answered on May 6, 2023
There is not enough information in your questions to provide a full answer. It may depend upon the amount of the check and the possible beneficiaries. If the amount of the check is below the amount required for filing probate in Arizona you may be able to contact the issuer and have them re-issue... View More 
answered on Aug 17, 2022
This sounds like you are attempting to use a beneficiary deed instead of a proper estate plan.
Beneficiary deeds are intended to be used for simple transfers of real property after a person's death. While what you are suggesting can be inserted in the deed, it is highly likely that... View More
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... View More
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... View More
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... View More
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... View More
I am in Arizona. I am the sole owner of the property. Do I need to file a deed revocation, revoking the beneficiary deed first, or will the quitclaim deed be sufficient to maintain chain of title?
answered on Mar 17, 2022
The proper way to do this is to record a revocation of the beneficiary deed and then record a deed from you to the trust. Quitclaim deeds are an invitation to potential disasters.
My stepmom and father passed away within two weeks of each other. My dad survived her by 10 days. The deed to their house is set up for right to survivorship. For probate purposes is my dad the sole owner of the house (since she passed away before him) or is it community property (split equally in... View More
answered on Jul 10, 2021
The answer to this question is in a reading of the deed. That document controls what happens.
For most Arizona deeds for married couples, the title is held in community property with an additional paragraph or page that says upon death the share goes to the surviving spouse. Older deeds... View More
I was a successor to the trust. I was told my step brother is now successor. My dad wanted a church to get a percentage, I was told she removed them from the trust. I was told by my step brothers wife in secret, that it was asked if I should be removed aswell. I have no paper work on what is an... View More
answered on Jul 4, 2021
Ms. Whitehurst is absolutely correct. You should request a copy of the trust. I suspect that you will not get a response and should consider hiring an attorney to make the request for you.
You have to understand though that if your step mother had the right under the trust to control the... View More
My sister and brother are executors of my mothers affairs. 9 years later my parents mtg servicing co sends statements to the estate of my parents both named both deceased. The deed is recorded with my name and the 2 executors. While 1 other brother and I are paying pymts taxes insurance and all... View More
answered on May 16, 2021
If nothing was filed with the courts, then they are only named as Executors, they have no power as they are not court appointed. I presume you are living in the property, but you need to speak with an attorney sooner rather than later. They are taking advantage of you, not following proper... View More
My step-dad left the house to my mom in his will. She never put it in her name. Both have passed. His wife illegally put the house deed in her name. We went through probate. I won. The judge said the wills are valid and she has no legal claim to the house. Illness,covid, and family deaths all hit... View More
answered on Apr 19, 2021
I agree with Mr. Pennington. You question is a bit confusing because you should have just done a deed of distribution from you as the Personal Representative to you as a beneficiary. It is unclear what you did and why you did it. I also recommend that you hire counsel to resolve this as soon as... View More
I know all of his grandchildren were named in his will but now my mom won’t tell me what this paper says beforehand......
answered on Apr 18, 2021
Totally agree with the other attorneys. I would not be surprised if you are presented with the document and asked to sign it right then and there. Unless you are totally comfortable with what it say and what it means. Do not do that. Ask for time to think about it and then call an attorney.
My husband is not my sons biological father and I want my son to have my home if something should happen to me. Although my husband is on the Mortgage it is my home.
answered on Mar 19, 2021
I agree with Mr. Pennington. I have seen too many cases where this is not done properly and when one party dies, the failure to plan this out creates very unintended and unfortunate events. This is further complicated by the fact that you are married. If you want to protect the potential gift of... View More
And Does a beneficiary have to waive all their rights in order to get an inheritance?
answered on Jul 20, 2020
I agree with my colleagues that this is pretty normal. What is missing from your question however is whether or not you have been provided with any information about the estate. If you have been provided any kind of accounting of what the estate consisted of, what the expenses were and what the... View More
answered on Jul 15, 2020
I would only add to Peter Westby's answer, which I agree with, that you should be aware that you or more likely the estate might be liable for the attorneys legal fees up to the point of termination. Your engagement agreement might control that.
My mother passed away a month ago. I am successor trustee of her revocable trust and executor of her will (she resided in AZ). I plan on selling her property right away. Am I required to transfer title in c/o my name as TTE? It was suggested I file informal probate bc she owed a substantial amount... View More
answered on Jun 8, 2020
There is a piece of information that may missing from your question. That is, whether the property was in the name of the trust or her name only. The answer to that question will help guide your question about which direction you have to go. If the house is in fact in the trust which your question... View More
answered on May 17, 2020
Thank you for your question. Unfortunately it is a complicated one that requires more information. At the outset, you refer to debtors, but presumably you mean creditors? The answer to this question really depends on a reading of the irrevocable trust to determine if the payments to the beneficiary... View More
answered on May 8, 2020
Title to vehicles are transfer with signatures on the truck title. Giving you the truck and keys, while evidence of your friend's intent does not give you title. The person or persons legally entitled to the truck, if there was no will, is your friend's family. You may want to reach out... View More
My father and I didn’t have a lot of contact over the years, but he did tell me both that he had a will and that I was included in it. I don’t know how to find out since there appear to be no records. I believe my half-sister is living in his home and possibly intentionally concealing his will.... View More
answered on Apr 16, 2020
I totally agree with attorney Pete Westby. I would suggest you do a search with the Maricopa County Recorder to determine whose name is on the title. Meeting with an experienced probate attorney is in order.
My ex husband and I were married for 15 years. We divorced in 2015. In 2016, my ex husband and I had moved back in together into the home we shared while we were married. If Feb 2018 we had a fight and he filed a restraining order against me, preventing me from returning to the house and getting... View More
answered on Mar 20, 2020
You may have to open a probate as a creditor of the estate, but I would suggest starting with correspondence to the son about this. Perhaps a letter from an attorney might help resolve this without going to court.
as his sole and separate property. 3 children are the beneficiary's.
Question: Does "divide equally" mean the son has to buy the home from the trust?
Or, does it mean son gets the home as parents wish and whatever is left in the trust is then divided equally 3 ways?
answered on Jan 9, 2020
I agree with the other attorneys who have responded. Understanding that I have not read the trust it appears possible that the trust is addressing two separate distributions - one for the home and a second general distribution to be divided equally between all three children. If the trust says the... View More
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