Estate Planning

Using Certiorari Bonds in the Legal Appeals Process 1000 667 Patrick J. Thomas Agency

Using Certiorari Bonds in the Legal Appeals Process

The legal process doesn’t always end with a trial verdict. When a party believes that a lower court made a legal error, they may pursue an appeal to a higher court. In some cases, this process involves filing a writ of certiorari, a formal request asking an appellate court to…

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Understanding Probate Bond Duration and Renewals 1000 667 Patrick J. Thomas Agency

Understanding Probate Bond Duration and Renewals

When you’re appointed as a personal representative, executor, or administrator of an estate, one of your first responsibilities may include securing a probate bond. This type of surety bond ensures that you’ll carry out your fiduciary duties in accordance with the law and protects the estate’s beneficiaries from financial harm. …

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Avoiding Common Pitfalls of Surety Bonds: Best Practices for Estate Bond Compliance 1024 683 Patrick J. Thomas Agency

Avoiding Common Pitfalls of Surety Bonds: Best Practices for Estate Bond Compliance

Estate bonds, also known as fiduciary bonds or probate bonds, are often necessary when it comes to managing an estate while serving as an executor or administrator. However, if you’re unfamiliar with surety bonds, it’s easy to make mistakes that can delay the process or even cause legal complications. Understanding…

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How Probate Bonds Help Avoid Estate Administration Delays 1000 667 Patrick J. Thomas Agency

How Probate Bonds Help Avoid Estate Administration Delays

Whether you’re a family member named in a will or an attorney guiding your client through the estate process, the goal is usually the same: to ensure a smooth, timely distribution of assets with as little conflict and delay as possible.  If a court requires a fiduciary to post a…

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Should You Use a Personal Representative? Estate Planning, Bonds, and More 1000 667 Patrick J. Thomas Agency

Should You Use a Personal Representative? Estate Planning, Bonds, and More

Planning for the future is never easy, but ensuring your estate is handled properly is one of the most important decisions you can make for your loved ones. When preparing a will, you’ll need to designate someone to manage your estate after you pass away. This person is known as…

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calculating investments for beneficiaries
Why Do Surety Companies Examine Credit Scores for Probate Bonds? 1024 603 Patrick J. Thomas Agency

Why Do Surety Companies Examine Credit Scores for Probate Bonds?

When someone is appointed as an executor, guardian, trustee, or administrator of an estate, they take on a significant financial and legal responsibility. Managing someone else’s assets (whether distributing an inheritance, overseeing financial affairs, or ensuring proper care for a minor or incapacitated adult) requires accountability, integrity, and adherence to…

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Everything You Need to Know About Creating a Living Trust 1024 682 Patrick J. Thomas Agency

Everything You Need to Know About Creating a Living Trust

Navigating the world of estate planning can be complex, but understanding the concept of a living trust is essential for anyone looking to manage their assets effectively. Creating a living trust can inevitably become a major part of planning your estate, but it’s not always the best path to take.…

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The Basics of VA Representative Payees and Their Duties 1024 678 Patrick J. Thomas Agency

The Basics of VA Representative Payees and Their Duties

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides various benefits and services to eligible veterans and their dependents. These benefits are distributed to beneficiaries for several reasons, primarily to support and enhance the well-being of individuals who have served in the United States military. When these funds cannot be managed by…

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The Difference Between Trusts and Conservatorships in Estate Planning 1024 682 Patrick J. Thomas Agency

The Difference Between Trusts and Conservatorships in Estate Planning

Trusts and conservatorships are both versatile tools in estate planning. Both have their uses, depending on your circumstances, and both can be used in conjunction with one another, or as alternatives to each other. Which is right for your situation (or that of someone you know)? It helps to understand…

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5 Specific Use Trusts for Estate Planning 1024 682 Patrick J. Thomas Agency

5 Specific Use Trusts for Estate Planning

Trusts manage the distribution of your assets after death. They are generally controlled by a trustee—a person selected by you to hold the property and manage it for your beneficiaries.  There are many types of trusts you can set up, some of the most notable and commonly used being revocable…

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