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Questions Answered by Scott C. Stockwell
2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Kansas on
Q: Next door neighbor wants to claim about six to eight feet of our property is theirs to

...enable them to install an electric line and additional lighting for their parking lot. They hired a private surveyor to justify their claim to the strip of land but we contest the result based on county land records. How should we proceed?

Scott C. Stockwell
Scott C. Stockwell
answered on Sep 21, 2023

Adverse possession is a concept that developed in the courts. If someone conspicuously and openly occupied a property for a long period of time, making use of the property, adding improvements, etc., they were in a position of becoming an de facto owner of the property. It was unfair to allow some... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Kansas on
Q: Lease agreement terms

I am buying a home through a rent to own agreement. It was negotiated at $700 a month. Owner was to pay property taxes. It says tenant was to pay for homeowners insurance. I've been told it is illegal for the tenant to purchase homeowners insurance unless they have ownership interest in the... View More

Scott C. Stockwell
Scott C. Stockwell
answered on Jun 1, 2023

Your question begins by referencing a written agreement. You should consult with an attorney about the enforceability of that agreement. The general things you report having been told may or may not apply. Do not delay in consulting with an attorney before the alleged increase in rent.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Kansas on
Q: I’m in Kansas and am the beneficiary of my deceased parents ( now irrevocable) trust. My mom had a credit card.

Do I legally have to pay it when I did not creat the debt

Scott C. Stockwell
Scott C. Stockwell
answered on Aug 20, 2022

In Kansas, creditors have six months from the date of death, or, if an estate is opened within six months of the date of death, four months from the date of first publication, to file a claim in the probate estate. If an interested party has not petitioned to open the estate, the creditor has... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Kansas on
Q: Can an out of state relative named in will as the executer of a deceased from Kansas file for a letter of testamentary?
Scott C. Stockwell
Scott C. Stockwell
answered on Aug 11, 2022

Yes. K.S.A. 59-1706 permits an out-of-state fiduciary to be appointed. The fiduciary must appoint a resident agent who resides in the county where the case is located.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Cannabis & Marijuana Law for Kansas on
Q: I am trying to get expunged. My probation was supervised and I got the 30 for 30 program, am I still on Probation?

I know where I am confused, due to this is my 1st offense.

I don't know if I'm still on P&P... Nor when I can start procedures to get expungement

Scott C. Stockwell
Scott C. Stockwell
answered on Aug 4, 2022

Most offenses in Kansas may be expunged if the conditions set forth in the expungement statute (K.S.A. 21-6614) are met. Depending upon the specific crime, there is a waiting period of three or five years (with a few exceptions of one, seven and ten year waiting periods) from completion of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law and Employment Discrimination for Kansas on
Q: i recently quit a job and im afraid they are going to hold my check because they are trying to accuse me of stealing...

money from them but have absolutely no proof.

Scott C. Stockwell
Scott C. Stockwell
answered on Aug 4, 2022

The Kansas Department of Labor enforces wage and hour laws in Kansas. Generally speaking, an employer cannot withhold wages for a purpose other than tax, Social Security, and Medicare withholdings or a garnishment pursuant to a court-ordered judgment without an agreement with the employee.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Kansas on
Q: My wife is the Trustee of her mother's irrevocable family trust. How does she get a letter of testamentary?

Who does she present it to, and how does she present it? Her mother passed away 15 December 2021, and she is trying to figure this all out. She has a check from her mom's original checking account, made out to her mom's Irrevocable Family Trust, and she needs to open an account under... View More

Scott C. Stockwell
Scott C. Stockwell
answered on Mar 21, 2022

A trust is managed by a trustee. A probate estate is managed by an executor (if there is a will) or administrator (if there is no will). If there is a will, it must be filed with the court within six months of the date of death; if there is no need to probate the will, the will may be filed with... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Kansas on
Q: How should we title our cars with husband's & wife's name: with OR or AND?

Our licenses are currently listed as AND but a lawyer suggested we might consider OR so that one of us could sell them if the other were incapacitated or deceased. Should we change our titles to OR?

Scott C. Stockwell
Scott C. Stockwell
answered on Mar 21, 2022

From the Kansas Department of Revenue Motor Vehicles Department website:

In Kansas, if there is more than one owner showing on the face of the title or as buyers on an assignment, the following number of signatures will be required when there is the connection between the names shown below:...
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1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Kansas on
Q: My dad recently passed away. Do we have to Apply for probate and appoint an executor if we can all agree on stuff
Scott C. Stockwell
Scott C. Stockwell
answered on Feb 21, 2022

There are several different procedures for distribution of assets using probate procedure. Assets that have a payable on death (POD) designation are typically distributed based upon the POD. Transfer on death (TOD) deeds for real estate, filed before death, typically control how real estate is... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Kansas on
Q: If a home in Kansas has a TOD deed, how long will the beneficiary need to wait to sell the home?
Scott C. Stockwell
Scott C. Stockwell
answered on Feb 21, 2022

If a transfer on death deed was filed before the person passed away and was properly drafted, the deed places the property outside of possible claims except for Medicaid. If the person who passed away or her or his spouse received Medicaid benefits during their lifetimes, the Medicaid claims may... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Kansas on
Q: If a person passes before they receive their share of an inheritance, where does the money go.

My mom was executor of her aunts estate. She passed in 2000 and left $30,000 to be divided 3 ways. It took a long time for everything to be settled. In the meantime my mom put the money in cd's. My mom is 86 now and just remembered the money was still there. In the meantime, one of the ladies... View More

Scott C. Stockwell
Scott C. Stockwell
answered on Feb 21, 2022

If a person is appointed as executor of an estate, that person is answerable to the judge or court who appointed her or him. If a beneficiary of a probate estate predeceases the distribution, the court would most likely refer to the provisions of the will. If the will did not provide some... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Contracts for Kansas on
Q: daughter needs to get out of her lease and away from an abusive person.. what kind of paperwork must we provide kansas
Scott C. Stockwell
Scott C. Stockwell
answered on Dec 11, 2021

Kansas has an online portal where your daughter may go and apply for a protection from abuse order. If her internet use might be monitored by the abuser, she should call 911. If she is able to safely access the internet, the Kansas Protection Portal is at https://www.kspop.org/. She can enter the... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Business Formation and Business Law for Kansas on
Q: Hello, I am wanting to start a small business, but I am 16 and do not know the legal specifications to meet.
Scott C. Stockwell
Scott C. Stockwell
answered on Dec 6, 2021

Persons who are under the age of eighteen are not empowered by law to make their own agreements or obligations. The rule, generally speaking, is for the benefit of the minor, so that the minor is not committed to some obligation not in her or his benefit.

Before you turn eighteen, your...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Kansas on
Q: If a DD was done but was not done for a case not yet heard in probate does that mean that the case will be dismissed

My brother passed they did a DD in his probate I filed a petition for probate for our mothers property which now they say will be dismissed because of the DD on my brothers estate… he was not a owner of her property she was the sole owner…

Scott C. Stockwell
Scott C. Stockwell
answered on Dec 6, 2021

It is not unusual that the estates of multiple people relate to one another. There is not enough information in your inquiry to explain why the determination of descent for your brother's estate would eliminate the need for probate of your mother's estate. If you are trying to handle your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Kansas on
Q: My sister passed away a few months ago and we are needing to set up a estate. I found a form online but need help.

Hello, thank you for taking the time to hopefully answer my questions. My sister passed away a few months ago and we are working to wrap up a few things. She has some benefits, paychecks, 401k etc. from her job and they are saying that we need to set up a small estate. She lived and passed in... View More

Scott C. Stockwell
Scott C. Stockwell
answered on Dec 6, 2021

There are several options for small estates, depending upon the size of the estate and the type of assets involved. You should be able to find legal counsel who will provide a free consultation to determine your options and identify the cost. If there are sufficient assets in the estate, you... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Kansas on
Q: I had someone too be a POA and and they took a lot of things out of our house but is there anything that I can do. Shor

Shortly after we wrote her POA she took items out of our house and land that did belong to her Our neighbors stated that they saw them taking it items out of the house and putting them in a box moving van. And it was revoked in May I have found out that my car and some property was sold and she... View More

Scott C. Stockwell
Scott C. Stockwell
answered on Dec 6, 2021

If you believe property was stolen, you might start with a police report. The police have resources you cannot match to deal with possible theft and its investigation.

Financial attorneys-in-fact have an obligation to provide a financial accounting, and you, with assistance from legal...
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1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law and Landlord - Tenant for Kansas on
Q: I rent my home, my 25 year-old lives w/me (he is on the lease). I want him removed from the lease. What are my options?

There are times when I'm in fear of my safety. also, my 73 year-old mother lives with me and he is verbally abusive to us both. i just would like to know what my options are?

Scott C. Stockwell
Scott C. Stockwell
answered on Dec 6, 2021

Kansas has a protection from abuse process "to provide quick and immediate protection." The Kansas Judicial system has created a one-stop portal website. But if you think your website viewing is being monitored or checked by the person from whom you do not feel safe, you should call 911... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Kansas on
Q: can a person with no legal standing contact and hire the probate lawyer?
Scott C. Stockwell
Scott C. Stockwell
answered on Jul 7, 2021

Probate matters can include guardianships, conservatorships, adoptions, and involuntary commitments, so the answer to who might be eligible to initiate or involved in a probate proceeding could have lots of different answers. Limiting the answer to probate matters involving decedent's estates:... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Land Use & Zoning for Kansas on
Q: Is adverse possession legal in Allen county Kansas? Can legal owner object to it and retain property
Scott C. Stockwell
Scott C. Stockwell
answered on Jul 7, 2021

Adverse possession in Kansas is a statutory created right and would be the same wherever the circumstances arise. The statue is relatively succinct and straight-forward:

"60-503. Adverse possession. No action shall be maintained against any person for the recovery of real property who...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts for Kansas on
Q: Selling Kansas home. Expired mineral rights lease delaying close. Need extension. Can I ask for appraised value?

My realtor is not willing to share details on who did buyers appraisal so I could seek info, buyers have refused to let me access that knowledge from their appraiser. Frustrated but want to pursue only what is legal to learn. Before I sign extension on their closing date.

Scott C. Stockwell
Scott C. Stockwell
answered on Jul 7, 2021

There is not enough information to provide meaningful guidance to you. You should consult with an attorney, sharing your agreement, communications about the delay, and possible defaults (such as failure to close).

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