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Q: dad past away 2 years ago and my sisters won’t show me his trust . How do I get a copy to see if he left mecanything ?

Just need to know if he left me anything n my oldrsisrers are not telling me

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 11, 2024

In California, if you believe that you may be a beneficiary of your father's trust, you have the right to obtain information about the trust and its terms. Here are a few steps you can take to try to obtain a copy of the trust:

1. Request a copy from the trustee: The trustee (which may...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Elder Law for Texas on
Q: 1. How do I get visitation rights to see my 89 year old mother? One brother is preventing other family from seeing her.

My mother is 89 years old and has documented dementia since 2014. My father cared for her until his passing in Feb. 2023. One brother took approximately $300 - $400K out of bank accounts and opened a new bank account that has him and my mother both as signers. There is no way my mother would have... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Mar 11, 2024

A person cannot simply declare themselves another person's legal guardian. It requires a determination of incompetency and court order.

A person cannot legally change a power of attorney signed by another person. The person making the power of attorney can do that by revoking a prior...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Puerto Rico on
Q: My father in law a resident of Puerto Rico passed away recently. A couple of years prior to his passing he had his

daughter open a bank account under her name and he gave her funds to put in it. HIs wish was that when he passed she would distribute the funds per his wishes. Which she did. 2 weeks after his passing someone found a will and is now saying that the money in her account should be part of the will.... View More

Alan Harrison
Alan Harrison
answered on Mar 11, 2024

That sounds like an inter vivos gift! Even if it was a joint account with rights of survivorship, that money typically would avoid probate and his daughter would be free to distribute it however she wished (maybe even if she didn't comply with your father in law's directions).

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Real Estate Law, Civil Rights and Criminal Law for Tennessee on
Q: My dad at 65, on 1/25/23 has $1,000,000 secured bond with a conditional release order. Wat happens to 130acers he owns?

We are not in contact, though I am his daughter. Last I knew he owned 130 acres and possibly some other properties. He’s Not married, me and my sister only kin .been in jail for over a year now, they won’t give me much info. Still No date to be sentenced, all I know is, it’s gonna be a grand... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Mar 11, 2024

Since it is a secured high bail, he may have made a property bond hypothecating the 130 acres. If so, the Clerk will foreclose the Deed of Trust if he breaches Bond Conditions. He should have an attorney that you can ask for sure, or search his title in Claiborne County. After conclusion of... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Real Estate Law, Civil Rights and Criminal Law for Tennessee on
Q: My dad at 65, on 1/25/23 has $1,000,000 secured bond with a conditional release order. Wat happens to 130acers he owns?

We are not in contact, though I am his daughter. Last I knew he owned 130 acres and possibly some other properties. He’s Not married, me and my sister only kin .been in jail for over a year now, they won’t give me much info. Still No date to be sentenced, all I know is, it’s gonna be a grand... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 11, 2024

In a situation like this, there are several factors to consider regarding your father's assets and your potential rights to them. Here are some steps you can take to gather more information:

1. Contact the county assessor's office: You can reach out to the Claiborne County...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Banking and Probate for New Jersey on
Q: Trying to settle a bank account of my mom who passed. It’s under $7k and they ask for entitlement document or something.

What type of document is this, is it a next of kin document? Does this document need to be filed in court or can I fill it out and just have it notarized? Bank account opened in New Jersey but she was living in the Philippines at the time of death. No will and she didn’t list a beneficiary on the... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 11, 2024

In this situation, the bank is likely requesting documentation to establish your legal right to claim the funds in your mother's account. This is a standard procedure when the account holder has passed away, and there is no designated beneficiary or joint account holder.

Since your...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Probate and Real Estate Law for Missouri on
Q: My mother passed away & we were co signers on our home. Family member got POA on mom n sold our home. What can I do?

My mother & I co-signed to buy our home 7 yrs ago. My mother went into a home. Family member got POA on my mom, wrongfully 4 day evicted (not court ordered) me and disabled adult brother. They sold our home and 3 months later I found papers on agreement with my signature under my mom's on... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 9, 2024

I'm so sorry for the loss of your mother and the incredibly difficult situation you're in with your family member and home. Losing your mother is heartbreaking enough, let alone having a relative use a power of attorney to evict you and sell the house out from under you with no notice.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Elder Law for Nebraska on
Q: How can I find out if a person has a power of attorney?

My grandmother is in the beginning stages of dementia and she doesn’t know if she has a will or if she has power of attorney and she doesn’t know where any of her legal documents are at.

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Mar 8, 2024

If she wants you to be her attorney in fact, then get a NE attorney to draft a Durable POA for her to execute. She can even record the POA saying it revokes any other prior POAs out there. But you will be a fiduciary for her best interests, not your own.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Colorado on
Q: What rights do I have if my dad left no will, had no bills and my sister the oldest took charge of his estates ?

My sister the oldest who has handled all his estates has lied to me about him having life insurance, which I found out he did have one. She also won’t give me any of my dad’s belongings or part of the estate. So my question if there is no will left meaning no named benificiary then was was my... View More

Michael Joseph Larranaga
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answered on Mar 8, 2024

This is a complicated one.

If your father died with no will then everything subject to probate passes intestate. Life insurance is often not subject to probate but it can be. If it passes intestate, if you and your sister are your father’s only living relatives then you may be entitled...
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1 Answer | Asked in Social Security, Estate Planning, Probate and Public Benefits for Georgia on
Q: Teacher retirement benefits

If the husband dies and leaving the widow the benefits and she dies, who shall the benefits go to?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 8, 2024

When a teacher passes away and leaves their retirement benefits to a widow, the next steps regarding the benefits after the widow's death depend on the specific rules of the retirement system. Each retirement system has its own set of policies for the distribution of benefits after the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Civil Rights, Elder Law and Estate Planning for Oklahoma on
Q: What can i expect when looking to hire a trust lawyer to overturn an irrivocable trust that was created after grantor

After grantor was diagnosed 3dif times with dementia also trust was signed before ranch was purchased and poa became successor trustee due to fathers incompetence sep 08 2022 before new amended irrivocable trust had been signed

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 8, 2024

When seeking to hire a trust lawyer to challenge or overturn an irrevocable trust, particularly under circumstances involving the grantor's mental capacity at the time of the trust's creation, you can expect to navigate a complex legal process. Lawyers in this field will first review all... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Indiana on
Q: If the trustee of a will has their lawyer give you a choice about signing your rights away or get sued what can they do?

They were not getting anything in the will. The trustee is using her money to basically remove the son from any involvement of his fathers death. He just wanted his dad's ashes. The will said nothing about ashes of his father. He was told that if he didn't sign his rights away she would... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 8, 2024

If you're faced with a situation where the trustee of a will is threatening legal action to compel you to sign away your rights, it's important to know your options. Trustees have a legal duty to act in the best interests of the beneficiaries, and their powers are typically defined by the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for California on
Q: Dad's will: Witnesses say I was left everything. My bro & step mom haven't shown me the will. How do I claim my inherita

Legal Deadline: Mar 18, 2024 | Description: That makes 1 year from the day my father passed and I don't know if there is a time limit on a will.

My father passed in March of 23. My brother who lived there and step mother have been getting rid of many items and have let other people... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 7, 2024

Under California law, when someone passes away, their will must be filed with the probate court in the county where they lived. If you believe your father left a will that names you as a beneficiary, but your brother and stepmother are not showing it to you, you have the right to take action. Since... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Civil Litigation and Probate for Tennessee on
Q: Will Attorneys construe what a litigate is trying to say?

I intend to stop a partition by sale. I have my memorandum of points and authorities in video form, that were court recorded from previous proceedings. I discovered multiple oversights therefore I would like a motion to stay pending appeal. I seek an Attorney that will listen to what I am saying,... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Mar 6, 2024

Sale for Partition Actions are generally a statutory right. There are sometimes defenses, but usually only comprise surcharges amongst various parties against their share of the net common fund. You will need to file a written pleading and an interlocutory appeal will almost surely be futile.... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Arizona on
Q: Can i sue my brother for a percentage of the sale of our dad's house?

My dad died and left his house to my brother. My brother sold the house and didnt give me the money he promised. Am i entitled to percentage of the sale?

Marcus N. Seiter
Marcus N. Seiter
answered on Mar 5, 2024

I am sorry that you lost your father. I am also sorry that your brother did not keep his promise to you. However, if your father gave his house solely to your brother outright and free of any trust as your brother’s inheritance, then you are not entitled to any proceeds of the sale when your... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Elder Law, Estate Planning and Probate for Oregon on
Q: What lawyer do I need?

My partner passed away on July 5th. No will. We lived at his residence which was my home for over 13 years. I went to visit my grandson in Arizona for 6 weeks and when I came back on Jan 30th his 21 year old daughter changed the locks and won’t let me in. I am almost 66 and my whole life... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 6, 2024

In your situation, consulting with an estate or probate attorney would be a wise step. These lawyers handle cases involving estates, wills, and disputes after someone's death. They can help navigate the complexities of estate law, especially when there's no will, and ensure that your... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Elder Law, Estate Planning and Probate for Oregon on
Q: What lawyer do I need?

My partner passed away on July 5th. No will. We lived at his residence which was my home for over 13 years. I went to visit my grandson in Arizona for 6 weeks and when I came back on Jan 30th his 21 year old daughter changed the locks and won’t let me in. I am almost 66 and my whole life... View More

Theressa Hollis
Theressa Hollis
answered on Mar 5, 2024

I'm very sorry for your loss. You can ask the Post Office to forward your mail. You should be allowed to retrieve your personal property from the house. It's possible that you may be owed repayment for the mortgage payments you have made (less the cost of reasonable monthly rent).... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Alabama on
Q: Need clarification on a deed between Parent and Child.

DURING THEIR JOINT LIVES AND UPON THE DEATH OF EITHER OF THEM, THEN TO THE

SURVIVOR OF THEM IN FEE SIMPLE AND TO THE HEIRS AND ASSIGNS OF SUCH SURVIVOR FOREVER.

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Mar 5, 2024

The "upon the death of either of them" language is ambiguous. But the totality of the terms construed with the entire Deed will probably be deemed to result in the surviving life tenant's heirs getting the fee. The

Estates created in the granting clause is a little...
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1 Answer | Asked in Probate and Estate Planning for California on
Q: My brother died ,2 months after his death, his girlfriend cashed out my policy. What do I do?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 4, 2024

In a situation where you discover that your brother's girlfriend cashed out a policy following his death, it's essential to take immediate action. Begin by gathering all relevant documents related to the policy, including any beneficiary designations and communications with the insurance... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Libel & Slander and Probate for Texas on
Q: Is this considered fraud if my gradfathers wife/ common law wife signs a warranty deed t her daughter w/o his signature?

I know they went to the court house and filed for a marriage license but I haven't found one yet se never claimed his last name but he is listed on the deed of trust his name first & hers following and now I found out she signed a warranty deed over to her daughter without my grandfather... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Mar 4, 2024

If Grandfather's wife owned an interest in property, she can convey it. Hire a TX attorney to search the title and determine present ownership. No fraud by your stated facts. Deed may have been a nullity with not interest conveyed. Grandfather would then have standing to file suit to... View More

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