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This time next week, the claims period regarding my grandmother's estate will end. It started back in early August.



After that, will my mom be able to start getting things taken care of regarding my grandmother's bank accounts and stocks or is there at least one additional step that needs to be taken before she can tend to the accounts?



My mom is the lone beneficiary btw, so the estate obviously won't be contested in any way. I'm hoping it can be a relatively quick process after next week's window closes.

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Usually the judge will send the executor a letter of testimony. She still has to wait for that document. Banks and financial institutions cannot release until then. They will tell her what hoops she has to go through. I had to wait 4 months to get it for my brother with a complex estate. I had to send a copy of the letter plus make calls and send paperwork to get assets released so that I could distribute to benefactors. The exception was that when a beneficiery was listed, I would notify that person to file the paperwork along with sending them a death certificate. It may take a year to 18 months to complete probate because of last tax filings, Believe me when I say I had to listen to sob stories while people were waiting for their share as if they were highly dependent on finding money to pay bills that are always present. . The executor has to hold onto some funds for professional services like taxes, so she needs to take her time.
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Since you wrote that a lawyer is being paid to help your Mom tie up the estate, then she can ask the lawyer this question instead you asking anonymous non-lawyers. That's what the lawyer is getting paid to do.
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Is your Mom doing probate or a lawyer? When my Mom passed, probate was not done for two years because the house had to be sold and there were 3 beneficiaries. Once that happened, the tax and Medicaid liens had to be paid. My out of pocket and any bills outstanding when Mom passed. Then an accouting showing where all the money went. Once the 3 beneficiaries signed the accounting, we received our inheritance.

The claims period is what debtors are given to get their bills/invoices in. It does not mean that Probated closes at that time. If debts still need to be paid out that has to be done. If the Will says a house needs to be sold, that has to be done. If there is a codicil attached leaving someone a piece of jewelry, that has to be done. You have to show probate that you have done everything they asked you to do has been done, like tax ID filings. In my State Probate cannot be closed for 8 months.

Not sure if Mom will need an accounting since the only beneficiary. If she has done Probate on her own then she needs to see the Probate Clerk to see if anything else is needed. If she has a lawyer, then he should be able to tell her when probate closes. Every State has different regulations. So we really can't give you solid answers.
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blickbob Jan 2025
A lawyer is doing it.

In my state, probate is usually 6-9 months.
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Well there's the tax man commething.
I am saying that there are things that need to be done and for me, for these questions, it is invaluable to have an attorney. In fact just to get the EIN number it saved me so much time and angst. If you do that online via the IRS site one wrong answer can make a mess and writing or speaking with the IRS is 3 months wait for an answer. Can delay things badly.
I would get a trust and estate attorney. My total bill for hours of time was not much at all, and that was just to check out a few questions and get a little guidance.

Wouldn't want to guess what all is going to go on for your mom but I guarantee one thing, if there are stock or investments out there????? Then they are going to drive her to madness. They want everything and then her firstborn. Is that YOU?

Good luck. I really wish I could answer, but each case where probate is concerned is so individual. I would just want that attorney in my corner.
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The most accurate answer will come from calling her district court's probate clerk as the rules may vary by state. Is your Mom a beneficiary or an inheritor? There's a difference. For example: if someone is named as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy, those funds go directly to that person and there's no probating it.
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blickbob Jan 2025
My mom is listed as the beneficiary, as well as the executrix. She gets everything of my grandmother's. Her house has long since been put in my mom's name.
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