# How soon should an estate be settled after someone dies? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 30, 2004, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-soon-should-an-estate-be-settled-after-someone-dies/277353 "2004-11-30T17:29:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tnpat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6bbea6/32.png) [@tnpat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnpat)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2004, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-soon-should-an-estate-be-settled-after-someone-dies/277353/1 "2004-11-30T17:29:42Z")
My Dad passed over 6 years ago and still no sale of his house. Am I wrong to be angry that I have now paid for 1/3 of a new roof, sewers, and all the other things done that were not needed 6 years ago? Without using all the assets up in a lawsuit, how do I get my sister to do her job. Should she still get a large chunk for being the handler of the estate? Thanks a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2004, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-soon-should-an-estate-be-settled-after-someone-dies/277353/2 "2004-11-30T17:58:12Z")
Do you want legal advice (in which case you’d need to supply much more detail, as well as understand that any advice you get here should not be considered the equivalent of hiring an actual lawyer) or just emotional support for your anger at your sister (in which case, this should be in the BBQ Pit along with other rants)? ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2004, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-soon-should-an-estate-be-settled-after-someone-dies/277353/3 "2004-11-30T19:59:43Z")
Wrong forum. Not sure whether it belongs in GQ or IMHO, but there’s certainly no big issue to debate. Speaking as a nonlawyer (but a former trusts & estates paralegal), there’s rarely a reason to keep an estate open so long. But without the particulars, I can’t judge this one. And with the particulars, I still won’t go there. ---
**Author:** ![tnpat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6bbea6/32.png) [@tnpat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnpat)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2004, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-soon-should-an-estate-be-settled-after-someone-dies/277353/4 "2004-11-30T20:04:51Z")
I was very wrong to post here, I am new to this and should have read before typing. I’m sorry. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2004, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-soon-should-an-estate-be-settled-after-someone-dies/277353/5 "2004-11-30T22:16:26Z")
OK, I’ll move it for you, to IMHO. But, basically, it sounds like you need to get a lawyer. And (not a legal opinion) you should be reimbursed, from the estate, for any expenditures that you incurred during this period. ---
**Author:** ![jimmmy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/73ab20/32.png) [@jimmmy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimmmy)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2004, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-soon-should-an-estate-be-settled-after-someone-dies/277353/6 "2004-11-30T23:44:51Z")
Laws vary by State. If tn stands for Tennessee here might be a helpful site. [http://www.justiceforyall.com/docs/executor.asp](http://www.justiceforyall.com/docs/executor.asp) FWIW it looks like the state designates a set fee for the executor, if it is not part of the Will ---
**Author:** ![Ca3799](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2004, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-soon-should-an-estate-be-settled-after-someone-dies/277353/7 "2004-11-30T23:48:51Z")
I’m no lawyer, but have a friend going through something similar. Read the will, know what is written there. My friend then approached the judge with complaints of her sister not doing her duty. It took some lawyering and foot stomping, but it looks like things are rolling again now.