Spencer Wills & Probate Lawyer, Iowa
Includes: Estate Administration, Living Wills, Wills
Warning! No lawyers found in this specified area.
TIPS
Easily find Spencer Wills & Probate Lawyers and Spencer Wills & Probate Law Firms. For more attorneys, search all Estate areas including Estate Planning, Trusts and Power of Attorney attorneys.
LEGAL TERMS
SURVIVING SPOUSE'S TRUST
If a couple has created an AB trust, the revocable living trust (Trust B) of the surviving spouse, after the first spouse has died.
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR
Someone appointed by a probate court to oversee probate proceedings when a person dies without a will or heirs, and his or her property is expected to pass to t... (more...)
Someone appointed by a probate court to oversee probate proceedings when a person dies without a will or heirs, and his or her property is expected to pass to the state. Some states have public administrators who are responsible for temporarily preserving the assets of an estate if there are disputes about specific provisions in the will or about who will be appointed the regular administrator.
RESIDUARY BENEFICIARY
A person who receives any property by a will or trust that is not specifically left to another designated beneficiary. For example, if Antonio makes a will leav... (more...)
A person who receives any property by a will or trust that is not specifically left to another designated beneficiary. For example, if Antonio makes a will leaving his home to Edwina and the remainder of his property to Elmo, then Elmo is the residuary beneficiary.
SUMMARY PROBATE
A relatively simple probate proceeding available for 'small estates,' as that term is defined by state law. Every state's definition is different, and many are ... (more...)
A relatively simple probate proceeding available for 'small estates,' as that term is defined by state law. Every state's definition is different, and many are complicated, but a few examples include estates worth up to $100,000 in California; New York estates where property, excluding real estate and amounts that must be set aside for surviving family members, is worth $20,000 or less; and Texas estates where the value of property doesn't exceed what is needed to pay a family allowance and certain creditors.
GENERATION-SKIPPING TRANSFER TAX
A federal tax imposed on money placed in a generation-skipping trust. Currently, there is a $1 million exemption to the GSTT; that is, each person may leave $1 ... (more...)
A federal tax imposed on money placed in a generation-skipping trust. Currently, there is a $1 million exemption to the GSTT; that is, each person may leave $1 million in a generation-skipping trust free of this tax. The GSST is imposed when the middle-generation beneficiaries die and the property is transferred to the third-generation beneficiaries. Every dollar over $1 million is subject to the highest existing estate tax rate--currently 55%--at the time the GSTT tax is applied.
DISINHERIT
To deliberately prevent someone from inheriting something. This is usually done by a provision in a will stating that someone who would ordinarily inherit prope... (more...)
To deliberately prevent someone from inheriting something. This is usually done by a provision in a will stating that someone who would ordinarily inherit property -- a close family member, for example -- should not receive it. In most states, you cannot completely disinherit your spouse; a surviving spouse has the right to claim a portion (usually one-third to one-half) of the deceased spouse's estate. With a few exceptions, however, you can expressly disinherit children.
BEQUEATH
A legal term sometimes used in wills that means 'leave' -- for example, 'I bequeath my garden tools to my brother-in-law, Buster Jenkins.'
STATUTORY SHARE
The portion of a deceased person's estate that a spouse is entitled to claim under state law. The statutory share is usually one-third or one-half of the deceas... (more...)
The portion of a deceased person's estate that a spouse is entitled to claim under state law. The statutory share is usually one-third or one-half of the deceased spouse's property, but in some states the exact amount of the spouse's share depends on whether or not the couple has young children and, in a few states, on how long the couple was married. In most states, if the deceased spouse left a will, the surviving spouse must choose either what the will provides or the statutory share. Sometimes the statutory share is known by its more arcane legal name, dower and curtesy, or as a forced or elective share.
INVESTOR
A person who makes investments. An investor may act either for herself or on behalf of others. A stock broker or mutual fund manager, for instance, makes invest... (more...)
A person who makes investments. An investor may act either for herself or on behalf of others. A stock broker or mutual fund manager, for instance, makes investments for others who have entrusted her with their money.
SAMPLE LEGAL CASES
IOWA SUPREME COURT ATTY. DISCIPLINARY BD. v. Casey
... The Iowa Supreme Court Disciplinary Board alleged the respondent, Marc Casey, violated ethical
rules by neglecting client matters, failing to timely disburse funds, misrepresenting the status
of an estate to the court, prematurely taking probate fees, and failing to cooperate with ...
IOWA SUPREME COURT ATTY. DIS. BD. v. Wagner
... The Iowa Supreme Court Disciplinary Board alleged the respondent, James L. Wagner, violated
ethical rules by neglecting client matters, prematurely taking probate fees, misrepresenting the
status of an estate to the court, failing to deposit unearned fees in his trust account ...
IOWA SUPREME COURT ATTY. DISC. BD. v. Marks
... In this disciplinary action, Samuel Z. Marks neglected two probate estates and failed to cooperate
with the Iowa Supreme Court Attorney Disciplinary Board ("Board"). ... The Board alleged Marks
neglected two probate matters and failed to cooperate with the Board's investigation. ...
FILTER BY:
- Free Consultation
- Male
- Female
- Suspended
PRACTICE AREAS
- Accident & Injury
- Bankruptcy & Debt
- Business
- Civil & Human Rights
- Consumer Rights
- Criminal
- Divorce & Family Law
- Employment
- Environmental Law
- Estate
- -Estate Planning
- -Gift Taxation
- -Trusts
- Wills & Probate
- -Estate Administration
- -Living Wills
- -Wills
- -Power of Attorney
- Government
- Health Care
- Immigration
- Industry Specialties
- Intellectual Property
- International
- Lawsuit & Dispute
- Mass Torts
- Motor Vehicle
- Real Estate
- Tax
- Other