Dealing with this right now....
IF your loved one didn't leave a will/plan/instructions...
DO visit with the county probate office who may not be able to give legal advice, will indeed help you understand the probate process and point you in the right directions - for there are many!
I am dealing with Mom's estate, and the biggest blessing I have is for the first time in our lives, her children (all 5 of us) are not fighting and bickering with each other. If even one of us dissents over a decision - this would be a much messier situation.
I do not begrudge the advice of having an Estate Planner (attorney) but we were all caught by surprise... we thought Mom had more time..... we thought wrong.
Oh - and biggest piece of advice - MAKE SURE YOUR OWN ESTATE PLANNING IS IN PLACE AND UP-TO-DATE!
You don't want to leave your own family grieving AND having to deal with all this.
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