BobKamman
Level 15

@Terry53029  "Probate is a lot more expensive than setting up a simple trust"

Not where I live.  Perhaps in states with archaic laws like New York and California -- unfortunately, where many of the national media are headquartered, with writers like you who think there is a federal probate code.  And it's absurd to suggest putting one asset in a trust, while leaving the rest to be probated.  

Where I live, though, it's a misdemeanor for tax preparers not to report elder abuse or elder neglect to an agency that investigates it.  The scenario here certainly waves a few red flags.