Answer:
Questions regarding state law are best posted in the state forums; it's only luck when a Guru happens to know a state specific answer.
Generally, an estate remains open until the decedent's affairs have been settled. Heirs may pressure a personal representative to close an estate so they can get "their" money. The IRS may also pressure a personal representative to close an estate, but they will not if they agree there still unresolved issues. I doubt that any state has a mandatory closure date as the state would have no reason to care.
Marion Morrison's (John Wayne's) estate is still open even though he died in 1979. The estate still has revenues from his films and the family is still fighting over the money.
First published on BankersOnline.com 10/31/11
print
share