Sonora, CA asked in Estate Planning for California

Q: What time frame does the fiduciary and his lawyer have to submit their bill to the estate?

Dad died Nov 2018. I was appointed executor Jan 2020. Lawyer for fiduciary had a final accounting hearing Apr 2 2020. How long do I have to wait for the lawyer to send me the final bills for herself and the ficuciary of my dad’s estate?

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2 Lawyer Answers

A: The time you mentioned does not appear unreasonable. Having said that, I would contact the lawyer. I hope this helps. Zaher Fallahi, Esq, CPA (CA &D.C.).

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A: Here is an undeniable fact of life for an attorney: Lawyers get busy and they stay busy. So if you want something to get done with some attorneys, you need to be a pest. A squeaky wheel does get the attention. So I would recommend sending a letter (not just a phone call or email, a real letter) asking for the final bills and ask the attorney "to please respond in ten days." Put that last phrase in the letter. Then in two weeks send the same letter again. Then two weeks later send the same letter a third time. The attorney won't like it, but you are not trying to make friends. If you don't get a response by then I would be surprised.

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