A loved one died and I need help! |
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 What estate planning documents did the loved one have? |
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| Do I need to file a probate? |
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| How do I manage this process when I live far away? |
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 The bureaucracy is holding everything up; what can I do? |
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 What is the average time for estate administration? |
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| How can I deal with delays in the administration process? |
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Some delays in the estate probate administration process are a natural product of court proceedings. The complexity of the estate can require that the personal representative follow procedural steps before distributing assets to heirs. Some court delays, however, arise from claims and contests between the heirs or other interested parties. Usually, the best method for resolving these procedural hurdles is through effective negotiation and compromise. Other delays in the probate estate administration process result from an administrator not properly discharging his duties. A personal representative is charged by the court to engage in timely and orderly estate administration. Whether an administrator is not acting in a timely manner depend on the circumstances and nature of the estate. A personal representative who fails to perform his duties in a timely manner can held accountable and sometimes sanctioned by the court. If a personal representative is not finishing the work, an interested party can also petition to replace the personal representative. |
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| When are the assets supposed to be distributed? |
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| The person in charge is being secretive; what can I do? |
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| It appears that there is stealing from the estate; what can I do? |
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| The will or trust was changed under suspicious circumstances; what can I do? |
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