Avoiding Probate Pitfalls Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Alden Probate Attorney
Alden Law is pleased to present the Estate Planning Essentials: Avoiding Probate Pitfalls Scholarship — a $1,000 award designed for students who recognize the importance of estate planning for personal financial security and family stability.
Overview
Estate planning is an important part of financial preparation at any life stage. Proactively arranging how assets will be distributed and who will manage affairs in the event of incapacity helps provide peace of mind and can prevent the delays and expenses commonly associated with probate. This scholarship asks students to examine and explain how estate-planning tools—such as trusts, joint ownership arrangements, and beneficiary designations—can minimize probate-related problems.
Essay assignment
Topic: Estate Planning Essentials: Avoiding Probate Pitfalls
Write a 1,000-word essay that takes an informative and persuasive approach to how estate-planning strategies can be used to avoid common probate issues. Discuss how mechanisms like trusts, joint tenancy, and beneficiary designations can streamline asset transfer, preserve privacy, and potentially lower estate-tax exposure. Support your conclusions with research, statistics, real-world examples, and/or personal reflection. Well-organized, compelling writing that offers practical guidance for a broad audience is encouraged.
Submission requirements
- Award: $1,000
- Essay length: 1,000 words. Essays that do not meet the 1,000-word requirement will not be considered.
- File format: PDF only. Submissions in any other format will not be considered.
- Essay file name: FirstName_LastName_AldenLaw_Scholarship_2026.pdf
Eligibility
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Must be currently enrolled in, or planning to enroll in, an accredited undergraduate, graduate, or community college program in the United States.
- High school applicants must include an acceptance letter from the college or university they plan to attend.
Required application materials (PDFs)
- Resume: FirstName_LastName_Resume.pdf (include contact information)
- Transcript: FirstName_LastName_Transcript.pdf
- Essay: FirstName_LastName_AldenLaw_Scholarship_2026.pdf
- College acceptance letter (if applicable): FirstName_LastName_AcceptanceLetter.pdf
Please follow the naming and format instructions exactly to ensure your submission is considered.