[Tazlo]

Another thing...and this is a trade secret so I will probably hear from the lawyers on this one....but...if you have a simple estate, not necessarily small, but simple...and if you have the paperwork in order before hand...the will, etc. properly drawn up by an attorney...you can probably handle probate by yourself...but don't dare quote me...:)

Not in every state. My home state has a pretty nasty inheritance tax return that has to be filed fairly quickly after probate is started and I wouldn't attempt to fill that out on my own.

Great thread! I live 800 miles away from my next of kin and recently covered this topic with my parents. None of my family members has been to my present abode, so no one has seen where things are filed or my hiding places, except in pictures. I've written up a few lists of directions and a detailed asset/liability list, but I think I'm going to make some additions and sending them a DNA sample, thanks to ideas presented in this thread.

While they know where I keep the extra garage remote and my extra keys, I still have a worry. If I would be killed while on a trip, I don't know how anyone could ever find my car at the airport.

[JD86]

Great ideas. Two suggestions, on the probate you may still be able to do some of it yourself, if you want to...and just hire a CPA to do the tax return. There are two ways to work with lawyers...tell them what you will do and what you want them to do...or just give it all to them. It is easier that way, but more expensive if they do all the work. Of course, it saves money if you think you can't or don't want to handle it.

Second, about your car at the airport, make sure your parents have the make, model and license plate #, the local authorities could locate the car for them. Good thinking on your part. Thanks for sharing.