Mary Randolph

J.D. · UC Berkeley School of Law

Mary Randolph earned her law degree from the UC Berkeley School of Law. She is the author of The Executor's Guide: Settling a Loved One's Estate or Trust8 Ways to Avoid Probate, and other books about law for nonlawyers. She has been a guest on The Today Show and has been interviewed by many publications, including the Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, and more.


Articles By Mary Randolph

Texas Probate: An Overview
Thanks to independent administration of estates and small estate procedures, Texas has simple and efficient probate.
12 Simple Steps to an Estate Plan
Take care of your family by making a will, power of attorney, living will, funeral arrangements, and more.
How the Probate Process Works: Information for Executors
Probate is the court-supervised process of gathering a deceased person's assets and distributing them to creditors and inheritors.
Living Probate: Validating Your Will While You’re Still Alive
Worried about challenges to your will after your death? Depending on where you live, you may be able to ask a court to rule, in a “living probate” proceeding, that your will is valid now, while y
Nebraska Inheritance Tax
A surviving spouse is exempt from Nebraska inheritance tax, but other inheritors might have to pay.
New Jersey Inheritance Tax
Close family members are exempt from New Jersey inheritance tax, but other inheritors might have to pay.
How an Estate Is Settled If There's No Will: Intestate Succession
State laws control who inherits property if no will exists. Learn the general guidelines.
Estate Planning When You’re Concerned About Dementia
If you’re concerned that you or a loved one is developing dementia, consider creating a power of attorney, health care directives, and other estate planning documents.
Kentucky Inheritance Tax
Kentucky, like other states, exempts close family members from inheritance tax; others will likely have to pay.
Tax Deductions for Charitable Contributions
You can deduct charitable contributions from your taxable income—if you follow IRS rules about documenting your gifts.