If a parent gave their child money, after there death does it need to be repaid to the estate?
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If a parent gave their child money, after there death does it need to be repaid to the estate?
Over the past 6 years my late father gave me loans and gave me gifts of money. When I tried to pay him back he refused to take it. There is no mention in his Will of paying him back. Do I now owe it to his estate?
Asked on May 17, 2016 under Estate Planning, Florida
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 8 years ago | Contributor
A gift is just that, a gift. This means that no repayment is expected or required. However, as to loans, repayment is required. This means that their is a legal obligation to repay an estate. The fact is that when a person dies, their estate stands in their shoes. In other words, the estate takes their place which means that all legal obligations that were owed to the deceased are now owed to the estate. This includes the repayment of loans.
That having been said, it appears that from your father actions, in this case the refusal to accept repayment, he considered all monies given you as gifts. Therefore, you appear to have no legal obligation to repay these amounts.
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