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
Splitting an AB (Bypass) Trust
After one spouse's death, an AB trust needs to turn into an A trust and a B trust--and making that happen is the trustee's job.
A Surviving Spouse's Right to Inherit Retirement Accounts
Even a husband or wife who wasn't named as the beneficiary of a retirement account may have the legal right to claim the money.
Inheriting Retirement Accounts: Legal Overview
Tax-advantaged retirement accounts are subject to different rules than are other inherited assets. Here are the basics.
Inheriting an IRA or 401(k) Account as a Surviving Spouse
Spouses get more options than other beneficiaries, and may be able to put off taxes on retirement account funds for longer.
"Portability" of Federal Estate Tax Exemptions
Married couples can get a big tax break if they own enough to be concerned about federal estate tax.
What Tax Returns Must The Executor File?
An overview of all the tax returns the executor might need to file on behalf of the deceased person or the estate.
Capital Gains Tax on Inherited Assets
Will you owe capital gains tax when you sell assets you've inherited? It depends.
What is a Bypass Trust?
Bypass trusts are used by wealthy couples to avoid paying the federal estate tax.
Steps in the Probate Process: An Overview
Here's a roadmap of the common steps involved in the probate process.
Will Probate Be Necessary?
Executors might be pleasantly surprised to find that they won't need to conduct a whole probate court proceeding.