How Probate Works. A Guide for Executors, Heirs, and Families.

Why Does Probate Take So Long_ Tax Clearance

E155 Why Does Probate Take So Long? Tax Clearance


The second most common question about probate is: why does probate take so long? Lately, one of the biggest culprits is getting tax clearance.

We’ll discuss:

  1. Why tax clearance is so important
  2. Estate tax on the 1%
  3. The IRS and the Deceased’s 1040
  4. See you next April
  5. Don’t Forget form 5495!

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5 Tips for Banking with Estates

E153 5 Tips for Banking with Estates


So you need an estate checking account. Sounds easy enough, right?

We’ll discuss:

  1. Forget online: go to a branch
  2. Not all branches are created equal
  3. Estate deposits
  4. Medallion guarantees
  5. Quid pro quo

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Unexpected Notary Headaches in Probate

E149 Unexpected Notary Headaches in Probate


You may think notarizing a doc is a piece of cake. Just go to a bank, pharmacy, or stationer, right? Not always…

We’ll discuss:

  1. Originals are required
  2. Going to the US embassy
  3. What the heck is an apostille?

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How to Collect the US Account of a Deceased Foreigner

E142 How to Collect the US Account of a Deceased Foreigner

How to Collect the US Account of a Deceased Foreigner

We help a LOT of non-US heir collect their US inheritance.

So, for example
– Aunt Barbara was a UK citizen, and lived/died in Spain
– But she had a few US bank and brokerage accounts >$200k
– How do Barbara’s nieces and nephews legally get their US inheritance?

In this high-level summary, we’ll describe:

Step 1: Go to local probate court
Step 2: Go to US probate court
Step 3: Get US tax clearance

And lastly, I’ll describe a few of the seemingly simply tasks that can cause surprisingly long delays

E129 How to Collect a Deceased Person’s Bank Account

E129 How to Collect a Deceased Person’s Bank Account


Today we’ll walk you through how to collect a deceased person’s bank account.

There are a few possible twists, turns, and surprises. So we’ll try to prep you, to make it as easy as possible for you.

Today we’ll cover:

  1. Frozen bank accounts
  2. Don’t forge!
  3. Joint accounts
  4. When you need probate

Lastly, we’ll save you some time be telling you about the next step you should prepare to collect a deceased person’s bank account

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E125 What Happens to Your Online Life When You Die

E125 What Happens to Your Online Life When You Die


How much time do you spend on social media?

Is it fair to say you spend enough time on there, post enough pics, rants, etc. to say that it’s a part of your legacy? Your time on earth?

If you agree, then you’ll probably also care about what happens to your online when you die.

 

Today we’ll cover what happens to your

  1. Social media accounts
  2. Other popular digital/online accounts
  3. Email accounts

Lastly, I explain how one of the biggest social media companies is very weird about your accounts when you die.

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E114 Things to Do Upon the Death of a Family Member

E114 Things to Do Upon the Death of a Family Member


I understand it’s hard to get organized when someone has died. But as a professional executor for hundreds of families, I’ve seen how important it is to avoid legal, tax, and most importantly family problems.

Today we’ll cover:
6 things to do immediately
7 things to do within first week
2 things to do within month
5 things to do AFTER choose lawyer and executor

Lastly, I’ll share 3 power tips on how even following these steps may not be enough to avoid long-term problems

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E112 What Happens to Your Stocks When You Die

E112 What Happens to Your Stocks When You Die?


Stocks are your piece of the US economy, and can represent years or decades of patient compounding.

You it’s probably really important to you what happens to your hard earned investments when you pass away.

It mostly depends on how you own your stocks.

We’ll cover what happens to your stock when you die:

  1. With a trust
  2. With named beneficiaries
  3. With a will
  4. With no plan

And lastly, we’ll explain why the speed of these different choices matters so much.

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E96 Probate Case Study: How Banks Will Drive You Crazy in Probate


You’ve probably heard that probate is stressful and frustrating. But how, exactly?

 

Here’s a recent example that could drive non-professional executors loco

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E89 Will New Law Actually Protect Grieving Families from Creditors 956x423

E89 Will New Law Actually Protect Grieving Families from Creditors


New law in NY to protect grieving families from debt collectors. Better late than never?

Links:

https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-advises-consumers-about-new-protections-grieving-families-targeted-debt

https://www.the-leader.com/news/20190329/stronglaw-to-shield-next-of-kin-from-debt-collectorsstrong

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0081-debts-and-deceased-relatives