The executor is supposed to sell the house at fair market value to maximize its value to the estate. The executor can sell the house to anyone for that price, or at a lower price if all the heirs who are to receive a share agree. You do not say how many heirs the house is to be divided among.... View More

The Maryland Uniform Transfer on Death Security Registration Act only applies to securities that have been registered with a beneficiary form that specifies a TOD beneficiary. While it may be possible to register a TOD beneficiary for an ownership interest in an LLC, it is not automatic. Most... View More

The person appointed as personal representative or executor under the Will needs to make written demand to the lawyer to either file the Will with the Register of Wills or turn it over to the Personal Representative do they can file it. Give a reasonable deadline, after which the Personal... View More

Yes, it is possible to assign your interest, but it will be treated as a gift from you to the other person. You should be careful not to "disclaim" your inheritance, as that would prevent your ability to direct the inheritance to anyone (the disclaimed inheritance would go to the next... View More

You can always decline an estate, but there may be much better ways to put property in the hands of your step-sister to avoid significant taxes. I assume your step-sister is from a union of your father with another mother, because if she is your mother’s daughter and your mother died intestate,... View More

My previous answer should be sufficient, but if you are being bullied or threatened with some legal consequence if you do not do as you are being told, then you should consult a lawyer to go over in more detail exactly what the circumstances are that give rise to your concerns. The surviving owner... View More

No. A joint owner with rights of survivorship is vested with sole ownership upon death of the other owner. The funds in the account are not assets of the deceased joint owner’s estate.

Yes, Y is a creditor of the estate and may file a claim for funeral expenses paid. Y should submit a formal claim together with the invoices/receits showing the amounts incurred. If the Personal Representatve fails to pay or denies all or part of the claim, Y can petition to court to order the PR... View More

Yes. Make a lower offer. If refused, when the house is put up for sale, bid on on it like anyone else. You may end up being the higher bidder, but don’t bid more than you think it’s worth.

The personal representative of a estate is give certain authorities in the will. It is common for the PR to have authority to enter into contract and collect rents on property in the estate for the benefit of the estate. If you are not on the deed and are not the PR your rights have not fully... View More

Who is the personal representative of your mother's estate?

Heirs to an estate can, by mutual agreement, settle property distributions under the Will, even if the settlement changes what each heir is supposed to receive under the Will. A lawyer can help you work this out. It is not difficult.

"Exclusive" in this context means exclusive of the owner's and other third parties' (unrelated to the squatter) possession or occupation, without permission of the owner (the owner is not in possession, and has not permitted or agreed to the presence of the squatters). The time... View More

Course of action: petition to remove PR and appoint someone else (yourself?) and to possibly sue the PR for waste and mismanagement to recover the money you claim was lost. Hiring a lawyer to file and pursue these things will cost you money, and although you might claim reimbursement from the... View More

The laws in the State of South Carolina where you reside will govern your spousal rights to the estate of your deceased spouse, even as to property located in Maryland. If he dies without a will, the MD property will be distributed in accordance with the intestate laws of SC, and in most states, a... View More

It is not uncommon for a grantor of a trust to make the age of distribution 35 years of age. They may be concerned about the reckless and inexperienced money management of youth or of particular beneficiaries, and want to ensure that their wealth transfer to their beneficiaries will be made after... View More

It’s been a pretty hot market this past year around here, so you’re going to want to get a fair appraisal done to at least know what the house is likely able to sell for. I think what you’re saying is that the house was already deeded by the estate to the three of you, so now you all own 1/3.... View More

The first question I’d want answered is, what is in the name of the trust? If he owned anything in his personal name, then those assets do not pass in accordance with his trust, but by intestate succession, so that would mean divide six ways. Only those assets titled in the name of the trust are... View More

Managing a decedent's estate is not like following a recipe to bake a cake. If you are not going to hire an estate lawyer, then you need to download and read all the brochures on estate administration available on the Register of Wills website, as well as make appointments with the ROW to... View More

No. The bank balance is the dollar value, obviously. An appraisal is for real estate or valuable items of personal property such as cars, boats, high end jewelry, expensive artwork, etc.