Wednesday, February 20, 2008

A Miracle In Three Parts

Yesterday I signed some papers at my lawyer’s office and it was a miracle. It means my dad’s estate gets its share of his late brother Reynold’s estate without going through probate.

The Public Trustee’s office had insisted on probate. It was policy and no reasoned, logical argument offered by my lawyer held any sway. Time and cost aside, it meant that very likely a trustee would have to be appointed for my mentally ill sister as the Probate Court might not accept personal service of the notice of probate on her. That opened up all manner of possibilities including, but not restricted to, her challenging dad’s will.

We got working on the probate and I still asked the Universe for a change to the policy. I asked for matters to be settled without probate. I thanked the Universe for making it happen.
Last August the PT’s office changed its policy allowing for estates under $5,000 to be paid out without need of probate.

It was a miracle.

However, dad’s share was more than $5,000 so it wasn’t a miracle I could use, but it helped two of my cousins. I thanked the Universe for making it happen.

I filled out the forms, gave them to my lawyer to file, and kept pestering the Universe.
In the fall the PT’s office decided to pay out all the other beneficiaries. It was the second part of the miracle. I thanked the Universe for making this happen. I kept asking for the probate requirement to be removed and continued to thank the Universe for making the change.

Meanwhile, staffing issues at my lawyer’s office meant probate hadn’t been filed yet. I met with her in late November, went over the papers, and signed something. It was ready to go.

In December I learned from my lawyer than another change was underway at the PT’s office. In it, payouts under $15,000 could be made without probate. It was recommended we not file probate. That seemed logical to me.

Even though I had the letter I still asked the Universe for the policy change and thanked it for making it happen. Earlier this month the policy change was finalized. I signed an indemnity form and now dad’s estate can be paid out.

I asked for a miracle. I got three of them.

Thank you, Universe.

9 comments:

Crabby McSlacker said...

Wow, that's pretty incredible!

I'll have to remember to check in the with universe a bit more often.

Actually, the universe has been so good to me already I'd be kind of embarrassed to ask for more... but perhaps I can nudge it to be a bit nicer to others who certainly deserve some kindness.

Leah J. Utas said...

It's okay to ask for yourself, Crabby, but asking for others is always good, too.
Just remember to say thanks for having already received it.

the Bag Lady said...

The Bag Lady is having a hard time not leaving a comment containing a bitter diatribe against the Public Trustee's office for all the grief we suffered over this!
Good for you for choosing to be positive about everything. The Bag Lady could perhaps learn from your example.

Leah J. Utas said...

Oh, dfBag lady, the PT's office has well earned the full measure of your bile.
This was my experience and it was positive and miraculous and I am grateful for how it shook out.
You have yours.

Ann (bunnygirl) said...

Yay for you that it's finally settled, and in a way that you're satisfied with!

Leah J. Utas said...

Thanks, Bunnygirl. I am satisified with how this turned out.

Reb said...

I am glad that it all worked out for you too. I received a "Beneficiary Survey" from the PT office...I wonder if they really want me to answer honestly?

Reb said...

or if it will do any good if I do.

Leah J. Utas said...

Reb - Tell the truth as it happened to you.
My policy on answering questions is tell the truth and hang the consequences.