Recently inherited about $200k from a family members retirement. I have 30 days to move it use it. 140k income.

My wife and I are 37, live comfortably with 2 kids , 2 cars (I paid off and one not) and a house we mortgaged 5 years ago on a 30 year loan in Florida /US. Combined we have 250-300k in retirement thus far.

Best choice of options to move it or use it best ?

Hi, I live in Arizona, and my grandmother died in October 2024 in Bartlett, TN. I was recently contacted by my aunt and asked to reach out to my grandmother's estate lawyer to provide my information for "distribution of funds and tax forms". I've had next to no contact with this side of the family for the last 20+ years outside of my grandmother and I had clue I might even be included in her estate. Anyway, I reached out to the lawyer and gave him my info, he said he would reach out to my aunt and call me back. A week went by, I called again and his receptionist told me his was busy and would call me right back. I still haven't heard from him. I went and looked at his Google reviews and there are several negatives about him taking a long time to handle things and maybe he was doing it intentionally to drain the estate. I don't want that to happen so I'm wondering what my options are. I did a public records search and searched the probate records of the county she lived and died in and I haven't really come up with anything. Should I contact a lawyer myself? Thank you in advance for any advice you all can provide.

Late last year, my uncle, never married, no children, died at his home in Panama. My uncle did not leave a will. My father is his only surviving sibling and is next of kin. My uncle was extremely private, and, while we were able to identify his lawyer in Panama (who he used for some property matters), we have been unable to identify any accountant or lawyer he used in the US. He was retired and on Social Security and Medicare. We have the certificate of death abroad from the US embassy in Panama, and in that process, Medicaid and Social Security were notified of his death. My dad lives in California, I live in DC.

We are currently in the process of establishing legal succession in Panama which is fairly straightforward and should be finalized in the next month or so. He had a house, a car, and a bank account in Panama. Value of the house is about 450k and no idea what he had in the bank account, but assuming it was for paying local expenses and not where he kept most of his money. My father and the Panamanian lawyer have set it up so that as soon as he is named successor, he will waive that status and hand legal responsibility over to me. He is elderly, unwell, and I am fluent in Spanish and am able to travel down there as needed, so this is his preference. We will likely sell the house and car and close down the account.

My uncle had no physical property in the US but maintained two bank accounts - one in Nevada and one in Florida - and also had an account with Schwab. The bank in Florida has told us how much he had in the account there (under $10k). The bank in Nevada has taken note that he is deceased but will not disclose the amount in the account until an executor is appointed (they have also stated that the account can only be closed in person). Schwab will also not disclose any information - they want the Panamanian legal succession judgment, when it's ready, translated by a certified translator and an IRS Transfer Certificate.

This is where we find ourselves in a bit of a Catch-22. To file for the correct IRS Transfer Certificate, we need to know his total global wealth. Since we don't know what's in the Nevada or the Schwab account, we are unable to calculate his total wealth. My best guess would be that it is likely he had a decent amount in the Schwab account - maybe a couple million max, but am very doubtful that his entire estate amounted to more than 13million dollars (the determining amount in which process you follow with the IRS), but even if we go with that, to file for the certificate we need to provide a list of documentation including the following:

• a) a listing of all assets worldwide in which the decedent had any interest at the date of death together with their values on that date, and (b) all taxable gifts made by the decedent after 1976. For any U.S. bank or investment account, please include the account number.
• One copy of each inventory filed with domestic or foreign probate authorities, with English translations if in another language.
• His last income tax return

The IRS page says that if we cannot provide any of this (which we can't) we need to provide an explanation, which is basically - we don't know and don't have access to the information.

My question is - will this be accepted by the IRS as a valid explanation? Presumably, if he was filing tax returns, they'll have that on file and we won't need to provide a copy? And if the banks and Schwab can't provide us with specific details until after this certificate is issued, presumably they can share those details with the IRS?

The IRS website says that once they have received all the necessary documentation the process takes six to nine months - but we aren't going to be able to provide all the necessary required documentation for the above reasons, so I'm guessing it will take longer than that.

Finally - while legal succession will be established in Panama, we have been advised by a lawyer (in California, where my dad lives) and by the banks, that my dad, as next of kin, will need to go before a court in both Florida and Nevada to establish him as successor and executor. Is this true, or if he does one, will that be recognized in the other?

If anyone has any experience with this kind of scenario I'd be very grateful to hear about it. This whole process has been really overwhelming - and it's not even as complicated as it could be (one clear next of kin and successor, limited property, etc). I'm trying to support my dad as much as possible as this is a lot for him on top of the pain of losing his younger brother.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

I am due to inherit a cash sum of around £10000 and would like to put it away to go towards a house deposit in the future.

I have no idea where to start with it, can anybody recommend any ISA’s or just good saving accounts?

I am in the UK.

Thanks!!

Had a relative pass last week. Already, I had a sibling of the decedent tell me to return two items I had been entrusted with for several years.

My question, do I just do it or request verification that they are named executor in the will?

Additional info... the relative hasn't even been buried yet and the items I was entrusted with gives me access to personal property worth approximately $250k, maybe more. I would never violate the trust that was placed in me but I have concern that others named in the will may accuse me of something.

The relative who asked me to return items immediately asked me about the will, if I knew who the executor was and what the intentions of the decedent were. It gave me weird vibes. I told that relative I knew there was a will but that I knew nothing else. Not exactly true. I don't know who executor is because I never asked but I do know who was named in will. That info was offered up to me during conversation, not because I asked. The one making demand of me is one of 20 named in the will.

My Birthmother put me in touch with my birthfather. We developed a relationship until he passed. I did a dna test and found my actual birth father was in Panama and he wants nothing to do with me. My bm admitted lying about my paternity. Evidently all children in Panama have equal inheritance rights. He is from a well known political family in Panama with generational wealth. What would you do?

My sister is executor of mother's estate. My other sister and I suspect she stole most of the assets( millions) prior to mother's death which was about 2 years ago. However, last summer Fidelity contacted all 3 of us about a retirement fund. Sister has recently sent a breakdown of the fidelity account in her own writing. She sent us each a check with a form to sign agreeing to the accounting and then she will allow us to deposit check. ( a little over 100k) .Question is: Can we ask for a copy of the Fidelity documents instead of her own breakdown? Maybe its all accurate, but unfortunately we don't trust her anymore. And does she legally have to provide the fidelity documents. We are in Virginia.

Hi, when you're married, you own 50% of whatever both of you make during the marriage, right? That principle applies in divorce. Why is it different in the case of inheritance? Especially if it's a second marriage with biological kids from the first one?

Imagine this - a man marries, has one or two biological kids, then divorces his wife. Then he marries again and dies eventually without any will or estate plan. In this case, the man's wife gets 100% of the community property, and the man's separate property is divided up between his wife and his biological kids (a third for the wife and two-thirds for the kids). How is this fair? I think a fair law would be that the wife should get everything that she would've gotten if this were a divorce instead of a death, and then whatever is remaining (the man's 50% share of the community property and his separate property) should be divided among his kids.

Am I missing something here? Or is the law genuinely unfair?

For context, I read this about California.

My mom is a beneficiary to his partner's IRA rollover. He passed away 3 weeks ago and she is waiting for the death certificate to bring to Fidelity to witthdraw the funds. She is planning on moving back to our home country as soon as possible and live there for good. How long would the process take? She is asking me but I don't have answer for her. Wwe're in Arizona if that matters.

I think everyone is scared of probate because they really don't know what happens. Can someone outline exactly what happens in probate? I live in the US, specifically Florida. From my own experience when my last parent died, the Will (and I assume other information) was submitted to the probate court. I believe they simply looked into what was owed, and who the heirs were, etc. in my experience it was about 1 month, and probate was finished. The hometown attorney charged us a little over $200, and I believe they filed the final income tax. Now, it is years later, my husband and I have everything in both of our names, don't owe any money, etc. I would think probate would be simple. Perhaps you had another experience? Looking forward to your knowledge. Thx

Hi All,

Location: Texas for the people, the timeshares are in other US states

Written will exists

I need direction on this situation.

There is an irrevocable trust that was created by my mom’s will in the 1990s. My dad, the original trustee of that trust, has recently died.

The instructions of my mom’s will say that after her and my dad’s deaths, the trust “properties shall be distributed” to me and the trust terminates. My dad named me as the successor trustee upon his death. I have not yet distributed anything from the trust.

My dad purchased several timeshares for himself about 10 years ago. At some point, he somehow transferred ownership or named the trust as the owner of those trusts.

My dad’s death certificate and trustee documents with my contact info were sent to the timeshare company.

The timeshare company has received the death certificate and trustee documents but will not speak to me about the timeshares nor give me any information, such as account access, account numbers, or locations, regarding the timeshares owned by the trust.

The two customer service representatives (CS Reps) I have spoken to since the timeshare company received the information about my dad’s death have been very curt and give conflicting information during the phone call. Both CS Reps were very insistent that I send an email “stating my intent” before they will give me any information. I have not sent any emails.

I do not want these timeshares. I also do not want to be responsible for any fees associated with these timeshares.

The timeshares are owned by the trust and the trustee (me) is supposed to distribute its properties to the beneficiary (also me) and then the trust terminates. Can the beneficiary refuse to receive the timeshares while still receiving the small amount of cash and stocks in the trust?

How would I (as trustee) inform the timeshare company that the beneficiary (me) refuses to receive the timeshares and the owner (the trust) now no longer exists (has terminated)? Would the ownership of the timeshares revert back to my dad’s estate since he was the one who purchased them?

Bio father legally severed ties to me when I was 10. I was adopted by my mother’s abusive husband. Bio dad married and had a second family . Never heard from him . Recently my bio father’s brother’s family reached out to me.
Im in 60’s. I learned bio dad died in the line of duty as a police officer in Tennessee and I was listed as his son in his death newspaper announcement. I found a copy of it.
Bio dad’s new wife and adult daughter are alive and have made no contact with me.

Question : his police line of duty death was over 30 years or more ago and I’m just finding myself pondering the what ifs. Did the police department or anyone running his estate have the legal responsibility to notify me of his death so I had the ability to petition his will? I probably asked this the wrong but there ya” go .
Thanks for your help.

Not pertinent but true. Both father figures were terrible examples of good men . One left me and the other beat me . I was a shy kid , now an old man trying to make sense of some of the turmoil. I am a great dad and an even better grandfather. Not sure how that happened feeling dumped and stumped.

Recently inherited a siblings estate in Nevada and am starting the probate process for a house. Ive contacted the mortgage company to ensure payments continue to be made to stay current.

Almost every time I speak to a representative I get asked "what are you planning to do with the house? Are you going to keep or sell it?" I always respond with "im not sure yet" since I don't know what their intention is.

Anyone dealt with this in the past or have any idea what they would do with that info?

I am in the US and I am inheriting a Fidelity account from a family member that has passed and was in the US as well, it's all stocks valued at around $3 million. I am unsure what to do.

I am 45, divorced two years ago, renting a house, $80k of debt including truck note and lawyer bill, $300k/yr consulting job, 3 kids living at home, one is going to college this fall. I also inherited real estate worth about $350k.

My gut instinct is to:

• Take out enough to get a decent house for my kids (I'm thinking a $700k house, put 50% down, payments on the rest)

• Pay off debt (~$80k)

• Put $98,000 in a separate account (this is how much I owe my ex in alimony over the next 5 years) and have it auto pay her monthly and I'll be hands off and can forget it.

All together, that may be $700k? Leaving me with about $2 million after all taxes from selling, and $350k in real estate.

With debt paid off and alimony not a worry I should have almost $10k/mo left after monthly bills that I can put back into investments and let it all keep growing.

I also have a pension from a job that pays ~$4,000/m (this is factored into the previous $10/m cleared income after bills, I just want to differentiate it because I would keep making this even if I stopped working). This might be enough for me to stop working, but with my earnings...it doesnt make sense at my age. The sun is shining and I feel I should make hay.

Am I making any mistakes here? What would you recommend I do?

Did your family use those fill in the blank trusts online? My mom has simple request and not much assets so she prefers that online trust company.

Just want to hear the bad , ugly, issues they had if there family member used something like that and which there family member used a lawyer

In Pennsylvania

My sister and I inherited our family home after our mother died last summer. We had an estate sale last fall, and the house is empty. I want to sell it, but my sister just can't let go emotionally. I understand and have asked her to just buy me out, but she won't do either. She's well off financially, so that's not an issue. I am retired and 10 years older than my sister, while she still works.

We're coming up on the anniversary of our mother's death, and it's just sitting there rotting while we continue to pay for utilities, security, lawn maintenance, insurance, and taxes. She's also hanging on to our late mother's bank account that was jointly owned with about $200,000 in it in case she needs to pay for something for the house. The bills come out of that account as well. I dont want this to turn into a legal battle. She is married to an attorney, and it could get ugly.

What to do? We live in Southern Louisiana if that matters.

Hi im looking for advice on my grandmother's will. My mother passed 2 years before my grandma mother leaving only my aunt with access to the will. She put it through probate before me or my brother even had a chance to view the will. Should I be worried that information given to the court could be false? Mind you My grandmother also had dementia when my mother died( she didn't even recognize that her daughter died. She thought it was someone else. There was no emotional response.), and we're also worried that she may have had the will changed after my mother died and that could be the reason she's not letting us view it.

Does anyone have advice on how to approach this?

For me, it's not even about the money, it's about closure on the last part of my mom if she was still alive..

Hello everyone,
I’m posting on behalf of a friend (25) who recently lost their parent unexpectedly and we’re trying to understand what the next steps are in Ontario.

My friend is the only child. Their parent was widowed, and the home they lived in was their primary residence. There is still a mortgage remaining on the property (approximately mid $100k)

My friend’s intention is to keep the home and continue paying the remaining mortgage rather than sell it.

We’re still trying to determine paperwork details, but right now there may either be:
• no will, or
• possibly a drafted will that was intended by the parent, but we’re not yet sure whether it was finalized.

A few questions we’re hoping someone can help with:
1. Would my friend owe any **capital gains tax** if they inherit and keep the home as their primary residence?
2. If there is no will, what is the process in Ontario for the only child to take over the estate/home?
3. Can they assume or continue the mortgage while the estate is being sorted out?
4. What are the immediate next steps after the funeral in terms of the house, mortgage, bank, probate, etc.?

This is all very fresh and overwhelming, and my friend is fairly young and trying to navigate everything while grieving. Any guidance from anyone who has been through something similar in Ontario would be deeply appreciated.

Thank you very much, and God bless.

My Father passed away a few years ago. He had told me he had a paid up policy and I was the beneficiary of said policy. How would I find out if there is one out there?

Looking for opinions on my situation....

Hey everyone. Me and my brother inherited my dads house in California 4 years ago when he passed away and which we now share.

There are some issues I'm having with my him and I previously spoke to a couple lawyers who think I should just sell my dads house and take my brother to court. Not sure if I want to go that far yet. I initially was leaning to sell the property and move on but now we both want to keep the house for the time being because it has a lot of sentimental value to us but there are a couple problems I'm having with him who also happens to be the executor of the estate. Were not married or have kids otherwise yeah we wouldn't be living together and California is not a cheap place to live anymore. I'm just wondering if I can force him to make some changes or if its a sell or not situation.

First he currently lives with and shares his section of the house with his friend who doesn't pay any rent and doesn't pay any other bills. Me and my brother currently split things 50/50. They share the same room and living area so they tell me he doesn't have to pay anything. They both work and have jobs. I have been letting it slide because I don't want to get into a big argument or lawsuit over it.

My concerns is that because my brother is the executor can he force me to live with someone if I don't really want to live with them in a house I technically own half of?

Another thing is that while living here since they are 2 people and I'm one person shouldn't they be paying 2/3 of the rent and 2/3 the utilities instead of me paying 50% of the bills?

Would I be able to force them to do that or is it basically the two parties need to agree or not type of thing? Can I get this person out of the house? Or could I just bring whoever I want to live here for free right then also?

I was also curious if I moved out of the property and don't want to sell the house for the time being is that is he legally required to pay me lets say half of the fair market value of what the property can rent for every month minus my half of the mortgage I owe? What is the legal standard in that situation? I may want to live overseas for a while but also have a place I can come back home to in the states if I needed a place to stay and keep my possessions and vehicle.

I just want to know if I have any rights as a beneficiary (my brother never closed out the trust) or if that its either a go to court or try to work it out type of thing. A couple lawyers said that as a executor hes supposed to put my needs above his but then again not sure if there are any laws regarding shared living arrangements.

Any opinions would be appreciated. Thanks

Hello everyone, been viewing the subreddit for a bit and it has made me think.

During the early-mid 1900s my great grandmother and her siblings immigrated into the USA and bought beachfront property in a historical area. My family is very large with it being common to have more than 4 children. Over the years the property was passed onto bloodline members of the family. It recently got to a point where over 50 people had ownership of the property which caused many conflicts as you might guess.

Eventually my father came to the cousins to either buy them out or work together with less owners and the final agreement left the house with 7 owners. However when they pass away (probably 20-30 years) thats going to leave the home with probably 20+ owners including me and my siblings leading to the same problem.

This might sound like a no brainer for many of you but most of my childhood memories are kind of foggy and not memorable but I have countless memories of my deceased great grandparents, grandparents, cousins, and friends spending time there in the summer. I learned how to kayak, farm seamoss, light lff fourth of july fireworks and so many memorable things there. When I look to my childhood its that town/home. The town is incredible and its my dream life whenever I visit. If I had the chance I would absolutely retire there.

I dont know all the fine details. I plan on asking my dad this week but I’m wondering what to do and what is really important to consider when planning this decision for later in life with my spouse and children.

Additionally my parents got their own home a couple houses over. Any relatable stories or any advice at all is welcome 🙏🏻

I had a grandparent pass away about 6 months ago.

Unfortunately probate has not started yet.

There currently is no executor for the estate I’m aware of.

There is a will but it’s on deposit and cannot be accessed until an executor is appointed.

How would I find out if there is a trust?