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
Most dog-bite disputes are settled through negotiations between the injured person and the dog owner or insurance company, but some proceed to small claims court. Here's how a typical case might unfold.
When a dog hurts someone, its owner might be able to avoid legal responsibility based on the victim’s actions.
Look for more than just legal expertise.
When and how to file an income tax return for an estate.
One of the advantages of using a living trust, instead of a will, to leave the bulk of your property is that it gives your family more privacy.
Even if you think it won't help, it never hurts to try to work something out when dealing with a neighbor's noisy dog.
Probate is a court-supervised legal process that may be required after someone dies.
Make sure your executor or another trusted person can find the passwords and usernames for your digital accounts.
Leave property without probate using payable-on-death accounts, registrations, and deeds.
If your state allows it, consider naming a transfer-on-death (TOD) beneficiary for your vehicles.