Losing a spouse is a heartbreaking experience. This episode offers compassionate legal guidance for those who are recently widowed.

In this episode, you will learn:

• How to take care of yourself emotionally during this difficult time.
• What immediate legal steps to take after your spouse's death.
• The importance of estate planning to avoid probate.
• Different options for avoiding probate, such as revocable living trusts and beneficiary deeds.
• The potential drawbacks of joint ownership of property.
• What happens if your spouse dies without a will.

Key points:

• Take time to grieve. Don't rush into legal decisions.
• If you have a revocable living trust, your assets likely avoid probate.
• Jointly owned property passes to the surviving owner but may be accessible to creditors or future spouses.
• Wills require probate but can specify how assets are distributed.
• If your spouse dies without a will, state law dictates asset distribution.

Call to Action:

• Contact The Wheelan Law Firm for a consultation if you have questions.
• Share this episode with anyone going through the loss of a spouse.
• Subscribe for more legal advice and guidance.

Quotes:

"There are very few things in the legal world that are emergencies. Take time to get your bearings. Take time to manage the funeral arrangements and take time to grieve with your family and celebrate the life of your spouse..." (Sidney Wheelan)

"Revocable living trusts are one of the most important and comprehensive estate planning tools in our toolchest today, and they have many advantages." (Sidney Wheelan)

"The sooner you and your spouse prepare for the inevitable death of the first spouse, the more prepared you and your loved ones will be and there will be less stress for you as the surviving spouse during a very stressful and sometimes very lonely time." (Sidney Wheelan)

Contact Information:

• Please feel free to Contact Us to learn how we can help.

WheelanLaw.com

This podcast episode contains general information for discussion purposes only. Each case is different and must be judged on its own merits. Missouri rules generally prohibit lawyers from advertising that they specialize in particular areas of the law.  This article should not be construed to suggest such specialization. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation.  This information is not intended to create an attorney-client relationship, and the listening or viewing of this podcast does not constitute an attorney-client relationship.  The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.