Can I Access My Parents Accounts After They Die?
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When a loved one dies, it can be very confusing to understand what you can and cannot do prior to opening a probate matter for the estate.
If you held the power of attorney for your family member during their lifetime, you need to know that the power of attorney is no longer valid after death. If your family member did not prepay for funeral expenses or set up a joint account to cover bills before probate, you may find yourself scrambling and paying bills from your own pocket. This means you should act as quickly as possible to get someone appointed as personal representative. If your loved one had a will, that person should be identified, and it can be a very simple process. Even so, it can take a few months to get the appointment confirmed by the probate court. If you have to pay funeral expenses or expenses of the estate out of pocket, however, you should know that this should be reimbursable from the estate when opened, even if your family member had other debts. Learn more here about what to do when a loved one dies. |
Need Help With a Parent's Estate?
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