If you follow this blog regularly you know that you have to protect your assets from everyone. That includes potential new spouses, children, loved ones and needless to say caretakers. So maybe this should come as no surprise to you but apparently you also have to look out for the clerk of court in some jurisdictions? In a recent case out of the Supreme Court of Texas it was revealed that for more than a decade, a rogue probate clerk looted millions of dollars from intestate accounts in a Texas County. Do you know how to protect your assets? Check out these four tips to avoid these tragedies.
Know Your Assets, Know Who To Trust
- It should go without saying that you need to make a will.
- Regardless of whether you heed that advice though you should have someone you trust know your assets and liabilities.
- If relatives had known the value of their relative’s intestate estate relative size this could have been avoided.
Double Check Everything
- You only die once.
- Needless to say you will not be there to go over the documents when you do, but your relatives need to know how crucial these papers are.
- If you are currently helping to administer a West Palm Beach double-check everything.
- Look over the Palm Beach notices three times minimum.
When You Don’t Understand Something, Get Help
- The Court in West Palm Beach may appoint you a probate attorney but they will not be there everywhere every second of your journey as a personal representative.
- If you do not know something, call and ask.
- Do not be afraid to reach out, be afraid to do things when you are unsure!
- Chances are this rogue probate clerk told a lot of people the wrong information and took advantage.
- If these people had double-checked with their Palm Beach probate lawyers, it could have been different!
MAKE A WILL!
- Do you know what every single one of the victims in this case had in common? They died intestate.
- A Palm Beach intestate decedent is one that dies without a will.
- Any experienced Palm Beach probate litigator can help you make a will at nominal (low) costs, to help facilitate probate but also to protect your assets. Did you know some wills could help you skip probate all together?
- Do not end up playing victim, make a will and protect your assets.
Want to read more about this tragic series of events?
Check out the whole case by clicking here.