Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in New Jersey
Estate Adminisration
My Moms house was sold 3 or more months ago. The lawyer is still paying the bills before releasing the money. They said over 3 weeks ago it would take a couple weeks and now say it will be a couple more weeks or so. Should this take so long to pay the bills? It is a small house and not a lot of bills.
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Estate Adminisration
Generally, you cannot expect to close an estate in less than 6 months. In AZ, the creditors have 4 months to make claims and you cannot close the estate until that time has run. The size of the house or the number of bills is not the controlling factor in time to close the estate and distribute to the heirs.
Re: Estate Adminisration
Supplementing Mr. Scher's answer:
Before any estate assets may be distributed, all of the debts of the estate must be paid, including taxes that were owed by the deceased, and the PA inheritance taxes. If the estate is large enough, there are also Federal Estate Taxes.
In PA, after an estate has been advertised [one of the first steps that must be taken after the estate is opened], creditors have one year to make claims.
This response is not legal advice, since I do not have all of the information that would be required, and I do not have a representation agreement with you.
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