what kind of attorney do i need if a family member dies without a will

by Cristopher Collins 4 min read

When a person dies without a Will, the property of the deceased is distributed according to a formula that is fixed by state law. The problem is that you might not like the formula created in this "intestacy law". I would recommend you speak to an elder law attorney in your area to review your own will before it is too late.

Full Answer

What should I do if someone dies without a will?

To inherit under intestate succession laws, an heir may have to live a certain amount of time longer than the deceased person. In many states, the required period is 120 hours, or five days. In some states, however, an heir need only outlive the deceased person by any period of time -- theoretically, one second would do.

Is it possible to handle an estate without a lawyer?

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 A power of attorney is no longer valid.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 A power of attorney is no longer valid after death.

Do I need an attorney to probate a will?

The grieving process is difficult enough, but there will also be a funeral to plan, relatives to notify and financial issues to handle. Meeting with an estate attorney as soon as possible can ease your burden and make a difficult time easier to bear. Call Arizona Estate Attorney Dave Weed at (480)467-4325 to discuss your case today.

Do I have to file for probate when someone dies?

Jul 08, 2021 · When a person dies without a will, that person is called an “intestate” and is said to have “died intestate.” In those situations, the decedent’s family members may have a legal right to claim an interest in the decedent’s estate, depending on their relationship to the decedent in relation to other potential claimants.

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Who is the next of kin when someone dies without a will?

Parents, brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews of the intestate person may inherit under the rules of intestacy. This will depend on a number of circumstances: whether there is a surviving married or civil partner. whether there are children, grandchildren or great grandchildren.

How do you settle an estate without a will?

If you are the administrator of an intestate estate (an estate without a will) or an executor of the estate (an estate with a will), you can settle the estate yourself by following the probate code (if no will) or decedent's directives contained in will (if there is a will), while going through the probate process as ...

What happens to the property of a deceased person without a will?

In case a male dies intestate, i.e. without making a will, his assets shall be distributed according to the Hindu Succession Act and the property is transferred to the legal heirs of the deceased. The legal heirs are further classified into two classes- class I and class II.

Who administers an estate without a will?

If someone dies without leaving a will, then the person responsible for dealing with their property and possessions is called the administrator of the estate. Inheritance laws determine which relatives can apply to be the administrator, starting with the spouse or civil partner of the person who died.

What does intestate mean?

Intestate refers to dying without a legal will. When a person dies in intestacy, determining the distribution of the deceased's assets then becomes the responsibility of a probate court. An intestate estate is also one in which the will presented to the court was deemed to be invalid.

Who is the owner of property after father death?

After the death of your father, if he died without a Will, then the property will devolve amongst all legal heir. So in case your father did not have a Will, you, your mother and other siblings will be legal heir and the house will devolve amongst four. Both the procedure can be done during the lifetime of your mother.

Is succession certificate required if there is a will?

In the of a will, heirs are required to prove their claims to them. For a movable property like the provident fund, bank deposits, shares and loans the succession certificate is required. For an immovable property like land or jewellery, the letter of administration must also be submitted.Mar 12, 2019

How do I transfer property of deceased father?

4 Answers apply for mutation of property in your mother name. enclose father death certificate. gift deed or relinquishment deed by other legal heirs. if no objections are received property would be mutated in mother name. your mother can also apply for letters of administration from court.More items...

What to Do Upon Learning of The Death

Manage and Settle The Estate

Pay For Estate Expenses

  • The costs involved in dealing with the death of a loved one is one of the most immediate concerns faced by people who find themselves in this situation. Who pays for the funeral? Who pays for copies of the death certificate? Who pays for the incidental expenses that must be paid immediately? Who pays the lawyer to take the case through probate? As a general rule, the estat…
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Types of Probate

  • Probate is a legal process that applies after someone dies or becomes incapacitated. All states have specific laws that cover probate cases, and though many of these laws are similar, differences between individual states can be significant. In general, you can divide probate cases into two main types: small estate (or summary) probate, and traditional probate. Further, many s…
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The Probate Process

  • Regardless of the type of probate case you have, and the state in which the case is located, the probate processgenerally goes through the same basic steps. In simplified probate cases, these steps will be simple, or nonexistent, while in traditional or formal probate, the steps will have more requirements associated with them. The estate administrator, also called the executor or person…
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Other Issues to Consider

  • The majority of probate cases are relatively simple and straightforward. While they all involve specific processes and procedures that must be met, they don’t usually involve legal battles or lawsuits. However, there are some circumstances that fall outside of probate, or are part of some cases and not others, that can either complicate or simplify the process.
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Final Word

  • Managing an estate, navigating the probate process, and dealing with all the issues that arise after a relative dies can be difficult. That you’re also grieving when you’re expected to manage these issues makes the experience that much harder. Asking others for help, talking to an expert, and giving yourself a head start by doing some basic research on what you’ll face will help you …
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