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
Naming a Non-Spouse Beneficiary for Retirement Accounts
Here are some considerations when naming someone besides a spouse as a beneficiary to your qualified plan or IRA.
Naming Your Spouse to Inherit Retirement Accounts
Leaving your IRA to your spouse is usually a good choice, for several reasons.
North Carolina Estate Tax: Repealed for 2013 and Beyond
If you are a North Carolina resident fortunate enough to leave a very large estate, it may owe federal estate tax -- but North Carolina won't levy its own tax.
Using QDOTs to Plan for Noncitizen Spouses
This kind of trust can defer estate taxes for wealthy couples.
Tennessee Probate: An Overview
Probate is a court-supervised legal process that may be required after someone dies.
Pennsylvania Probate: An Overview
If you need to shepherd an estate through probate in Pennsylvania, you'll probably get good help from the local court, including downloadable court forms.
North Carolina Probate: An Overview
Probate is a court-supervised legal process that gives someone, usually the surviving spouse or other close family member, authority to gather the deceased person’s assets, pay debts and taxes, a
New Jersey Probate: An Overview
The basics of wrapping up an estate in New Jersey.
Indiana Probate: An Overview
Conducting a probate in Indiana commonly takes six months to a year, depending on the situation.
Georgia Probate: An Overview
Probate is a court-supervised legal process that may be required after someone dies.