An article was recently released in the United Kingdom talking about a growing problem of scammers targeting Wills to get vital personal information they can exploit for gain. Many individuals, in an attempt to help their loved ones, have chosen to provide access information for banking and Paypal accounts, as well as email and social media accounts in their Will. Perhaps these individuals did not realize that a Will is available to the public after the individual has died and the estate has gone to the probate court. These documents become public record and anyone is able to access them.
Unfortunately, there are unscrupulous people out there who have targeted Wills to get such information and have then proceeded to steal funds and to exploit family members listed within the Will. While this article was published in the United Kingdom, it occurs here in the United States as well.
While it is important to leave account information for your beneficiaries, make sure it is in a living trust which retains your privacy and cannot be accessed by the public. This will ensure your funds remain safe and accessible for your beneficiaries while keeping your assets safe from scammers.
About Morris Hall:
At Morris Hall, we have focused our legal practice on estate planning for over 40 years. Along with estate planning, our attorneys help clients and their families with matters of probate, trust administration, wills, powers of attorney, business planning, succession planning, legacy planning, charitable gifting and other important legal aspects. We also have divisions in financial, real estate and accounting to help you incorporate all of your planning together, ensuring that everything works perfectly for your needs and situation. Our Arizona offices are located in Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, Tucson, Prescott, Flagstaff and Arrowhead. Contact us today at 888.222.1328 to schedule an appointment!
This blog should be used for informational purposes only. It does not create an attorney-client relationship with any reader and should not be construed as legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney in your community who can assess the specifics of your situation.
This blog should be used for informational purposes only. It does not create an attorney-client relationship with any reader and should not be construed as legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney in your community who can assess the specifics of your situation.
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