It is not illegal to do so, but the utility has to be notified of the death. And they have to provide the name and address of the executor of the estate.
Apparently your parents had a will. They wanted a particular lawyer to probate the will. When they died, they had nothing. In that case, there is no point in probating the will and no one needs to pay to probate the will. If there was property, then the property can be sold. The estate pays the lawyer.
A deed does not stop probate from taking place. If the deed had a right of survivorship, then it might prevent the house from going into probate.
You have to ask. Failing that, check with the probate court records or clerk to see if one was admitted to probate or deposited there for safekeeping.
The parents' estates must be probated in order for the assets to pass to the heirs legally. You need to consult with an attorney who specializes in probate law in your jurisdiction.
In the state of Illinois, if a person whose parents are deceased has been named executor of their estate, yes, all of their financial information will be given to the living executor upon request.
You must file a petition in the county probate court. You can perform a quick search for the location in your jurisdiction by searching your county, state + probate court. For example: Middlesex County, MA - probate court.
Probate court is relevant after a death. In probate court, it can be decided if a will is valid. After the will is validated, the financial responsibilities of the deceased can be settled and any property belonging to the deceased can be taken care of.
No. Godparents are appointed by the parents for spiritual guidance in the parents' absence. They have no legal authority. Guardians for a child whose parents are deceased must be appointed by a probate court. The godparents can apply to be appointed.
Probate assets are part of a deceased person's estate that go through the probate process, while non-probate assets pass directly to beneficiaries outside of probate. Probate assets include property solely owned by the deceased, while non-probate assets include assets with designated beneficiaries or joint ownership.
either by the deceased in the will or by the probate judge
You need to inquire at your local probate court.
The information should be available to all family members who are the beneficiaries of the policy or are affected by the probate of the deceased person's estate. If the person withholding the information is the Executor of the estate, that person does not have the right to withhold this knowledge from the beneficiaries of the policy. Notify the probate court of this,