Marie* passed away in 1994, leaving behind seven adult children. Her husband and three of their children had predeceased her. At the time of her passing, Marie owned a home with no mortgage. One of her surviving children, Abe, continued to live in the home and manage the bills and property taxes.
Marie had a Will dating back to the 1970s. Since the house was the sole asset of her estate, the family agreed to let Abe stay in the house and handle the expenses. Consequently, Marie’s Will was never probated, and the deed to the house remained in her name. This arrangement seemed simple and practical, but it set the stage for future complications.
In 2015, Abe’s declining health forced him to move out, and he passed away in 2020, being the last of Marie’s children to die. After Abe moved out, other family members occupied the house but neglected to pay property taxes. In 2016, the town recorded a tax lien on the house, which was purchased by a company that subsequently filed a tax lien foreclosure action against Marie’s estate.
By this time, the next-of-kin consisted of 20 grandchildren. One grandchild, Eve, hired a TREEL attorney to represent her in her application to become the estate’s administrator, since the three executors named in Marie’s Will had all died. For Eve to be appointed administrator, all 20 grandchildren needed to sign a renunciation of their right to apply, and Eve needed to be bonded. Unfortunately, Eve was unable to secure the bond, and none of the other grandchildren were willing to step up as administrators.
With no family member able to administer the estate, the TREEL attorney applied to become the administrator. The first step was to be appointed as a temporary administrator to resolve the pending tax lien foreclosure. This involved notifying all 20 grandchildren and extensive communication with multiple attorneys and realtors, resulting in a lengthy and costly process.
By the time the foreclosure case was settled and associated costs and fees were paid, the estate’s value had diminished to about a third of its potential worth had the family acted sooner. Further, the attorney needed to be appointed as the permanent administrator to make any distributions to the family, incurring additional costs and prolonging the process. Eventually, a judge authorized the attorney to pay their legal fees and distribute the remaining estate to the heirs, but only after a protracted and arduous process.
This family’s experience underscores the critical importance of timely and thorough estate planning. Proper estate planning would have provided clear instructions, minimized legal hurdles and preserved the estate’s value. This case illustrates the potential consequences of neglecting estate planning:
- Legal Complexities: Without a current and probated Will, the estate faced significant legal challenges and delays.
- Financial Loss: The value of the estate was severely reduced by legal fees, administrative costs and the tax lien foreclosure.
- Family Burden: The grandchildren faced a cumbersome and distressing process to resolve the estate, highlighting the emotional and administrative burden left by inadequate planning.
Estate planning ensures that an individual’s wishes are honored, reduces potential conflicts and protects the financial legacy for future generations. It is a crucial step in managing one’s affairs and safeguarding the interests of loved ones. For estate planning assistance, contact the Timothy Rice Estate and Elder Law Firm today for a free consultation.
*Names and some details have been changed to protect the client’s privacy.
