Skipping step three could cost you
By Beth Newcomb
The thing about dying, says Jay Nabors, who works in partnership with his wife, Linda, at Nabors & Nabors, the Strongsville-based law firm where attorney John J. Urban is of counsel, is those you leave behind are responsible for handling your affairs. That’s why it’s crucial to make sure all of your ducks are in a row.
“I had a client come to me to help sort out her great-uncle’s estate,” Jay recalls.
“He died without a will, and nobody in the family went to probate court to open an estate for him. He had assets, and eventually everything went to the unclaimed funds division of the state. Years later, my client learned by accident that she was entitled to a good bit of money from his estate. But to access it, we had to open estates for him and then her siblings (who were dead) to push the money through the proper channels. It ended up costing a small fortune just to make things right.”
Jay suggests you take these steps if someone in your family passes away:
- Notify all family members.
- Make the appropriate funeral arrangements.
- Contact an attorney who focuses on estate matters and probate work. It can be anyone. It doesn’t have to be the attorney who created the deceased person’s will.
Once you’ve contacted us, we will take it from there and can determine whether the estate needs to go to probate or not.
Nabors & Nabors offers Mimi readers a free legal services consultation in person or on the phone, with services at a contracted discount rate. Mention this story when you schedule an appointment. House calls and select evening appointments available.
To reach the attorneys at Nabors & Nabors Ltd., with John J. Urban of counsel, call 440-846-0000, ext. 227. The offices are located at 11221 Pearl Road, in Strongsville. Visit the website at Nabors-Law.com.