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If we get a Will made for my dad and I get it notarized do we still have to go thru a court probate? Or can we just notify who we need to notify and just have a family meeting

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It depends on the size of the estate, how things are titled and if there are named beneficiaries on his accounts, and on trust among family members that you can fairly divide it. We did not have to go through probate for my mom because she and I were joint tenants with right of survivorship on her house and I was joint owner of all her bank accounts. One thing that we lost was her state tax refund, but I didn't think it was worth filing for the amount. I did divide the money left in her accounts with my siblings, but legally speaking, those were gifts from me to each of them. Since it was a modest amount divided eight ways, gift tax was not a concern. When my dad passed, mom did have to go through probate because they overlooked one vehicle that was titled in his name only.
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Reply to TopsailJanet
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According to the internet:
"Not all wills require probate
Not all wills require probate12. Whether or not a will has to go through probate depends on several factors, including the estate's value, whether there are debts owed, and how the assets are titled2. If the estate's value is $150,000 or less, it can be distributed according to the will without going through probate2. If there are debts owed, the estate may have to go through probate so that the debts can be paid off before the assets are distributed2."

That said, and especially if you are considering DIY on a will after the death of a loved one, I would pass this question by an attorney. It isn't something you can afford to get wrong. Also research the laws for your own state. I wish you the very best.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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Hi - this is a very good question asked...I always assumed that probate was required, but it'd be interesting to hear any feedback on this regarding your question of having a family meeting.

I do know that another way to avoid probate is for your dad to assign names on any bank or financial accounts for his TOD (transfer on death) or beneficiaries. That would also bypass probate.
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Reply to Hopeforhelp22
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My dad changed his home into a life estate deed, meaning I essentially inherited the house upon his death. This one action was what enabled me not to go through the probate process when acting as executor of his will. If he had died with the house still solely in his name, probate would have been required. Grateful his lawyer helped avoid it
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Reply to Daughterof1930
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It depends on the size of the estate and the simplicity of any/how many named inheritors are listed -- and the (geographic) state in which the person died. When a relative of mine died, her estate was minimal, and there were only a couple named beneficiaries for a pension remnant, bonds and insurance policy, so a probate was not filed/opened. The lawyer with whom we worked deemed the executors (I was one) capable to carry out the expressed will/terms of the deceased; everything we did as far as notifications to inheritors/beneficiaries was sent via registered mail as a precaution to ensure notification and receipt of the notifications.
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Reply to Auntique
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