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,... View More

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.... View 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... View More

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.

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... View More

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... View More

I agree with Ms. Garrett. Your grandmother could sign a deed, which would transfer the house to you. A "Ladybird" deed is often recommended in your grandmother's situation. Also, if she doesn't already have a will, she should have a will. In her will, she can leave the house... View More

It depends on the deed. Did the deed say they were "joint tenants with rights of survivorship"? If yes, then second-person-to-die's estate owns all of the property. If not, then each half would go to the respective persons' heirs (or will beneficiaries, if they have wills).

This is called "probate with will annexed." You can still have an administrator appointed, but you'll need an attorney if you want an administrator. If you don't want or need an administrator, then you can do a "probate as muniment of title only." With muniment of... View More

Yes, you can. You also should establish a trust in your will for your daughter. You need to do this so that your daughter doesn't lose her governmental benefits... We don't charge anything extra for adding this type of trust into our clients' wills.

You should definitely do something. You'll want to get an attorney that does guardianship and also estates law.

If he allegedly gave the wife the house with a deed, then you will need to do something now. If he allegedly gives her the house in the will, then you may have to wait... View More

You are required to have an attorney to probate the will and to become the executor. Your probate attorney should be able to easily help you with this. The probate attorney will probably advise you to send the criminal attorney a "permissive creditor notice." Then, even if the criminal... View More

No, not if you were "joint tenants with right of survivorship" on the account. You can ask the bank, and they should tell you. If you're not, then the account probably belongs to the Estate.

YES! You should have at least a basic will. In all wills we prepare at our law office, we put in a little clause about marital status. This one sentence could save your heirs lots of expense and hassle. You should also consider a cohabitation agreement. Also, I notice you're in PA.... View More

I agree with the prior answers. The short answer to your question is "YES," you can do this without estate tax. However, it wouldn't be automatic. You definitely need an estate planning attorney in your area to get this drawn up correctly. Doing so could literally save millions of dollars.

Sounds like everything is ready to be distributed now. In cases like these, I think it's important to move quickly to protect your inheritance rights. There are deadlines for probating wills. Probate is the process of validating the will by a judge. This must be done for title purposes.... View More

If you do find a will, you have 4 years to probate. If there's no will, then you will need to go to probate court to get an "administrator" appointed by the judge. The administrator will have the power to sell the home. The cost of going to court can be reimbursed from the sale of... View More

If you contact a probate attorney in your area, he/she can email the local law firms to see if anyone had your mother's file. If not, then you can operate as if there's no trust document. This would mean that your mother's heirs inherit the trust assets. Assuming she wasn't... View More

Definitely maybe. If he had no will, had more than $75,000, and owed less than $75,000 in creditor claims, then you could probably use a "Small Estate Affidavit." If he had a will, that's the way to go. If he had no will but he has more than $75,000, then you will do a... View More

Yes, there are. However, the legal ramifications are not insurmountable.

So, the typical deadline for probating a will in Texas is four years. However, you can probate the will as a "muniment of title" beyond the four-year deadline. Depending on your local probate court,... View More