After a death, how long must surviving relatives wait to receive their inheritance?

Question

There is a will and the majority of the assets are liquid. There is one automobile and one home. I don't believe anyone will contest the will.
How can I find out what is in the will?

Answer 1

depending on the estate size, stipulations and encumberences if any... for a straight forward estate with no probate, the disbursement is usually made within 9-12 months. also depends if the assets are liquid or not. if the estate is mostly a business, it might take a long time to sell it or divest from it to a third party. if one of the heirs wants to take it over, then you have to determine at what price. if a 3rd party, you have to come up with a fair value. the more liquid the assets, with all things being equal, the quicker will the heirs be given their share.

Answer 2

If there's a will, it needs to be filed with the local probate court. Staff at the court can tell you how long a "normal" probate process takes. If it seems like this is taking longer than normal - who is the executor of the will? Is a family member putting the will through probate, or is there an attorney?

Documents filed with the probate court ought to be public record, but until they are filed it may be difficult to find out what the will says if the executor is being uncooperative.

Answer 3

It varies. But if the deceased left a Will - it will go much faster (assuming nobody contests the Will). If not, then the property must go through a probate hearing.

Answer 4

Typically within 1-2 years. The last of the money can be tied up for ages.

Answer 5

If you are party to the will, you will find out. If not, its none of your business. The probate can take six months easily.