Urgent help needed on estate/tax/inheritance issue in Texas!
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Urgent help needed on estate/tax/inheritance issue in Texas!
My partner’s grandmother died last week. He flew down to TX two days ago to help take care of things with the estate. He was told that the farm is being seized for unpaid federal taxes, and that he could be responsible for as much as a $250k tax bill. Can this be right? His name is not on the deed or title; it was not his farm, he is just a beneficiary of her estate.
Asked on May 26, 2009 under Estate Planning, New York
Answers:
MD, Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 14 years ago | Contributor
First and foremost, who is telling him this? Second, why doesn't he have an estate probate attorney to help? Third, did she have a will? Fourth, who is seizing it? Are there notices?
Fifth, what does he will say if she has a will? Sixth, normally beneficiaries are not personally liable -- he always has an out -- he can choose not to take the house. The estate would be liable and if it has no money, than most likely the property will be seized and no money can be obtained.
This is why your partner needs to at least consult with a Texas probate attorney. Try www.attorneypages.com and then check his or her record at the Texas State Bar.
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