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freqflyer Posted April 2018

Death, taxes, writing a ton of checks.

Dad passed in 2016, thus Dad's Will had to be filed with the Probate Court. Bank had me change Dad's checking over to an Estate Account. Dad's Elder Law Attorney filed for a new IRS number as Dad's social security number could no longer be used. Part of Dad's estate was in a Revocable Trust but I thought Dad had transferred everything into his Trust.... oops, he didn't, thus hello to Probate.


I paid the County to file. I paid Dad's attorney to help me with this complex maze. Paid the bank for new checks saying Estate. Then the Attorney had me change the items that were left over in the Estate over to the Trust. That was time consuming, took months to complete.


One stock was a bear to change. And the Attorney once again filed for another new IRS number as now items were finally in the Trust. Also had to get new checks saying Trust. Oh, let's not forget about the IRS. Dad's CPA did Dad's taxes for April 2017 [for year 2016]. Paid from the estate what was owed, and paid the CPA. No problem, this was expected. Everyone following this, or did I lose many at the Bakery [old Laugh-In line].


Well, Dad's estate is STILL in Probate. The Attorney filed a current accounting for 2018. Hopefully the last filing. Paid the Attorney, and another check to the County. The CPA had to do taxes for April 2018 [for year 2017]. CPA filed to the IRS an Estate filing, and also had to do a separate Revocable Trust filing. Paid the IRS and waiting for the bill from the CPA. Had no estimated taxes paid because we all thought the Probate would be finished.... oops.


I've not only aged while helping my parents when they were alive, I am still aging dealing with what happens after death with taxes. Anywho, just a heads up if your parent(s) were very frugal and had saved for all those rainy days. Thank goodness they did, but who would expect it to be so complex afterwards... this was another huge eye opener !!

BarbBrooklyn Apr 2018
Just to pile on, I'm not executor, apparently because my parents didn't trust my first husband ( gotta say, this is may be the first favor he's done for me). My mom's estate is in probate. 24, count'em 24 bank accounts ( toaster, blenders, anyone?. At some point this will resolve.

I've just made beneficiaries on my retirement accounts.

freqflyer Apr 2018
Bravo, the powers that be came along and made the paragraphs.... not the original paragraphs that I had but close enough... much easier to read.... thank you, AgingCare :)

I didn't notice, can we "edit" a brand new discussion or question like we can do with our answers? I was in a rush this morning when I posted.

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GardenArtist Apr 2018
AgingCareCM, I think the hidden paragraph gremlins like your post - they posted it twice!

AgingCareCM Apr 2018
The paragraph police are here (and I'll remove this post after I edit) I'm experimenting with what is happening with the formatting so that I can report to tech. Thanks!

AgingCareCM Apr 2018
The paragraph police are here (and I'll remove this post after I edit) I'm experimenting with what is happening with the formatting so that I can report to tech. Thanks!

GardenArtist Apr 2018
FF, the paragraph bunching has happened to me, which is why when I posted today on segregation of medical vs. room and board costs, I used the answer box to elaborate. At least I could edit.

And following on Send's recommendation, I think you need to write a check to the Paragraph Management Team to get the paragraphs separated.

bicycler Apr 2018
Paragraphs are good. I've found that looking at my answers after posting them and then editing them for format and content often helps make them more readable. Regardless, freqflyer, your comments were readable, fun and educational.

GardenArtist Apr 2018
I hear you and feel your pain, FF. The first 1041 I had to file was a nightmare. I read the entire 1041 booklet and only became more confused. I did discover it has one very valuable purpose though: it put me to sleep when I was agonizing over doing it properly.

It's hard to find something as boring as some of the IRS publications. And the possible combinations give new meaning to what could be similar to geometric if/then hypotheses. It's more like "if a, then not b - k, but if not m, then n -t, and if not either, then u - z."

I needed a GPS to navigate the contingencies. Too bad GPS is only for land navigation.

I was so confused after reading the whole darn publication that I hired a trust accountant to do it for me. Simple! From then on I had a model to guide me and I did the rest of the 1041s plus K-1s myself.

Now I go through this again, but at least I only have to update myself on the new laws for trusts, but this time I'm seeing my attorney to get a head start.

I'm retitling assets now and learning once again that it just doesn't happen as quickly when there's a revocable trust involved. Assets are frozen during this period, so I need to dig into the existing accounts to pay bills until the assets are available. Good thing I didn't buy all those seeds and plants I planned to put in this year. Guess the new car to replace the falling apart one I have now is going to have to wait awhile.

One investment company is very helpful, though; it has a transition team to assist in asset management and transfer post death. But I can't get a phone appointment until next week.

At least all this paperwork and regulations keep my mind focused and off of the loss of my father.

Sendhelp Apr 2018
ff,
I think you have to pay extra to have the paragraphs separated.

freqflyer Apr 2018
Ok, what happened to all my separate paragraphs I had placed in my above post??? A software hiccup? Or do we now need to triple space between paragraphs?

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