My mother died with her only assets being a $700 bank account and a car that is worth under a $1000, do we still need to go through probate?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

My mother died with her only assets being a $700 bank account and a car that is worth under a $1000, do we still need to go through probate?

Can we dispose of the car and use the account to pay her bills without probate?

Asked on April 13, 2012 under Estate Planning, Pennsylvania

Answers:

S.L,. Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 11 years ago | Contributor

Sorry to hear about your mother.

Her estate is too small to go to probate.  States have a minimum amount beyond which probate of an estate is required.  The amount varies from state to state, but your mother's estate is too small for probate. 

If your mother left a Will, there may be provisions in the Will regarding the car and the bank account.  If the executor has to pay bills out of the estate, and the Will is silent as to disposition of the bank account and car, then those assets could be used to pay the bills.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption