what to do when a probate lawyer refuses to divide land to inheritors

by Juvenal Russel 10 min read

If a beneficiary stops cooperating the attorney for the estate can serve a Petition for Discharge and plan of distribution on the beneficiary and include a final distribution check. After service of such papers, a beneficiary has 30 days to file objections to the plan of distribution and petition for discharge, or their objections are waived.

Full Answer

What to do when there are multiple heirs to a property?

Oct 20, 2021 · Working with a real estate agent that’s experienced in probate and inherited properties will give you the best experience, both in overcoming the legal obstacles and with the home sale at large. Find an Experienced Real Estate Agent with Clever Dividing inherited real estate can be a lengthy, complicated transaction.

How can I avoid probate of my house?

May 25, 2020 · Determine Whether You Have a Case. First, try speaking to the executor about your grievances. The executor may have information that reasonably explains the delay. If that doesn’t work, you may want to look into taking legal action against the executor.

What to do if the executor of an estate does not probate?

Jan 31, 2019 · The executor must file a petition with the probate court and set a court date before he or she is granted the legal authority to access, alter, or administer the estate. This first step can take weeks or months, so it’s important to file the petition and get a court date set as quickly as possible.

Can heirs not agree on what to do with an inherited property?

May 17, 2019 · Option 1: Offer to Buy the Other Person Out. As a probate litigation attorney, I certainly do not shy away from putting up a good fight. However, I always tell my clients to try peace first before going to war. Peace will always be less expensive, and nobody wins in war.

How do you deal with unequal inheritance?

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.

How do you handle inheritance disputes?

Best Ways to Resolve Estate and Trust Disputes
  1. Proper Estate Planning Reduces Family Disputes. ...
  2. Use a Mediator to Solve Disputes. ...
  3. Consider Liquidating Assets. ...
  4. Choose an Independent Fiduciary. ...
  5. Find Fair Ways to Divide Household Items. ...
  6. Talk with an Estate Planning Attorney.
Jun 5, 2020

What is a partial distribution of an estate?

A partial distribution, sometimes called a preliminary distribution, is a distribution of some of the trust assets before the trust administration is complete and the trust assets are fully distributed. A trustee is required to complete trust distributions within a reasonable time.

Can you refuse part of an inheritance?

The answer is yes. The technical term is "disclaiming" it. If you are considering disclaiming an inheritance, you need to understand the effect of your refusal—known as the "disclaimer"—and the procedure you must follow to ensure that it is considered qualified under federal and state law.

How do you deal with greedy family members after death?

9 Tips for Dealing with Greedy Family Members After a Death
  1. Be Honest. ...
  2. Look for Creative Compromises. ...
  3. Take Breaks from Each Other. ...
  4. Understand That You Can't Change Anyone. ...
  5. Remain Calm in Every Situation. ...
  6. Use “I” Statements and Avoid Blame. ...
  7. Be Gentle and Empathetic. ...
  8. Lay Ground Rules for Working Things Out.
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Jan 11, 2021

Can a will be contested after probate?

Can a will be overturned after probate? Yes, if you ultimately succeed in proving that the will is invalid, then a will can be overturned after probate. But contesting a will at this stage is complicated, and you risk incurring expensive legal costs if the court finds in favour of the executors.Feb 1, 2021

Can funds be distributed before probate?

Can An Executor Distribute Money Before Probate? An executor should avoid distributing any cash from the estate before they fully understand the estates total worth and the total value of liabilities. It is highly advised not to distribute any assets to beneficiaries until, at the very least, probate has been granted.Dec 1, 2021

When can a deceased estate be distributed?

As an Executor, you should ideally wait 10 months from the date of the Grant of Probate before distributing the estate. The Grant of Probate is the document obtained from the court which gives the legal authority for you to deal with the estate.

Can an executor withhold money from a beneficiary?

Executors can withhold monies from beneficiaries, though not arbitrarily. Beneficiaries may be unable or unwilling to receive a gift by a will. The executor's job is onerous and the time taken to execute a will may vary greatly.Oct 18, 2021

What happens when someone refuses to accept their inheritance?

If you refuse to accept an inheritance, you will not be responsible for inheritance taxes, but you'll have no say in who receives the assets in your place. The bequest passes either to the contingent beneficiary listed in the will or, if that person died without a will, according to your state's laws of intestacy.May 2, 2022

Can an executor override a beneficiary?

Ways an Executor Cannot Override a Beneficiary

An executor cannot change beneficiaries' inheritances or withhold their inheritances unless the will has expressly granted them the authority to do so. The executor also cannot stray from the terms of the will or their fiduciary duty.
May 12, 2021

Do beneficiaries pay taxes on estate distributions?

While beneficiaries don't owe income tax on money they inherit, if their inheritance includes an individual retirement account (IRA) they will have to take distributions from it over a certain period and, if it is a traditional IRA rather than a Roth, pay income tax on that money.

What to do if executor is not properly administering estate?

If you believe the executor is failing to properly administer the estate (either through improper actions or through inaction), you have two options: petition the court to remove the executor or file a lawsuit against the executor.

How to collect inheritance when executor fails to act?

The executor must do this work in a timely manner and to act in the best interest of the beneficiaries.

Who handles the estate of someone who has died?

The executor of a will handles the estate of someone who has died, including paying the estate's debts and taxes and distributing the assets to the beneficiaries. The executor must do this work in a timely manner and to act in the best interest of the beneficiaries. But what if you're a beneficiary waiting for your inheritance and ...

How long does it take to get an inheritance?

Depending on how complex the estate is, the process can take anywhere from a few months to several years. There is no set time limit. And importantly, the executor can distribute the assets only after the property is evaluated and debts and taxes are paid. So beneficiaries often do not get their inheritances until everything else is wrapped up.

How long can an executor distribute property?

There is no set time limit. And importantly, the executor can distribute the assets only after the property is evaluated and debts and taxes are paid. So beneficiaries often do not get their inheritances until everything else is wrapped up.

Can an executor stall the process?

As much time as it takes. That said, an executor may not stall the process for no reason. Unreasonable delays caused by an executor's actions (or failure to act) may be grounds for removal or possibly a lawsuit to recover damages.

What to do if executor doesn't work?

If that doesn’t work, you may want to look into taking legal action against the executor. To remove someone from the role of executor, you must be able to prove to the probate court that the executor is not living up to the responsibilities of the position or is doing something illegal.

What happens to a house in probate?

Ultimately, what happens to a home in probate varies from state-to-state but generally one of two things will happen: survivors of the estate will inherit the property or the house will need to be sold through probate court.

Can a will be left in an intestate probate?

In an intestate probate scenario, there is no will left to name the beneficiaries. If the house hasn’t been transferred through a living trust, transfer-on-death deed, or joint tenancy law, then it must be conveyed through probate court after the judge names an immediate family member to be the executor of the estate.

Can a house be probated if someone dies?

A house can avoid probate if it’s automatically passed on to survivors via a living trust, joint ownership, community property law, or transfer-on-death deed. If it doesn’t fall into one of these exceptions, the general rule is that if someone dies and owns real estate, any property they own is headed for some kind of probate process —will ...

What is probate in a will?

Probate is a court-supervised legal procedure where beneficiaries legally obtain the financial and physical assets promised to them in a will and clear the debts of an estate.

What is probate without a will?

A will makes probate more straightforward and may even allow the process to be a swift formality. Even without a will, dealing with the house in probate could be as simple as the judge conveying the house to family members per the decedent’s wishes. Other times the personal representative of the estate (also known as the executor) ...

How long does it take to get a probate court date?

The executor must file a petition with the probate court and set a court date before he or she is granted the legal authority to access, alter, or administer the estate. This first step can take weeks or months, so it’s important to file the petition and get a court date set as quickly as possible. Then, per the instructions ...

Can an estate agent be paid from the proceeds of a sale?

Your agent will be paid from the proceeds of the sale, just like in a traditional sale. However, if the estate is upside-down on the mortgage and the proceeds will not satisfy the outstanding loan, you may be presented with a short sale or foreclosure scenario.

Option 1: Offer to Buy the Other Person Out

As a probate litigation attorney, I certainly do not shy away from putting up a good fight. However, I always tell my clients to try peace first before going to war. Peace will always be less expensive, and nobody wins in war. Emotions are generally high during probate (as someone has just died) and now there is fighting amongst siblings.

Option 2 – File a Partition Action (force the sale of the property)

Unfortunately, there is not much you can do if the person will not agree to settle or sell the home. There may be other legal tactics you can do, but generally, if the property must get sold (or you want to sell the home) and the other heirs do not, then a partition action may be your only option.

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Do all 5 siblings have an interest in the property?

All five now have an ownership interest in the property. (When the estate was open, the personal representative had the sole power to sell under the authority of the will.) Any sale of the property will now require the approval of all 5 owners. Unfortunately, the 2 siblings have lost contact with their nieces and nephew.

Do all 5 owners of a property have an interest in the property?

All five now have an ownership interest in the property. (When the estate was open, the personal representative had the sole power to sell under the authority of the will.) Any sale of the property will now require the approval of all 5 owners.

What to do if executor of will has let estate languish?

If the executor named in the will has let the estate languish, you can file an application with the court to become the representative of the estate (executor) and take over the probate. If the executor has been approved by the court you can file a motion to show cause why the estate has not been probated and closed. Report Abuse.

What to do if executor refuses to cooperate?

If the designated executor refuses to cooperate in the administration of the estate, your option is probate court in the county of the residence of the deceased. You can discuss the matter with a probate attorney because one will likely be required. Report Abuse. Report Abuse.

Can an executor of an estate be removed?

An heir in your position likely needs to petition the court to remove the executor of the estate, or to otherwise order an accounting or distribution. This is something you should discuss with a probate attorney, instead of try to do on your own. Indeed, it may be a letter from a lawyer is sufficient to make the executor distribute and close the estate.

Can you probate an estate in Florida?

Any "interested party" can initiate the probate process in Florida. If you believe you have an interest in the estate, then you can start the probate process. You do not have to wait on another person to probate merely because they are the named Personal Representative or you have no will. You will need to hire an attorney to assist you with the appropriate documents for filing.

What do heirs want to do with their property?

Another thing to consider is what the heirs want to do with the property. Some may want to sell while others may want to turn the house into an investment property. If the goal is investment, one heir may choose to buy out the other heirs.

What happens if one heir can't buy out the other?

If one heir can’t buy out the others and still wants to retain the house, the court may decide selling and dividing the profits is the next best option .

Can heirs force the sale of property?

Unfortunately, not all heirs are in agreement about what to do with the inherited property. If you’re in this situation, you may wonder if one or more of the heirs can force the property to be sold. The answer to the question, “Can they force the sale of the property?” is quite complicated. The short answer is “yes, they can.”.

Who owns the property when a mortgage is attached?

The first question to have answered is who owns the property. If a mortgage is attached to it, the mortgage company is technically the owner. Whether you get to keep the property or have to sell it will depend on whether you can assume the mortgage and make the payments or get a new loan to pay off the amount owed.

Can you force a sale of a house if no mortgage is attached?

If no mortgage is attached to the property, you must determine who inherits it. If only one person is heir to the house, other heirs of the estate generally can’t force the sale of the home. If multiple siblings inherit the property jointly, they each have a say in what happens to it. This is assuming, of course, ...

Can you force the sale of a house if only one person is heir to the house?

If only one person is heir to the house, other heirs of the estate generally can’t force the sale of the home. If multiple siblings inherit the property jointly, they each have a say in what happens to it. This is assuming, of course, that each one has an equal share in the property. Sometimes, though not often, ...

What is probate in real estate?

Probate is the legal process of distributing the property of a deceased person. It is often required when someone dies, especially if real estate is involved.

What happens to inherited property when someone dies?

When someone dies, inherited property is not merely handed out in an arbitrary fashion. The distribution of an inheritance must always follow authorized written instructions. If the decedent drafted a will or trust document before his death, those documents provide the authority for an executor or administrator to distribute the estate.

What happens if someone dies without a will?

If someone dies without a will, or "intestate," then the state of the decedent's residence will determine the proper recipients for the possessions of the estate. If you are handed the responsibility of dividing inheritance property between siblings, you must follow the written authority that you are given. Advertisement.

Philip Sean Karle

Because your father passed away without a Will, his estate is to be distributed according to the Florida Intestate procedure. It is not a matter of reaching an agreement on how to divide the assets. The Court will require that distribution is made according to the intestacy rules. More

R. Jason de Groot

Who was appointed as personal representative? Perhaps try to set up a mediation or settlement conference with the attorney for the PR and the beneficiaries.

David Chastain Agee

The Personal Representative is empowered under Florida law to decide upon who gets what, provided the Personal Representative is following Florida Law with respect to distribution.

What happens when an executor withholds an inheritance?

When an executor is withholding an inheritance, not communicating with beneficiaries, or taking too long, it’s easy for beneficiaries to get frustrated. Feelings of helplessness and lack of control can lead to anger and even ruin relationships.

Can the court remove the executor?

The court can also remove the executor or prevent the executor from receiving a fee. Also, remember that you have the right to go to the police if you believe that the executor is stealing or breaking the law in some other way.

What is executor misconduct?

E xecutor misconduct is serious. When an executor is withholding an inheritance, not communicating with beneficiaries, or taking too long, it’s easy for beneficiaries to get frustrated. Feelings of helplessness and lack of control can lead to anger and even ruin relationships. Fortunately, there are things you can do to get executors to act appropriately, although you must understand what the executor is legally required to do and what actually constitutes executor misconduct.

What happens if an estate is insolvent?

Similarly, if an estate is insolvent, meaning the liabilities are more than the assets, the beneficiaries will not receive a distribution. But there have been cases where the executor has delayed distributing the estate for other reasons.

Does the executor have to consult with beneficiaries?

Residuary beneficiaries have the right to know what is going on throughout the probate process. However, the executor isn’ t required to consult with the beneficiar ies or keep them updated every single step of the way. Being an executor can be challenging and sometimes beneficiaries confuse ...

Do residuary beneficiaries have to consult with the beneficiaries?

Residuary beneficiaries have the right to know what is going on throughout the probate process. However, the executor isn’t required to consult with the beneficiaries or keep them updated every single step of the way. Being an executor can be challenging and sometimes beneficiaries confuse communication with the ability to provide input, something they do not have the right to do.

What is the duty of executors of a will?

Executors have a fiduciary duty to the deceased person they are acting for and the beneficiaries of the will. This means they must act in the best interests of these parties. They must keep proper records of all financial transactions and show those records to residual beneficiaries, should they wish to see them.