do not handle divorce actions for clients, nuptial agreements can be a key part of a lifetime plan and an... »

Answer:  when it's inherited from someone else, silly! Many clients use their IRA for a significant, if not primary, part of their retirement plan. After all, both traditional IRA’s and ROTH IRAs are attractive for many reasons, chief among them tax-free growth and creditor protection. Bankruptcy protection for your own... »

Late “Law & Order” actor Jerry Orbach is playing a starring role in a new legal drama — even though he died 10 years ago reports The New York Post. The actor’s friend and former accountant is refusing to relinquish control over a Chase bank account belonging to Orbach’s company, Mingoya... »

A Long Island City tenant who got herself adopted to claim a rent-controlled apartment won’t be packing her bags anytime soon. Maria DeTommaso, as she now calls herself, appeared in Queens Housing Court last week as her landlords tried to evict her from an apartment in which they say she... »

Just because they're rich and famous doesn't mean they set it up in a way to pass it on to the next generation. Take Philip Seymour Hoffman. It is always especially tragic when anyone dies leaving young children. His tragic death also emphasizes the importance of continuing to examine... »