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Estate Planning Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Civil Litigation for Oregon on
Q: What does a person do when you suspect a trustee is actually fabricating attorney invoices, and fake checks.

I believe the trustee of my mother's trust is committing fraud. I suspect he has fabricated an invoice from an attorneys office, says he retained the attorney for an appeal. ( There was no appeal after probate hearings) there's a check made out to attorney for $4000.00 that looks fake. If... View More

Theressa Hollis
Theressa Hollis
answered on Apr 23, 2024

You could certainly inform the attorney of your suspicions. However, he will probably not be able to tell you if he has been retained by the Trustee due to attorney/client privilege rules. You can ask the Trustee for a copy of the front and back of the check that has been processed by the bank.... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Oregon on
Q: Does a Last Will and Testament trump a Bargin and Sale Deed? Which has the stronger legal case?
Theressa Hollis
Theressa Hollis
answered on Apr 23, 2024

A Last Will and Testament only controls assets that need to go through probate after the testator's death. This means that any assets that were given away, sold or that had a joint owner or beneficiary named are not controlled by the Will. If the person signed a Deed that was recorded before... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Utah on
Q: What is the percentage a nonprofessional ( a family member) trustee can charge a family trust?
Wesley Winsor
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Wesley Winsor
answered on Apr 22, 2024

In Utah, there is no set percentage for what a nonprofessional (family member) trustee can charge a family trust. Compensation is typically based on what is reasonable given the duties performed, the time involved, and the complexity of the trust administration. The trust document may specify the... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: Does a Trust have to be created in the state of residency or could it be in the state where you own real assests?

I have had 2 OH lawyers say that an OH lawyer has to create my Trust since I reside in OH, but I own several rental properties and a second home in TN. The TN lawyer said he absolutely can create my trust.

Does one state trump the other or is it a free for all?

Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on Apr 22, 2024

You can probably use an attorney in either state. I would defer to your state of residency, though, since other assets could end up in the trust. Further, you may want a will that addresses your trust and the TN lawyer cannot draft a will for an OH resident. Location of the successor trustee(s) and... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: Does a Trust have to be created in the state of residency or could it be in the state where you own real assests?

I have had 2 OH lawyers say that an OH lawyer has to create my Trust since I reside in OH, but I own several rental properties and a second home in TN. The TN lawyer said he absolutely can create my trust.

Does one state trump the other or is it a free for all?

Nicholas P. Weiss
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answered on Apr 23, 2024

Both Ohio and Tennessee are part of the Uniform Trust Code. That means that a trust in either state will be enforceable in the other, so it doesn't really matter who drafts. There may be other planning reasons to stick with an Ohio lawyer, but it's not this one.

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Banking for Wisconsin on
Q: What do I do with a Living Trust that I am named in, forwarded to me from a family member in 2023. My Uncle passed away

In 2012. I had no idea he named me in his Trust!

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 21, 2024

If you have been named in your late Uncle's Living Trust, which was forwarded to you by a family member in 2023, there are several steps you should take:

1. Read the Trust document carefully to understand your role and the assets you are entitled to receive.

2. Contact the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Employment Law, Estate Planning and Banking for Texas on
Q: Statues of limitations where do I send annuity checks that were written 2010?

I called Nationwide Bank to get canceled checks of my annunity checks that were cashed by someone else in June of 2010. The representative at Nationwide bank told me I had to report it to the Department of Labor, I called DOL, I was told they didn't handle this. Can anyone tell me who I can... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 21, 2024

I apologize for the confusion and difficulties you are facing regarding your annuity checks from 2010. Here are a few steps you can take to address the situation:

1. Contact the annuity provider: Reach out directly to the company that issued the annuity. They should have records of the...
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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Florida on
Q: What do I need to do to make a legal document that in case of death of my husband and myself at same time who inherits

We want to make sure legally that only 2 of my children and 1 of his split everything 3 ways and for it to be legally binding

Marc J. Soss
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Marc J. Soss
answered on Apr 22, 2024

You need to create a Last Will and Testament and/or Revocable Trust to accomplish your goal. If you want to ensure that one child is disinherited I highly recommend that you utilize the services of a legal expert and not an online form. In the alternative, you could title your financial accounts as... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for California on
Q: Hi. I have a friend who was previously deemed incapacitated but is now able to inherit the sums as afforded her by trust

In the docs, she's mentioned as co-trustee and is at least be given $50k while her brother has purchased a yacht, Corvette and has taken funds to establish a new trust called the MORGAN LONG FAMILY TRUST! The trust amount is over $10mm

Karn Thapar
Karn Thapar
answered on Apr 22, 2024

It sounds like your friend's situation is quite complex. If your friend was previously deemed incapacitated but is now able to inherit from a trust, it suggests that there have been significant legal and perhaps medical changes in her circumstances.

It's good to hear that...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Immigration Law and Real Estate Law on
Q: I need official datas about a deceased person from Virginia. Is it possoble to request the offical datas online?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 20, 2024

Yes, you can request official data about a deceased person from Virginia online. The Virginia Department of Health’s Division of Vital Records provides access to death certificates and other vital records. These documents can be requested through their official website or through other online... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for California on
Q: My dad died in 1979 and his wife tried to steal estate she died 3 yrs later but hired lawyer they hid trust

I cant find my dad's estate house, trust and alot of mineral rights but can't afford lawyer how can I find them I'm representative of estate only child only heir but she hid in her aka names

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 19, 2024

I'm sorry to hear about the difficulties you're facing regarding your father's estate. Here are some steps you can take to try to locate the assets without hiring a lawyer:

1. Check county records: Visit the county recorder's office where your father's properties...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Washington DC on
Q: If I went and filled a will with the courts and was appointed executor would any new wills have to be contested

I filed my father’s will and was appointed executor by the courts but a few days after I did this someone else has presented a new will. Would they have to contest mine since the court already filed it or would theirs automatically be valid since it was more recent? And would they automatically... View More

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Apr 19, 2024

The Register of Wills will automatically convert the proceedings to Judicial Probate, and schedule a hearing to determine which Will is valid. You will likely be converted from a PR to a Special Administrator, which limits what you can do, pending determination by the court as to which will is the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Hawaii on
Q: Is it normal to be asked by an attorney about my medication situation, my government situation & names of my kids ?

My dad recently passed away and name me and my 2 older sisters in his will.

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Apr 18, 2024

A Hawaii estate planning attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for four weeks. I'm sorry for the loss of your father. It could depend on the role of the attorney - tax, private dispute, etc. As a general short answer, without practicing in this area and not knowing the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Landlord - Tenant and Estate Planning for California on
Q: If a house title is in a trust fund, can the family continue to pay the mortgage without transferring the deed?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 18, 2024

Under California law, if a house title is held in a trust, the trust itself is considered the legal owner of the property. The trustee, who is responsible for managing the trust assets, has the authority to make decisions regarding the property, including paying the mortgage.

In this...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law, Tax Law and Probate for Puerto Rico on
Q: How do probate laws in NY and PR affect each other? My late husband's properties will be in probate simultaneously.
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 18, 2024

Probate laws in New York (NY) and Puerto Rico (PR) are separate and distinct, as they are two different jurisdictions. However, if your late husband owned properties in both NY and PR, the probate process will need to be initiated in each jurisdiction simultaneously. Here's what you should... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Tennessee on
Q: Division of inheritance when one or more children die. Spousal and grands concern. Following is more in depth question.

Three children. All married. Want to put the house in all three of their names. However if one child dies, I want the remaining two to get the third chip’s portion to divide. I do Not want my child’s widower Or even my grandchildren to inherit that portion. Strictly want my children to have... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Apr 18, 2024

You could convey to each of the three kids as joint tenants with right of survivorship. Rarely do I suggest that estate but it appears to meet your wishes. However during the three, then two childs' lives somebody has to pay taxes, insurance and possibly a deed of trust note. Also the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Minnesota on
Q: I recently found out my mom had a life insurance policy at her time of death in 2010 that my brother received because he

Was next of kin. Without informing me the money was split up between my 2 brothers and 1 sister and I didn't receive a dime. What can I do to get my fair share of the money I'm owed?

Robert Kane
Robert Kane
answered on Apr 18, 2024

The specific facts of the situation will dictate how you should proceed. There are numerous questions that need to be answered. To start:

Have you confronted him?

The insurance company should have contacted all beneficiaries directly. Why didn't this happen?

How was...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Probate for California on
Q: What is the Dead Man's Statute?

My father passed away, his wife refused to give his children his estate documents. I filed a petition with the court and her response stated - "I am aware that; I and my husband, prepared a Revocable Living Trust on or about July 11, 2023. Shortly after creating the Trust, my husband,... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 17, 2024

In California, the Dead Man's Statute, also known as the Evidence Code Section 1261, limits the admissibility of statements made by a deceased person in certain legal proceedings. The statute is designed to protect the estate of a deceased person from fraudulent claims.

Under the Dead...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Elder Law for Tennessee on
Q: My parents purchased a trust in Tennessee, the person who sold it was not an attorney and the fee went to the non attor

the fee was paid to a non legal office , the attorney drafted the trust and everything looks good, but is it legal for a non attorney to sell a trust and the money paid to the non attorney?

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Apr 17, 2024

Trusts are not bought and sold. Often a trustee will sell trust corpus in parts or whole. Either you misunderstand what has occurred, or there is a fraud involved. You might be talking about the purchase of a Deed of Trust and the Note it secures, which is the transfer of a mortgage... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Missouri on
Q: what rights does the co exec of a trust have if the executor of the trust is not sharing information?

mother recently passed and left home to 4 siblings and executor is not sharing any info on insurance

Osama Khalil
Osama Khalil
answered on Apr 17, 2024

If one co-executor of a trust isn't sharing information, the other co-executor still has rights to access that information. In this case, if the executor isn't sharing details about insurance on a home left to four siblings after their mother's passing, the other co-executor can... View More

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