Many people hesitate to call a lawyer because they think it will be expensive. But in estate and trust matters, the real expense often comes from not getting advice when it’s needed. Small mistakes with property, accounts, or paperwork can quickly turn into problems that require court involvement, months of delay, and thousands of dollars in costs. A short consultation up front is almost always far cheaper than fixing errors after the fact.

The following are a few real world examples of how failing to seek timely legal advice can result in costly and time-consuming consequences.

 

Example 1: Money Stuck in a Frozen Account

A successor trustee sold a house that belonged to a trust. Instead of putting the sale proceeds into the trust’s account, the trustee deposited the money into the decedent’s personal bank account. Because the bank had been notified of the death, the account was immediately frozen. The trustee then had to hire an attorney and go to court just to get the money released.

A quick phone call beforehand would have explained that trust assets must always stay in the trust account. With the right escrow instructions and bank documents, the funds would have been available immediately to cover expenses and distributions.

 

Example 2: A Home Left Out of the Trust

A parent signed a living trust but never transferred their house into it. When they passed away, the home was not legally part of the trust. The family was forced to go through court—either a special petition to fix the mistake or a full probate. Both options cost far more than a simple deed transfer would have during the parent’s lifetime.

This situation is common and completely avoidable. Recording a deed, updating the trust’s property list, and making sure insurance and tax records reflect the trust would have saved the family significant time and money.

 

Example 3: Outdated Beneficiary Forms

A parent’s trust said that three children should share everything equally. But the parent’s retirement accounts and bank accounts still had old pay-on-death designations naming just one child. When the parent passed away, those accounts went directly to that one child, contrary to the parent’s intent. Family conflict followed.

Regular reviews with an attorney would have caught this. Updating the beneficiary forms to match the parent’s intent would have avoided conflict and costly litigation.

 

The Real Value of Legal Advice

Spending a little on legal guidance often prevents:

• Court hearings and petitions
• Delays in distributing assets
• Disputes among family members
• Extra costs for trustees and beneficiaries

Legal advice is not about making things complicated. It is about making sure things are done correctly so families can move forward without unnecessary stress or expense.

 

How Pederson Law Offices Can Help

At Pederson Law Offices, we help families create estate plans that work as intended, guide trustees through the process of managing and distributing trust assets, and handle probate when it is required. Our goal is to keep the process as simple, efficient, and cost-effective as possible.

 

Please note: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Consult with a qualified attorney at Pederson Law Offices for advice on your specific circumstances.