do i need an estate lawyer for my inheritance?
368277
depends. probate lawer will make sure all deceased bills are paid. is there a will? other benefactors? not enough info to answer.
15872
Most people are required to enlist the aid of a financial advisor.  This is a very good thing as it allows you to invest the money, instead of letting it sit in your bank account.\n\nIf this is court awared inheritance, then the court will most likely require a financial advisor.\n\nAside from the investing, what the person whants to do with the money is up to them. There really isn't any other steps to worry about.\n\nYou don't need to tell the government, you don't need to include it on your taxes unless you want to, and frankly, other than investing, there isn't much more for you to do, aside from get the check, cash it, invest it, and live.\n\nDon't go overboard, and spend all the money at one time, mind you.  Spend well, and leverage your money the best you can.
181563
I'm not sure if I understand your question right, but I think you are asking if your estate could be attached by your former family if you die.\n\nDon't let this answer replace proper legal advice, but I believe no. For one thing, inheritance only applies when you're dead. Do your best to outlive your ex-spouse.\n\nProbably the best way to assure division of your estate after death is a properly written will. Even legitimate bloodline heirs can have shares adjusted by you and you can add in any person or institution that you want.\n\nMy will reads "Being of sound mind and will, I spent it all."\n\nJust as important as the inheritance you leave will be the legacy. Your children will observe and possibly adopt attitudes that you display. Today you can choose whether the legacy you leave is of patience, tolerance, kindliness and love or else of fear, defensiveness, intolerance and control.
275258
You can probably find an estate planning lawyer who will give a free 30-minute consultation.  I know you only want a will to name a guardian for your children, but a qualified lawyer can discuss other things with you like a durable power of attorney for health care.  Remember Terri Schiavo?  Laws like to address those issues at the same time.\n\nFor a quality will, you might pay up to $300.  You might pay more and you might pay less, so shop around just like you would for any other service.  Ask friends for recommendations or call the lawyer referral service of your local county bar association.
743670
Depends on the state. Call around to a few Estate lawyers, also a Financial advisor. Also, places like Smith Barney (where my $ is) have all this in house and can help the minor plan for college, living expenses, ect. as well as in house lawyers that won't gouge them. Good luck!
164635
If your mother had substantial assets, contact the lawyer who wrote her will.
512083
Go to the site below and click on the state the inheritance would be in and see if you have anything.  It is worth a try.
1171785
You title as executrix is not a power of attorney to do what you please.  You also have a fiduciary duty to the other heirs.  You cannot sign without their permission.  If you can't get it or they won't then you need to file a court action for dissolution of the property. Which is going to cost the estate even more money since you do have a right to utilizes those funds for that purpose.
1095422
It depends on the type of inheritance you are receiving personal, corporate, trust, etc.\nYou also didn't state where your bank account is (U.S or Canada).\nTalk to an expert in inheritance laws, before you do anything you may regret later.\nGood luck to you!!
418187
Find a lawyer who knows the estate rules in your state and who will not be too expensive. If you call an office in a fancy high-rise office building that takes up 3 floors, you're not going to find one. Look for a lawyer who doesn't spend a lot of money on his office or on big ads in the Yellow Pages. Look for more than one. Or call the local lawyer referral service (in the Yellow Pages) and ask them for an inexpensive lawyer who does wills. They can usually refer you to 2 or 3 and you can decide which one you want to use.\n\nIf you have no children from a previous marriage or relationship, no real estate, and no specific items you want to go to certain persons, or to be put in trust for underage children, you can try one of the will form kits available online or at places like Staples or Borders. I don't recommend them because they don't know your particular situation or the law in your state. You want to wear "one size fits all," go ahead. If it doesn't look good, well, you can always buy another one!
528090
I LIVE IN CHICAGO, WE ARE GOING THROUGH THIS RIGHT NOW! ON ME AND MY HUSBANDS INHERITANCE, HIS GRANDMOTHER LEFT A WILL TO SPLIT THE MONEY BETWEEN 5 PEOPLE, YOU DON'T WANT IT TO GO TO PROBATE CAUSE IT CAN BE HELD IN COURTS FOR YEARS AND YOU PAY THE LAWYER LOTS OF MONEY! THE LAWYER JUST WANTS TO MAKE MONEY FROM YOU!  THERE ARE ONLINE WEBSITE YOU SHOULD SCAN FOR YOU CITY!  BUT IN CHICAGO PROBATE IS NOTHING WE WOULD WANT TO DO, WE ARE DOING A LIVING TRUST THAT WAY NO ONE CAN CLAIM ANYTHING AND IT WON'T GO TO PROBATE WHICH IS COURT WHERE A JUDGE DECIDES WHO THE PROPERTY SHOULD GO TO AND THE JUDGE WILL MAKE THAT DECISION, WE DON'T WANT THAT, SO CHECK YOU STATE OUT ,GO TO WEBSITES AND GET INFORMATION BEFORE YOU SIGN ANY LEGAL DOCUMENTS,LAWYERS JUST WANT MONEY!!
177462
you most certainly want to receive the house after death. you get a stepped up tax basis. you should have your parents set up a living trust to avoid probate.\n\nsee an estate planning attorney.. the tax savings can be very LARGE>
480483
was the property left to that sibling in the will?  You really need a lawyer for such a thing, it gets complicated.
379066
http://www.legaldocs.com/misc-s.htm\n\nI am no lawyer, but I think you can make your demand in a well written letter.\n\nWrite to him:\n\nDEMANDD FOR COMPLETE ACCOUNTING OF TRUSTEE _____________ FOR THE YEARS ______ AND _______.\n\nTHIS IS A DEMAN FOR A FULL AND DOCUMENTED ACCOUNTING OF ALL FUNDS SAID TRUST, ______________(hereafter to be called Trust in this demand).  This is to include out expenses of all types for running said TRUST, lawyer fees for running Trust.  This is to include all accounting of fund presently in trustees and any distributions there of.\n\nYou are given 10 days for date of this demand to comply.\n\nSomething to that effect.  \n\nHave the document signed and witnessed and if necessary go to your bank where notaries are free and get them to notarize that that is your signature.  Send you document by registered signed receipt mail.  \n\nMake a formal complainant to the State of Ill. Bar  Association.  The BBB.  And if your brothers and or sisters or whom ever else are in this trust have them copied.  \n\nThey may want to help.\n\nIf this is your trust only.  Get on it quick.  My father left my mother an Estate, her lawyer robbed her blind and left her with no funds. \n\nAgain, I am no lawyer, but you must make your demand in writing as the lawyer can say you never asked for it.  I think you might have a Free Legal Service there also....contact them today!!! \n\nGood luck.
495094
Wills don't have to be probated.  But until they are, there is no legal force behind them.  The court decides when it has been properly executed, that it hasn't been revoked, and that the person who wrote the will was the person who died.  If the will isn't probated, then you better be sure that there are NO disputes, because anyone can come out of the woodwork and say "um, that mobile home was actually supposed to go to me."  Not that this claim would win, but probating the will would help protect against these types of claims.\n\nThe reason you're selling off the property and dividing the proceeds is because cash is easier to split than personalty (personalty being personal property).  The titles to this property are irrelevant because as soon as your mother died, they were transfered to her estate and you and your sister are the beneficiaries to that estate.  So no, this is not why the will had to be probated.\n\nThe lawyer who administers the estate on your behalf has a right to charge however much he wants to.  It's your duty to ensure that this is not overly burdensome.  But if you signed a contract saying that he would get 5% of the estate, then it's more than likely too late for you to back out of that.  I personally don't believe that 5% is outrageous when it comes to working with the courts to make sure that everything is handled properly.  Just make sure he's keeping his side of the bargain by informing you when you have to file returns, what taxes (if any) are supposed to be paid, and when the probate process is going to be over.
96802
Every state has laws that govern how property is divided when someone dies without a will.  In most states, dad would get the house completely.  You really should check with a probate/estate planning attorney in your state.
148965
if your grandmother dies intestate ( without a will) and does not have a living spouse, your father and any other living siblings will automatically inherit her money. While there may be estate and probate fees, I can not imageine that it would be half of her estate.\nThe other potential issue might be medicare if medicare is currently paying for her care. The law requires her to use her own funds first although there are some exemptions. This is typically reduced by gifting money to family, but there are time frames that must be respected. The issue could be that if these gifts are not already made or loans documented, that given her current condition, she no longer has the legal capacity to do so. If beyond co-signing her account you father has a broader "power of attorney", this would help. \nIn order for your father to understand all the issues, he will need to consult with an estate attorney or an attorney that specializes in Elder Law