"When a relative dies, you and your family will need time to grieve. It is important you do not make any long-term decisions about finances for at least six months. Grief can cloud your judgment."
People frequently ask what they should do when a loved one passes. Unfortunately, they usually ask this question from the midst of their grief. Making appropriate plans now can ease the burden of this difficult time. Sarah Rieger of the Spokane Spokesman-Review recently wrote a quick guide to post-mortem decision making, particularly applicable for those instances when the estate will require a probate court proceeding. Estates that have been appropriately planned to avoid probate may be handled differently.
In any case, the first step is the most important: notify the decedent’s attorney. If the estate has been properly planned, the attorney should be able to guide you through the process and minimize both the time and the emotional stress involved.
To learn more about probate and estate administration, including Probate Avoidance Planning, visit the Probate and Estate Administration Center on our website.
Comments