Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Iowa

Myself and my sibs are in the process of settling my parents estate. There is a will, a house, cd's, checking and savings, Life insurance, and an investment portfolio. The life insurance and the investment portfolio have all of us as beneficiaries the will governs all other assets and we are all listed as heirs. If we cash in the life insurance and the investment portfolio before starting probate is the probate lawyer allowed to list these two items as part of the estate and charge fees on that money. The probate will be handled in the Iowa court. The estate and all the assets are here in Iowa .


Asked on 9/01/12, 5:02 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert Luedeman solo practitioner

Once a person dies ALL their assets are part of the estate, and that's what the debts must be paid out of. The time to set up a trust was years ago, I'm afraid.

Read more
Answered on 9/12/12, 1:34 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Probate, Trusts, Wills & Estates questions and answers in Iowa