Mary Randolph earned her law degree from the Boalt Hall School of Law at the University of California, Berkeley. She is the author of The Executor's Guide: Settling a Loved One's Estate or Trust, 8 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
Access to Online Accounts: Helping Your Executor and Loved Ones
Make sure your executor or another trusted person can find the passwords and usernames for your digital accounts.
Avoiding Probate With Transfer-on-Death Accounts and Registrations
Leave property without probate using payable-on-death accounts, registrations, and deeds.
Naming a TOD Beneficiary for Your Car
If your state allows it, consider naming a transfer-on-death (TOD) beneficiary for your vehicles.
When Can Government Authorities Impound or Destroy People’s Dogs?
Government officials have broad powers to seize and even kill people's pets, so owners should know their rights.
Strict Liability Dog-Bite Laws
Most states in the U.S. make dog owners financially responsible when their animals bite someone, even if the owner wasn’t negligent or didn’t know the dog could be dangerous. But there may be exceptions and conditions.
Tennessee Probate: An Overview
Probate is a court-supervised legal process that may be required after someone dies.
New York Estate Tax
If you leave behind more than $6.58 million, your estate might owe New York estate tax—and watch out for New York's estate tax "cliff."
Veterinary Malpractice
You may sue a veterinarian who hurt your pet through incompetence or carelessness. But pursuing a vet malpractice lawsuit in court is rarely practical.
Washington Estate Tax
If you leave behind more than $2.193 million when you die, your estate might owe Washington estate tax.
Vermont Estate Tax
If you leave behind more than $5 million, your estate might owe Vermont estate tax.