what to ask a lawyer when someone dies

The attorney will need the name and last address of the Decedent. This will give enough information to determine what county Probate Court the case will be filed. Next is a brief summary of the assets the decedent has.

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What questions should you ask an estate attorney after a death?

Here are some critical questions you should ask when you meet with an estate attorney in the wake of a loved one’s death. Is the Previous Power of Attorney Still Valid? You may have had a power of attorney for the loved one who has just died, and you may erroneously believe that the power of attorney is still in force.

What should I do when a loved one dies?

It is important to notify everyone you know when a loved one dies. Not only will they want to attend the memorial service, but they may have an interest in the estate as well. You should also contact an estate attorney about the notification process, including required death notices in the local newspapers and elsewhere.

Can a power of Attorney administer an estate after death?

A power of attorney is no longer valid. Many people believe that, as the power of attorney, they continue to have the power to administer an estate following the death of a loved one. This simply is not the case.

What do I do when I find out someone passed away?

Practical steps you need to take in the early days. Secure certified copies of death certificates. Get 10 copies. You're going to need death certificates to close bank and brokerage accounts, to file ... Find the will and the executor. Meet with a trusts and estates attorney. Contact a CPA. Take the ...

What needs to be handled when someone dies?

To Do Immediately After Someone DiesGet a legal pronouncement of death. ... Tell friends and family. ... Find out about existing funeral and burial plans. ... Make funeral, burial or cremation arrangements. ... Secure the property. ... Provide care for pets. ... Forward mail. ... Notify your family member's employer.More items...•

How do you deal with greedy family members after death?

9 Tips for Dealing with Greedy Family Members After a DeathBe Honest. ... Look for Creative Compromises. ... Take Breaks from Each Other. ... Understand That You Can't Change Anyone. ... Remain Calm in Every Situation. ... Use “I” Statements and Avoid Blame. ... Be Gentle and Empathetic. ... Lay Ground Rules for Working Things Out.More items...•

What happens to a lawyer's files when he died?

What happens to my files if my attorney dies? If your deceased attorney was part of a law firm or law partnership, that firm would maintain custody of your file. If your deceased attorney was a sole practitioner, you will need to obtain new counsel.

What happens to a settlement when a person dies?

The original payee can designate a beneficiary or secondary beneficiaries in the event that they die before all the settlement funds are disbursed. Some tax rules will change, however, depending on a beneficiary's relationship to the deceased party.

How do you divide estates between siblings?

“Give the house, the land or the business to just one child and make up the difference with a monetary share for the others. Alternatively, stipulate that the asset be sold and the proceeds divided evenly. That way, the one who really wants the asset can buy the others out.”

How do you deal with unequal inheritance?

1. Be Honest. If you choose to leave unequal inheritance for your children, one of the best ways to avoid hurt feelings and resentment among your children is to have an open and honest conversation with them about why you made your decision.

Does a lawyer keep a copy of a will?

Yes. The Law Society has published a practice note on file retention of wills and probate. This states: An original will stored by you is the property of the client and after the client's death, it is the property of the estate.

Do you need original copy of will for probate?

If your loved one has left a will and you are named as an executor, you will usually need to submit the original signed will to the Probate Registry to get a Grant of Probate.

What happens if an original will Cannot be found?

If the will cannot be traced last to the custody of the testator then the presumption will not apply so the starting point becomes, subject to contrary evidence, that the personal representatives should put a copy of the lost will to probate.

How do I claim an estate of a deceased person?

The estate of a deceased person must be reported to the Master of the High Court within 14 days of the date of death. Any person that has control or possession of any property or a will of the deceased, can report the death by lodging a completed death notice with the Master.

Who gets money if beneficiary is deceased?

A beneficiary is a person or persons who will receive the death benefit from your life insurance policy when you die. If you die without naming anyone, the money will go to your estate (the sum of all your property, possessions, financial assets and debts) by default.

How do you receive money from a will?

If money is held in the deceased person's name only, then family members usually cannot get access until probate is granted to the personal representative. But if the amount in an account is small, the bank may release it to the personal representative or the next of kin.

1. What is the Probate Policy for British Columbia?

Unless your loved one went through the process of advanced estate planning before their death, the house and estate will have to go through the local probate process before any assets can be spilt up amongst the beneficiaries.

2. What are the Monthly Expenses?

It is important to ask the estate lawyer questions related to the ongoing expenses and upkeep of the property, such as:

3. What Should I Do with the House?

When it comes to inheriting a house, there are three options that you can choose from: 1) keep the house for personal use. 2) rent the house. 3) sell the property.

4. How Much is the House Worth?

No matter what you are planning on doing with the property you have inherited, knowing the value can give you insights into how to best split the property between multiple heirs or if selling is the best option. Consider asking a realtor for a comparative market analysis to find out the estimated market value of the house.

Who should check if a decedent has a copy of his or her name?

The family should check with the decedent’s attorney or accountant to see if they have the original or a copy. The family should also check with the bank where the decedent maintained an account to see if one may be located in a safe deposit box.

What to know after death of loved one?

10 Things to Know After the Death of a Loved One. A power of attorney is no longer valid. Many people believe that, as the power of attorney , they continue to have the power to administer an estate following the death of a loved one. This simply is not the case. A power of attorney is no longer valid after death.

Why do creditors have to hold the assets of the decedent?

Holding the assets of the decedent in an effort to prevent creditors from reclaiming their debt is a risky proposition. Creditors have the right, after enough time passes, to petition the court to open the probate estate themselves.

What happens if there are insufficient assets in an estate?

If there are insufficient assets in the estate to satisfy all the debts or tax obligations of the decedent, those debts and obligations do not become the responsibility of family and friends. Many will assume responsibility, believing it is the right thing to do, but they are not legally required to do so.

Why is it important to protect assets after death?

Assets need to be protected. Following the death of a loved one, there is often a period of chaos. This, coupled with grieving, presents a unique opportunity for those bent on personal benefit. It is important for the family, even before the opening of an estate, to protect all assets that belonged to the decedent.

What is the phone number to call for probate?

If you have questions about the management of your loved one’s estate or the probate process, call us anytime at (888) 694-1761 to get answers.

What to do after losing a loved one?

After losing a loved one, your focus is on your family and on grieving the loss —not administering the estate. But there are many concerns that must be resolved to ensure your loved one’s final wishes are respected while protecting the bonds of your family. Knowing what to do before grief strikes can help you navigate the difficult time ...

How to prove a relative died in Ontario?

If one of your relatives died intestate in Ontario, you may have to prove your relationship to the deceased by showing the estate trustee relevant documents such as a birth or marriage certificate or a sworn affidavit in order to receive your inheritance.

What happens when a person dies without a will?

When a person dies without a will, they die “intestate”. The Ontario Succession Law Reform Act sets out the way that the estate of a person who died intestate will be distributed among their relatives. If the deceased had a spouse but no children, the spouse receives the entire estate.

How much will a spouse receive if a spouse dies in 2021?

If the deceased had a spouse and children and died before March 21, 2021, the spouse receives the first $200,000. If the deceased died on or after March 21, 2021, the spouse receives the first $350,000. These amounts are called the “preferential share”. The remaining balance of the estate is divided among the spouse and children in ...

What happens if a testator makes a gift under a will but other property is not accounted for

Let’s say that the testator made some gifts under a will, but other property was not accounted for. This means that there would be a “partial intestacy”. The intestacy rules previously identified will apply to the remaining property, with an important exception for spouses.

How long does it take to get support from an estate?

Importantly, an application for support must be brought within six months of a Certificate of Appointment being issued to the Estate Trustee. The court has some discretion to provide relief after the six month period if a portion of the estate still exists, however it is preferable to meet the initial deadline.

What happens to an estate when there is no immediate family?

When the person that died does not have any surviving immediate family, the estate is divided equally among the deceased’s nieces and nephews. If there are no surviving nieces and nephews, the estate will be divided equally among the nearest next-of-kin of equal degree.

Why is estate litigation more complicated than divorce?

Estate litigation is even more complicated than divorce because there are more people with an interest at stake. For instance, there could be five different groups, all with their own lawyers. BOOK A CONSULTATION. This is why it’s so important to hire an estate planning lawyer before you die or get sick.

Why do we need a will?

“The reason you need a Will is because you should be the one who designates who takes care of your stuff, and you should designate who should get your stuff. Because otherwise it may go to people who you don’t want to have the stuff.”.

What is an estate?

An estate is just a fancy name for “all your stuff” -- even if it’s not a vintage Bentley and stocks you can trace back the Dutch East India Company. It’s still worth something to someone.

Is a power of attorney necessary?

“It’s extremely important that you establish legal and financial Power Of Attorney,” he explains. “So a surviving spouse or someone else can make decisions for you if you are incapable. Not if you’re dead, mind you. If you are in any way unable to function.”

What to do if someone dies unexpectedly?

The medical team will help you figure out the next steps. If the deceased was receiving hospice care, call the hospice.

What does "deceased" mean in a letter?

The words “deceased” and “decedent” mean “the person who died.” “ Estate” is the property belonging to the person who died.

What is the phone number for King County probate?

By phone: 206-682-9552, ext. 114. Seniors Rights Assistance (a program of Sound Generations): For King County seniors. Call or check online for a list of King County probate lawyers, and other consumer issues for seniors. Email: info@ soundgenerations.org.

How long does it take for a beneficiary to receive money?

It can take two or more months for benefits to arrive, so be sure to start soon.

How long does it take to file a will in Washington state?

In Washington, a valid and signed Will must be filed with the Superior Court, usually in the deceased’s county of residence, within 30 days of the death. This is an extremely important step to complete if there is a Will.

Do you need a copy of a death certificate for a car?

You may also need a certified copy for items such as life insurance policies, veterans’ survivor benefits, and annuities.

What to do if your relative dies at home?

But if your relative died at home, especially if it was unexpected, you'll need to get a medical professional to declare her dead. To do this, call 911 soon after she passes and have her transported to an emergency room where she can be declared dead and moved to a funeral home.

How to get a death certificate if someone dies at home?

But if your relative died at home, especially if it was unexpected, you'll need to get a medical professional to declare her dead. To do this, call 911 soon after she passes and have her transported to an emergency room where she can be declared dead and moved to a funeral home. If your family member died at home under hospice care, a hospice nurse can declare him dead. Without a declaration of death, you can't plan a funeral much less handle the deceased's legal affairs.

What is the probate process?

Laws vary by state, but the probate process usually starts with an inventory of all assets (personal property, bank accounts, house, car, brokerage account, personal property, furniture, jewelry, etc.), which will need to be filed in the court. For the physical items in the household, Harbison suggests hiring an appraiser.

How to close a bank account on behalf of a deceased relative?

Contact customer service and tell the representative that you're closing the account on behalf of a deceased relative. You'll need to provide a copy of the death certificate to do this, too. Keep records of accounts you close, and inform the executor of any outstanding balances on the cards.

What to do if your loved one has a CPA?

If your loved one had a CPA, contact her ; if not, hire one. The estate may have to file a tax return, and a final tax return will need to be filed on the deceased's behalf. “Getting the taxes right is an important part of this,” Harbison says.

How to track down a deceased person?

To track down all those who need to know, go through the deceased's email and phone contacts. Inform coworkers and the members of any social groups or church the person belonged to. Ask the recipients to spread the word by notifying others connected to the deceased. Put a post about the death on social media.

What happens when someone you love dies?

When someone you love dies, the job of handling those personal and legal details may fall to you. It's a stressful, bureaucratic task that can take a year or more to complete, all while you are grieving the loss. The amount of paperwork can take survivors by surprise.

What happens after someone dies?

Updated July 30, 2020. After someone dies, family members will need to locate all of the decedent's important papers. It will give family members and, if necessary, the estate attorney assisting the family with settling the decedent's final affairs , all of the pertinent information needed to complete probate or the trust settlement process .

What documents are needed for a decedent's estate?

If the decedent had an estate plan, then copies or originals of the following documents will be needed: Last Will and Testament and Codicil (s): The original will and codicils will be required because if an original cannot be found, then it is presumed the decedent destroyed them,