Q: Should I only have to pay 5% of the bills?
I am involved in a difficult situation with my grandmothers will. She died almost 4 years ago and the will has not been done. Her house is still full of possessions and there’s no end in sight of cleaning it out. I am written in for 5% of her belongings. My aunt has spent all of the remaining money that we had to pay bills on who knows what.. she is now requesting that we split the bills 5 ways evenly. I feel that I should only be responsible for 5% of the bills.
A: You need to discuss this with a lawyer. Your question suggests either the will has not been filed with the Court and an estate opened or the estate has been opened but not properly and timely administered. Who was appointed as the Executor of the will/estate? Does the will waive an inventory and accounting of the estate? If your aunt was appointed as the Executor, what has she been paying from the estate assets? You should not be forced to pay any portion of the bills. There are many other issues that need to be examined.
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