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Will a Contribution to an SNT Qualify for the Gift Tax Exclusion?
Does a gift of $14,000 this year to a special needs trust (SNT) qualify for the annual gift tax exclusion?
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Disability Advocates Applaud Landmark COVID-19 Relief Bill
In stark contrast to previous COVID-19 relief bills, the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, signed into law by President Biden on March 11, 2021, contains numerous provisions specifically aimed at supporting people with disabilities.
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Question: How Can I Get My Siblings to Let Me Read My Mom’s Will? Alt: How to Get a Loved One’s Will Read Immediately Keywords: Estate Planning, Probate Abstract: My mother passed away and left a will to give to the children. My brother and sister won't lffet me read it. What can I do to get my mom's will readff immediately because I am a beneficiary who is allowed to see it. Body: While every state’s laws are different, whoever possesses the will of the deceased person must record it with the local probate court. The deadlines may differ from state to state. If you have reason to believe that your siblings are violating this requirement, you can seek a court order that they comply. Understanding the Probate Process To begin probate, a personal representative or executor must file with the county court where the decedent lived. One of your siblings may have been named as the executor, and they will need to go through probate proceedings with the help of the court. The court needs to approve them as the executor first before they can carry out the instructions in the will. Their role requires them to notify all beneficiaries. If your siblings refuse to notify you about the contents of the will, you could also force the issue by proceeding in probate court as if your mother did not have a will, seeking to probate your mother’s estate under the rules of intestacy. Your brother and sister would no doubt respond by filing the will. Otherwise, the state gets to determine who receives your mother’s belongings—and it might not be to their liking or yours. For legal guidance and advice, contact a local estate planning and probate attorney. Harry S. Margolis practices elder law, estate, and special needs planning in Boston and Wellesley, Massachusetts. He is the founder of ElderLawAnswers.com and answers consumer questions about estate planning issues here and at AskHarry.info.
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