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Arizona Probate Questions & Answers
3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Banking and Probate for Arizona on
Q: Is the beneficiary on the deed to my deceased sister's home obligated to reimburse me for a mortgage payment?

My sister had a beneficiary deed on her home in Arizona. The beneficiary is an ex-friend who is also the named executor of her estate. The mortgage was being paid through automatic payments from an account in South Carolina.(where she used to live) I am the beneficiary of that POD account. Because... Read more »

David Gerszewski
David Gerszewski
answered on Feb 28, 2023

I would recommend you talk to an attorney in your state as new York law may be different. If it was in Arizona we would recommend submitting a claim as creditor of the estate for the mortgage payment.

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3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Banking and Probate for Arizona on
Q: Is the beneficiary on the deed to my deceased sister's home obligated to reimburse me for a mortgage payment?

My sister had a beneficiary deed on her home in Arizona. The beneficiary is an ex-friend who is also the named executor of her estate. The mortgage was being paid through automatic payments from an account in South Carolina.(where she used to live) I am the beneficiary of that POD account. Because... Read more »

James L. Arrasmith
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James L. Arrasmith PRO label
answered on Mar 2, 2023

As a beneficiary of the POD account, you may have a claim to the funds in the account. However, whether the beneficiary of the deed is obligated to reimburse you for the mortgage payment may depend on the terms of your sister's estate plan and any applicable state laws.

If your...
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1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Arizona on
Q: I have some questions regarding a probate case I am the sole beneficiary of.

As the sole beneficiary of my deceased mothers estate I feel as though I have been mistreated and ignored and lied to by the executor and the probate attorney.I am trying to connect with someone who can help walk me through what to do in this situation

Andre L. Pennington
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Andre L. Pennington
answered on Feb 27, 2023

You should reach out to an attorney that specializes in probate law.

1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy, Civil Litigation, Collections and Probate for Arizona on
Q: Is it possible to "Pierce the Vail of an LLC" that has an Invalid LLC address?

I won a judgment against a Defendant that has transferred all of their assets into an LLC they have never used until my lawsuit. The LLC was created in 2019 at a rented space for one year, but never actually used. The Defendant moved out of that location and never found another. The Defendant has... Read more »

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Jan 11, 2023

Probably not bc of an incorrect address although your description of the chain of events might give rise to setting aside all those asset transfers as fraudulent.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Arizona on
Q: From Glendale AZ. Quit Claim a home to a non-family member.

From Glendale AZ. My son passed, single, with no will, and no children but a live-in girlfriend. All his belongings, including the home, go to his father and me. He made a dying declaration that he wanted the house to go to his girlfriend. We would like to honor that wish. It is my... Read more »

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Dec 26, 2022

A quit claim deed passes title to property to the grantee of the deed. There is no “loan” required. Title passes subject to all existing liens, assessments, and encumbrances.

If your son is the borrower on a loan which is secured by a mortgage or deed of trust giving his creditor a...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Probate for Arizona on
Q: Im trying to take over my father's land it was sign over to him long ago I was wondering if I can get it

Im just trying to do what I can he past away in 2018 and my own family hasn't done a thing I'll pay almost anything

Ilene L McCauley
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Ilene L McCauley
answered on Sep 12, 2022

Thank you for your question. It is important that you know that transferring real estate under circumstances like this can be very complicated. I recommend that you work in stages. The first thing your must do is find out if your father is still the legal owner of the property. Contact a real... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Civil Litigation and Probate for Arizona on
Q: Sister got quitclaim deed and mobile title transfer for dads places, specialist determined its forged do I have a case?

My dad had brain surgery, but my sister is claiming he signed a quitclaim deed for his house to her less than 2 months later but the signature doesn't match his. He has since passed away and we didn't find out until over a month later that she did this when we were about to move forward... Read more »

Peter H. Westby
Peter H. Westby
answered on Aug 1, 2022

From the information you provided it sounds like you may well have a case with merit. I recommend that you consult with an attorney who handles probate litigation matters. Your lawyer will need to know more of the facts and learn more about the handwriting specialist you hired before he or she... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Insurance Bad Faith, Divorce, Estate Planning and Probate for Arizona on
Q: My dad was staying in a hotel that his insurance company paid for while his house was being repaired but he just died.

Me and my sister are his heirs but my mom(divorced) is telling me that since the insurance company is rebuilding part of the house to keep it up to code, that they're actually going to charge for the repairs. Is that really true and what are mine and my sisters options? And does my mom have... Read more »

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jul 18, 2022

An Arizona attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. I'm very sorry about the loss of your father. Your question is a little bit complex and straddles a number of categories; I can only address the insurance-related ones. The insurance company's decision... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Arizona on
Q: My sister lived and died in New Mexico. She left a will. Do I need probate lawyer from NM? I live in AZ

She left 60,000 for me and my brother. She has a husband we cannot locate so the bank won’t release the money

Peter H. Westby
Peter H. Westby
answered on Jul 18, 2022

You will need to hire a New Mexico lawyer to assist you in administering your sister's estate. Ask your New Mexico lawyer if your sister's estate qualifies for expedited treatment as a small estate or if a probate will be needed.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Real Estate Law and Probate for Arizona on
Q: How do I claim my grandma's house without a will?

It's a complicated story. I've lived with my grandma since I was 10 days old, she claimed guardianship of me because her daughter was deemed unfit. My grandma passed in 12/2019 and I've still stayed here as I have nowhere else to go. I don't have friends and most of the family... Read more »

Anthony M. Avery
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Anthony M. Avery
answered on Jul 15, 2022

Hire a competent AZ lawyer to determine Heirship. If you are an Heir, then record an Affidavit of Heirship and file suit for Partition against the other owners.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Family Law, Child Custody, Probate and Estate Planning for Arizona on
Q: What’s your opinion of the probate process?Under what conditions do you recommend a Living Trust?

How do I protect my children from abusive relatives if something happens to me?

How long will it take to set up my Trust?

Nina Whitehurst
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Nina Whitehurst
answered on Jul 11, 2022

Probate is expensive, time-consuming, difficult and public. I am not a fan. I do try to design plans for my clients that avoid probate.

You can help protect your children from abusive relatives if you put their inheritance in a trust with a professional fiduciary in charge. That way an...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Arizona on
Q: can an executor of a trust be removed if he has failed to inform the beneficiary when it became irrevocable 2 1/2 yrs

my uncle has yet to tell me anything about a trust my mother left me when she passed away almost 3 years ago I only know a little because of my brother telling me .I've asked my uncle about it and still nothing .I think he is trying to cause a hardship that way I would be inclined to sell my... Read more »

Gregory Christopher Poulos
Gregory Christopher Poulos
answered on Jun 17, 2022

When a person has a trust, it becomes irrevocable upon their death. The successor trustee of has a fiduciary and legal obligation to report to the beneficiaries of a trust.

At a minimum, assuming you are a beneficiary, you should have been provided with, at a minimum, a copy of the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Arizona on
Q: My son died without a will. I am the heir. Can I quit claim the house to his partner after it is quit claimed to me.

My son's last wish (no will) was that his partner own the home they lived in. Being the heir (his mother), with him having with no children or wife, the home will be quit claimed to me. I wish to quit claim it to his partner asap. Can I do this or will she have to be approved through the... Read more »

Nina Whitehurst
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Nina Whitehurst
answered on Jun 15, 2022

As with so many things, there are many issues to consider. Yes, once you are the owner you can quitclaim the property to anybody you want. You should talk to your CPA about whether this will trigger a gift tax for you. Most likely it will not, but that is an issue to pin down. And, yes, there... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Arizona on
Q: If someone has power of attorney over me at 21 can I move to another state with some friends without their consent?

Can I as a legal adult be forcibly removed and will my friends get in trouble?

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on May 17, 2022

You put this in the categories. This is not a contracts, criminal, or family law matter. It's something that would be better asked of a probate attorney.

Is your power of attorney revocable? If it is, you should revoke it. Again, that is something you should discuss with a probate...
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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Arizona on
Q: A decedent passed in September 2021. Their life partner is not allowing and desendants on the property for willed items.

My father passed away September 2021. He left several items in his will to me, and left many items unresolved in his estate. He lived on property owned by his 10 year long life partner (unmarried). The partner is not allowing anyone on site nor is she answering any requests for specific heavily... Read more »

Gregory Christopher Poulos
Gregory Christopher Poulos
answered on May 15, 2022

Unfortunately this happens too often. The life partner probably feels some entitlement and does not want to deal with the fact that she (or he) has no legal right to your father's property. It is concerning that this has been allowed to linger since September, but I your recommend drafting a... Read more »

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Arizona on
Q: What happens if the Maricopa County Public Fiduciary failed at locating proper next of kin or an honorable discharge?

My husband was found dead from suicide in 2005 and was handed over to the public fiduciary office as an "indigent" but they failed to figure out that he was a veteran with an honorable discharge or to locate me in the same county, or his father who was listed in the phone book in AZ!... Read more »

Andre L. Pennington
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Andre L. Pennington
answered on Mar 26, 2022

In short, it depends on the steps taken by the fiduciary. I recommend contacting an experienced probate attorney to discuss.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Arizona on
Q: My mom had executor/probate powers over her mother's estate, my mom died before finishing it. Am I responsible for it?

My grandmother passed away, leaving behind my mother and her sister. My mother is/was the executor/probate/representative for grandmother. My mother passed away in January and I am now her executor/responsible person. Am I in charge of my grandmother's estate now too, or does that fall to my... Read more »

Andre L. Pennington
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Andre L. Pennington
answered on Mar 25, 2022

Sorry for your losses ... it will go by the order in the Will or if there is no will it sounds like your Aunt will need to petition the court to replace your mother as personal representative. It may be helpful to contact an experienced probate attorney to help guide through the process. Good... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Arizona on
Q: In AZ probate law, how do I handle "waiver of of bond" when there is no will and the heirs to the estate are all minors?

I am petitioning to be personal rep. of my brother's estate (informal probate). He died without a will. He has 5 children under the age of 18. He was never married and my sister and I are his only siblings. Our parents are dead. His estate is estimated to be less than $20,000. It says that all... Read more »

Andre L. Pennington
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Andre L. Pennington
answered on Mar 25, 2022

Estates that are valued at less than $75,000 are not required to go through probate. You should contact an experienced probate attorney to guide you in the right direction, but here is a link to help:

https://superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/media/4062/pbse1z.pdf

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Family Law and Probate for Arizona on
Q: My mother died on the 26th of feb. And her new husband is refusing to tell me any information at all

My mom was in proccess of doing a will but she only got a few things writen down and it wasnt signed or anything. And she was filling for a disoulution of marriage at time of deqth too

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Mar 15, 2022

Those are a lot of things that almost happened.

If the will isn't completed and signed, it's not valid.

If the divorce isn't finalized, she died a married woman.

Unless there was a prior will, it looks like her case will go through probate and the...
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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody, Juvenile Law and Probate for Arizona on
Q: Dad had temporary legal decision making but went to prison my rights fully intact, can I go get my kids from the Stepmom

My rights are fully intact and dad is now in prison and the stepmother is not letting me see or speak to my children can I get the cops and go get my kids

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Jan 17, 2022

I think just showing up and taking the kids would do more harm than good, and most likely, the police aren't going to assist you; they will instead tell you that you need to go file with the Court.

If I were you, I'd file a Petition to Modify Legal Decision-making, Parenting...
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