QUESTION
How long should it take to settle someone's estate?
Asked on Nov 25th, 2014 on Wills and Probate - New Jersey
More details to this question:
My deceased father's relative passed away over 4 years ago. Four months ago my mother found out her name and my father's was in his will. The attorney handling the estate was not the one to track my mother down. The neighbor of my father's relative who is also noted in the will was the one to contact her. She gathered all the family information from my mother and gave it to the attorney. My main question is how long should it take for an attorney to settle an estate? Is there a certain time frame? Just seems like he is dragging his feet on this and he wasn't even the one to contact my mother.
1 ANSWER
2 Awards
I usually try to resolve things within 9 months. that's not a requirement, but if inheritance taxes are due, they are due 9 months after the date of death, so I use that as a guide. sometimes more complicated estates take longer, but certainly not 4 years. You could start an inquiry by asking the attorney for an informal accounting of what is in the estate.
Answered on Nov 25th, 2014 at 12:33 PM
Diana L. Anderson, Certified Elder Law Attorney This response is not legal advice and does not establish any form of attorney/client relationship