Do I Need a Lawyer to File Probate?
If you’ve already determined that there are assets that will need to go through probate court to be transferred, donated, or distributed, your next step will be to decide if you want to hire a lawyer to file probate on your estate’s behalf and/or represent the estate in court on your behalf. If you have […]
How to File for Probate Without a Lawyer
How to File for Probate Without a Lawyer Determine if You Need to Go to Court If you’ve recently been named the executor of an estate, within the first month after your loved one has passed, you will need to determine if your loved one’s estate needs to go through the court administered probate process. […]
What Happens if No Probate is Filed? Don’t Stress, 70% of Estates Don’t File!
First- Determine if You Need to File Probate: Probate Defined: Let’s define probate before we dive into this topic. Probate is the process surviving family members use to submit a will, transfer assets, and close out the remaining personal and financial affairs of their deceased loved one after he/she passes away. For about 30%* of […]
Key Estate Administrator/Executor Duties- 14 Key Tasks & Shortcuts!
Key Executor/Administrator Duties Securing Key Assets: Ensuring care and protection of the family and assets of your deceased loved one is always the top priority after a death. Sending Critical Notifications: This first round of notifications should not be about collecting information or providing detailed explanations about the death of your loved one. These notifications […]
How to Apply for an Estate Tax ID/EIN
Why is an Estate Employer Identification Number (EIN) Necessary? If you are the trustee or a court appointed executor/administrator, it is recommended that you open a bank account in the name of the estate. Opening an estate checking account is not a requirement but it may help with keeping track of cashflow such as deposits, […]
Social Security Benefits After a Death- Top 3 Time-Sensitive To-Dos!
We understand that losing a loved one is not only devastating emotionally but can also cause undue financial stress. The Social Security Administration (SSA) often provides Social Security (SS) benefits for spouses, children, and other survivors based on earnings. The following 3 tasks are time sensitive actions that include details about how to notify the […]
How Do I Know If I Need to File Probate?- The Will Doesn’t Matter!
The Will is NOT the Determining Factor: Contrary to popular belief, having a will does not have any effect on whether or not you must have a court administered process of transferring assets (i.e. Court Probate). Having a will mainly impacts the type of documents you need to file in court and in some circumstances, […]
What Does the Typical Probate Process Look Like?
The Typical Probate Process Described 10 Steps: The typical probate process is comprised of 10 key steps: Secure key assets (home, vehicle, etc.) and send critical notifications (landlords, lessors, employers, in-home care agencies, etc.)* Gather important papers, run credit check, collect/forward mail Identify, cancel, or claim benefits/ services and outstanding debts owed (Veterans benefits, Social […]
Writing a Death Notice or Obituary
Death Notice, Obituary and Creditor Notifications- An Overview First off, it is important to note that an obituary or death notice is not the same as a creditor notification. While the death notice can serve as a notice to friends and family, the way in which a creditor notice must be written is often very […]
Funeral Planning Tips and Checklists
Funeral Planning Tips Consider contacting your loved one’s local pastor, rabbi, or priest to discuss opportunities for holding the funeral at the related house of worship, requesting his or her involvement in the service, and whether her or she has any recommended funeral homes. Often the house of worship has free resources that can help […]
