Does a widow need a will after the death of her spouse?

A woman who recently lost her husband faces many legal and financial problems. One of these issues is whether she has to testify about her husband's legacy after her death. Here's how to know whether to start a succession.

When to present a sequence? If there are only assets in your husband's name, these assets must be "tested" before they can be legally transferred in your name.

Here are some examples: If your name is on the asset with your husband, the trial event is not necessary. If an asset is undergoing a beneficiary designation, such as a life insurance policy, and at least one of the named beneficiaries is alive, the order is not necessary. But if your husband only has actions in your name, a changeover event is needed.

What is the will?
Inheritance is a lawsuit that transfers ownership and ownership of a deceased's assets to their heirs. It involves presenting the will (if any), that the court must accept the will, list the assets and value of each asset, pay the debts of the deceased and distribute the remaining assets to the persons named in the will. If there is no will, the assets will be distributed in accordance with the law of the state where the legalization is performed.

Find out if you need to legalize
This is how the whole inventory tells you if you need to start a row. You will notice in the statement form that there is a space that asks how each asset is the title, that is, its name; your husband's name; common names (more than one name); or in the name of your husband's trust or your trust. If there is only one asset or asset in your husband's name, you will need to legalize those assets.

Review the column titled "How to Activate the Title." A number will be required if:
o ANY ASSETS listed in the inventory are titled only to your husband's name; or
o The recipient of your husband's life, annuity, retirement plan or IRA insurance policy is listed as your "property"; or
o The major beneficiary of your husband's life insurance, annuity, retirement plan or IRA is dead and there is no named secondary beneficiary; or
o The primary and secondary beneficiaries of your husband's life insurance policy, annuity pension plan or IRA are dead.

It does not matter if your husband has a will, an order is required if any of the above situations exist.

Who receives the assets if there is a will?
If your husband left a will, the assets are transferred to the person (s) named in your will. If you are this person, the assets in your name are transferred.

Who receives the assets if there is no will?
If your husband died without leaving a will, the laws of your state will determine who receives your property. In most states, the surviving spouse receives some, if not all, of the assets. Contact a lawyer with experience in inheritance.

Is a lawyer necessary?
In most states, it is possible to legalize a estate without a lawyer. However, if you live in a large metropolitan area with a busy and overcrowded heritage court, or if you do not want the frustration and responsibility of legalization, hire a probate lawyer collin county to legalize the estate for you. If you decide to hire a lawyer, look for a lawyer with experience in inheritance.

Discuss legal fees and costs with the attorney at your first meeting. If you are satisfied with the proposed fees, ask the lawyer to prepare a written "fee agreement" documenting your oral agreement. You and the attorney must sign two copies of the fee agreement, each of which has a signed copy.

When will the will be started
It takes many months to legalize a death estate; So the sooner it starts, the faster it is over. Do not ignore the problem if an order is needed. If there are only assets in your husband's name, you cannot transfer them in your name or sell them without each other. Act now if you decide a legacy is needed.