If you are unsure of whether or not your parents had a will or trust when they died, know what steps you can take to find out. Probate may be necessary.
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What you can legally do and what you should do as a beneficiary are not necessarily the same thing. If you are the only beneficiary than a formal trust administration may not be the best solution.
If your parents have passed away, find out what you can do to transfer the title to their house here. It truly depends on how the title to their house was held at the time that they died.
Whether or not you have to do a probate of your late spouse’s estate will depend on how title to your spouse’s property was held.
Generally, a person’s trust does not have to be filed with the court when they die. This is different than their will which must be lodge with the Superior Court for the county in which they resided at the time they died. Learn more about when a trust has to be filed with the court here.
If the trustee of a family member’s trust won’t give you any information, send a written request to them. The trustee is obligated to provide each beneficiary with information.
Some estates have two individuals serving as co-executors. When co-executors disagree, there are certain potential outcomes for what may happen.
Using a custodian may be an option when there is a minor beneficiary of an estate. View here for more information from a San Diego probate attorney.
Even if your loved one had an estate plan, the bank may still want a copy of the death certificate. There are many valid reasons for this request.
During an estate administration, you may need appraisals for some or all of the estate property. It is important to know when an appraisal is necessary.