My stepmom and dad passed away 8 months apart they both have wills. My stepmom’s will and dad’s will hasn’t gone through probate yet. Should both will be probated or only the one that passed away second?
Both need to be probated. The good news is that it's often less expensive to probate two wills at the same time. At our probate law office, we call it "piggyback probates"! The reason they both have to be done is because the first spouse's name needs to be removed from title... Read more »
My father in law had a life insurance policy through his job. He had his wife listed as the beneficiary. She passed away last year and he passed away this year. He never changed the beneficiary. The paperwork we received ask for death certificates for both as well as heir information. The life... Read more »
I agree with the previous answer. I would recommend that you consult with a local probate attorney.
The life insurance companies typically don't pay out to the wrong person. They're pretty cautious. So, if they paid it to you, you were probably legally entitled to it. However,... Read more »
My father is the administrator of the estate. As an air do I have the right to see all the documents that have to do with the state and bills being paid
You sure do! First of all, you should receive an inventory of the estate's assets within 90 days from the time your father was appointed. If you didn't get that, make sure your father supplies that to you ASAP. Secondly, 15 months after the time your father officially became the... Read more »
I have a document but I cannot figure out how to paste it here. 5hat is the best I could come up with so y'all could view it
https://photos.app.goo.gl/h3rHvB1Lj8b8Vin99
Unless the amount of the estate is more than about $11.8 million, there will be no estate tax. There is income tax on accounts such as 401Ks and IRAs. Talk with a CPA. Depending on the type of account or asset, there actually be no tax due on your inheritance.
I am one of the beneficiaries on my late deceased mother’s estate. In the period of her death my health has declined I’m in renal failure and had a stroke. The estate was in probate for 3 yrs due to the fact step father protested the will (greed). Now consider this I was on deaths door. My... Read more »
You'll definitely want to get a probate lawyer ASAP. You'll definitely want someone to protect your rights. It sounds like have of the restaurant and home belong to your mother's estate, of which you're a beneficiary. I would get an attorney to help you demand an accounting... Read more »
eldest owes estate 400K. Eldest also lives in fathers home (paid for). Eldest is stalling so they do not have to pay and can live indefinitely in house. do we need a lawyer?
Yes. A person is not officially the executor until the will has been probated by the Probate Court (and the judge officially appoints the executor). You are required to have an attorney with this.
My father has been incredibly untrustworthy and not acted in anyone else's interest since my mom's passing in May 2020. He was in a new relationship via a dating app in less than 2 months and married in less than 9. He wants my siblings and I to sign a waiver to agree that he can do what... Read more »
Definitely would be a good idea to have one, so that you have a professional in your corner to protect your inheritance rights. It shouldn't cost much, because your lawyer would really just be a watchdog unless your father really tries to take advantage. Also, your father can't get an... Read more »
Father died back in 2019 in july verbally naming brother as PR of estate. Wondering if him charging the estate 35 dollars an hour and saying that he has 958 hours of work on the estate is unreasonable or if the judge will see that as unreasonable. He says hes done extraordinary measures the whole... Read more »
You can't verbally appoint a PR prior to death. Your uncle may be acting as if he's the PR, but if he's not appointed by the judge, then he's not really the PR. Any of the heirs could apply to become the actual PR. Also, I agree with Ms. Garrett that the fees that need to be... Read more »
I get 50% of the house but I don't know what else is listed in the trust. Does the will take precedence over the trust or do we go by whatever is in the trust?
You'll definitely want to consult a probate attorney for help with this, particularly one with experience with will contests and estate disputes.
The short answer to your question is that it depends on whether the house was deeded into the trust prior to death. If yes, then the trust... Read more »
I am listed as executor of the estate on the copy of the will they gave my mother gave me but have not filed for probate yet. Am I able to go and take care of the house and keep the bills up to date or do I have to wait for probate to start?
You'll want to get a Collin County Probate Attorney. Since you are listed as the executor, you need to have a probate lawyer help you get the will probated. Once that's done, you are officially the executor. Once you're the executor, you can handle the estate. The good news is... Read more »
Yes, under Texas Law, the executor must show the beneficiaries must receive a notice after the probate hearing. That notice usually contains a copy of the Will. ALSO, once the will is filed for probate, it's actually public record.
If the executor was listed as "joint tenant with right of survivorship," then he/she may be able to legally withdraw those funds and not owe any accounting for the funds. If not, then the executor may have lacked legal authority to withdraw the funds. A good place to start is to find... Read more »
Yes, unless the will was probated as a "muniment of title".
Are those agencies reputable? I'm her only surviving family member, both our parents are deceased. I find nothing noted in our County's surplus listings, nor state listings. How can I verify if there is actual funds? And, do I need to go through the agency who contacted me, or an attorney?
It may or may not be a scam. If it's NOT a scam, it's probably a company that will collect a hefty contingency fee for assisting you. You would be better off with hiring your own probate lawyer.
Father died 7 yrs ago, only found out about it 2 yrs ago due to the back executor trying to filing the will with the county. I was left 10% of the assets, but since the will was never properly probated, am I entitled to an equal share (25%) since there are 4 heirs?
You're mostly correct. The standard period for probate is 4 years. However, if the proponent of the Will can show that he/she is "not in default" for failing to probate the Will within 4 years, then the court can allow the Will to be probated after the 4-year deadline.
So,... Read more »
My grandmother left my uncle to live in her estate until he passes and gave the house to my sisters and I. What are his rights as a life estate tenant and our rights ?
It would be a good idea to have a lawyer look at the document that gives your uncle a life estate. This is because a "life estate" can be tailored several different ways. Some life estates terminate if the life tenant moves out. Others don't terminate until the life tenant dies.... Read more »
My common-law husband died after surgery. He had given me durable POA and I am sole beneficiary of his estate. He had just gotten his inheritance check from the sale of his mother's property but hadn't signed it. I can't probate the will until I get a death certificate but want... Read more »
You don't need to wait on the death certificate to get started with the probate process. Go ahead and contact a probate attorney to get that process started.
You may be allowed by your spouse's bank to deposit the check into his account, but maybe not. It's worth a try! If... Read more »
My daughter is executor of my mothers estate in Texas.
she has failed to provide accounting and also has failed to
distribute the assets to beneficiaries
Our law office has a letter we send that requests an accounting. Under Texas Law, if you don't receive a satisfactory response within the allotted time, then the judge can order that that all of the assets be distributed and/or order that the executor be removed.
My father in law passed away in June 2020. My husband has presented all documentation to the bank within 2 weeks of his dad's passing. However, the bank keeps giving him the runaround. The bank won't provide any information as to any of his dad's accounts or when they will be... Read more »
I can imagine that there could be one of two problems:
First, it could be that the bank requires "letters testamentary" or a "small estate affidavit." These can be required by the bank, and you can only get them by going to probate court. If your father in law had a... Read more »
our names. All the children are grown and out of the house. There was no will. How do I get the properties in my name?
In your questions, you state there was no will. So, you have two options. If you're going to hang on to the properties, the cheaper option is called an "affidavit of heirship." If you want to sell within the next five years or so, it might be better to do the title transfer the... Read more »
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