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Questions Answered by Scott C. Stockwell
1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Kansas on
Q: Me and my brother are in probate because our father died..I recently just signed a consent and waiver now what?

I notice final settlement was filed...so what are we waiting on now?...and do I need to worry about if I owe the state money...I'm a heir

Scott C. Stockwell
Scott C. Stockwell
answered on Jan 24, 2019

There are several different procedures under which the probate proceeding could have been filed. You indicate you recently signed a consent and waiver and that a final settlement was filed. Any person who has an interest in the estate should keep informed about the progress the probate proceeding.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Estate Planning for Kansas on
Q: If there is a lien on a house, can we keep adding joint tenants, generation after generation to pass on the home?

I understand that a joint tenancy postpones the selling of a home to satisfy a lien. If I am a joint tenant on my mom's home, then she dies, the home passes on to me, the house cannot be taken and sold to satisfy the lien. Then I add my son on as a joint tenant and when I die, also, the house... View More

Scott C. Stockwell
Scott C. Stockwell
answered on Dec 27, 2018

It is not unusual for a mortgage and/or a promissory note to have a provision that accelerates the debt obligation upon the transfer of an interest in the property to another person. To answer your question, you would want to know the specifics of the promissory note and mortgage in question. As... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate and Estate Planning for Kansas on
Q: My Mother in law passed away

My mother in laws name is on the deed to the house. She passed away. She left the house to her kids in her will. Her husband is still alive who is a step dad. The will has not been filed with the court yet. The will states the husband can live in the house until his death. Does the will... View More

Scott C. Stockwell
Scott C. Stockwell
answered on Dec 27, 2018

If there is a will, it should be filed with the court within six months of the date of death. Notice will be provided to persons with a potential interest in the estate and a hearing date will be set. If no one opposes the probate of the will, it will be probated as a valid will and an executor (or... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law for Kansas on
Q: If my LLC is sued, is my other property, not in the LLC, protected from any liability?
Scott C. Stockwell
Scott C. Stockwell
answered on Aug 9, 2018

If a limited liability company is properly formed, operated, and capitalized, a judgment against the LLC would not normally be enforceable against the individual members of the LLC. You should consult with legal counsel to determine whether the company has been properly formed, operated, and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Kansas on
Q: Do beneficiaries of a will need legal representation? Is there a time limit a beneficiary has to respond to a will..?

For a beneficiary in a will who has no contact with those involved w/ the will, i.e. other beneficiaries, blood relatives of the person who the will is for, would an attorney be able to help with the process? It is not possible for me to be in contact w/ individuals involved due to abuse and... View More

Scott C. Stockwell
Scott C. Stockwell
answered on Jul 11, 2018

Whether the estate would be probated in Kansas or Massachusetts would be a threshold question that would need to be answered with the assistance of counsel. The appropriate jurisdiction for probate of the will would be based upon several different factors. If Massachusetts is the appropriate... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Kansas on
Q: My husband is not listed on our house title or loan. Can I sell him my house for the appraised amount?

We are wanting to do a cash out refi but having trouble getting the house to appraise high enough. We are looking at alternative options for getting cash out of the house. I owe 313$ house appraised at 385$ can I sell to my husband for this amount?

Scott C. Stockwell
Scott C. Stockwell
answered on Jun 19, 2018

In Kansas, a spouse has full legal rights to sell a piece of property to another spouse. You could also transfer the house to your spouse without value. From your question, however, it would appear that the real question is whether you could complete such a sale and your husband obtain financing... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Kansas on
Q: Mother signed the deed to her house to my brother but the finacing is in her name, she died,

now he is selling the house "by owner". I am the executor. As executor, do I have the right to sell this house? Legally- can he sell the house and keep the money? What about the loan?

Scott C. Stockwell
Scott C. Stockwell
answered on Jun 19, 2018

You describe a set of circumstances in which the details (facts) will be critical to answering your question. You should consult with an attorney licensed in the state in which your mother's estate is located.

A deed making a present transfer and recorded prior to the grantor's...
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1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Kansas on
Q: If I'm added to the mortgage as executor, does the house still need to go through probate?

My mother had the house in her name only, Chase has added me as an authorized user to keep paying the mortgage, would that allow me to sell the house without going through probate, or is probate the only way to sell the house? Myself and my brother are the only living relatives, and we agree on... View More

Scott C. Stockwell
Scott C. Stockwell
answered on May 25, 2018

If a person passes away owning real estate in his/her name only and without a transfer on death deed making an automatic transfer at death, some probate proceeding would be required to convey ownership of the property or to authorize someone to transfer the property on behalf of the estate. If an... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Real Estate Law for Kansas on
Q: If I own a home but agreed and signed a 5 year contract for someone to rent to own my home, can I get my home back?
Scott C. Stockwell
Scott C. Stockwell
answered on May 9, 2018

There are several issues that would pertain to a "rent to own" agreement that would depend upon the terms of the actual agreement. You should consult with an attorney, sharing with her or him the documents pertaining to the agreement.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Kansas on
Q: My wife and her sister recently inherited a property/house in Tallahassee, Florida from their father at his passing.

He leased the house for a 5 year period that runs thru 1/2020. The lease is signed by my father-in-law and the man and wife who are the lessors. Their are cancellation provisions for the lessors but not the owner except for cause. There is no transfer of ownership clause in the lease. Is the lease... View More

Scott C. Stockwell
Scott C. Stockwell
answered on May 7, 2018

The law that would apply to the lease of a Florida property would be Florida law. You need to seek legal advice from an attorney licensed in Florida.

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Kansas on
Q: How long to probate a will in kansas
Scott C. Stockwell
Scott C. Stockwell
answered on May 7, 2018

Kansas law provides that a will must be submitted to the court within six months of the date of death. If a party withholds the will from the court, that party may not receive under the terms of the will more than that party would receive under the laws of intestacy. If a will is discovered, an... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Kansas on
Q: How much time do I need to give tenets to up the rent?

My renters never pay on time, and I have to pay every month on a loan for that house. I fix every problem quickly when it is brought to my attention. They won't sign a contract either. What can I do to get them out or raise the rent do to them always being late.

Scott C. Stockwell
Scott C. Stockwell
answered on Apr 28, 2018

If the lease is a month-to-month, a landlord may provide notice at least one month prior to a rent-paying date that the lease is going to terminate at the end of the following month. In a separate written communication, a landlord could communicate an offer to enter into a written lease at a higher... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Foreclosure for Kansas on
Q: Can I sell my house after it went through a foreclosure auction?
Scott C. Stockwell
Scott C. Stockwell
answered on Apr 28, 2018

After a foreclosure auction of a personal residence occurs, the prior owner has a certain period of time to "redeem" the house. The right of redemption typically is three months long, unless more than one-third of the indebtedness had been previously paid, in which event the period of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Kansas on
Q: My parents sold a piece of property using a quitclaim deed and buyer has not paid.

My parents sold a piece of property using a quitclaim deed and the buyer convinced them that they would receive the funds the following day. The deed was recorded by the title company and the buyers have not paid the seller any funds to date. It has been about 45 days since the deed was recorded.... View More

Scott C. Stockwell
Scott C. Stockwell
answered on Apr 24, 2018

Your parents should consult with an attorney as soon as possible. There are reasons why a small claims case might not be the optimal course of litigation. There are some unanswered questions that would be better discussed in a confidential communication with an attorney.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Kansas on
Q: Husband died 6 years ago, Will filed, no probate, everything was joint. Now, found a stock certificate, in his name only

How do I get the stock into my name?

Scott C. Stockwell
Scott C. Stockwell
answered on Apr 24, 2018

There is a process that allows for use of an affidavit for the heirs at law or beneficiaries of a will to transfer the assets directly to them if the value of the estate is under a certain amount. K.S.A. 59-1507b provides that if the total assets of the decedent subject to probate do not exceed... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Kansas on
Q: I moved I to an abandoned property 7 years ago took 6 months of labor and money. Never paid rent. Do I have rigjts

Actual owner didn't know I lived there til a few years ago. Now it in probate. I'm in Kansas. Help I don't want to leave

Scott C. Stockwell
Scott C. Stockwell
answered on Apr 24, 2018

Adverse possession is recognized as a way to become an owner of a property. The person occupying the property must do so in a hostile, actual, exclusive, open and notorious way for a continuous period of fifteen years. K.S.A. 60-503. A person with a superior interest in the property may file an... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Kansas on
Q: In Kansas does a lawyer need to be present or involved in the closing process of purchasing a home?

Is there a specific legislature that allows realtors to preform all of the tasks of closing a real estate sale without a lawyer present?

Scott C. Stockwell
Scott C. Stockwell
answered on Apr 23, 2018

There is not a legal requirement that an attorney be present during a closing process of purchasing a home. The challenge, however, is that realtor cannot and should not provide legal advice. Issues may arise during closing for which legal advice is needed.

Whether a seller or a...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Kansas on
Q: What happens with a trust when all the trustees are deceased?
Scott C. Stockwell
Scott C. Stockwell
answered on Apr 23, 2018

Sometimes a trust document provides a process for the identification or appointment of successor trustees who are not called out in the trust document. Alternatively, a court proceeding may be initiated by someone having an interest in the estate to ask the court to make determinations in... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Kansas on
Q: Does an abandoned child have any rights to the absent parents estate after death?

My niece was orphaned by her mother and abandoned by her father. Her father is remarried with a step child. Wondering if she, as now an adult, has rights to any of his estate when he dies? Dad left her at age 7, mother died at age 16. I raised her until able to be on her own. She has fetal alcohol... View More

Scott C. Stockwell
Scott C. Stockwell
answered on Apr 23, 2018

If a valid will exists, the interests of children, as heirs at law, may be superseded. If a valid will does not exist, an heir at law continues to be an heir and may have an interest in the estate, despite having been abandoned. If the father were he to marry again, the new spouse would have... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Missouri on
Q: Trustee violating fiduciary duties and bene wants the state to get involved. Who should the bene contact at state level?

Family estate in Missouri under 2 Trusts.

Trustee is also a beneficiary.

3 additional beneficiaries, all parties are adults.

2+ years of questionable fiduciary actions by trustee.

Trustee refuses to address documented concerns.

Trustee is using trust monies... View More

Scott C. Stockwell
Scott C. Stockwell
answered on Mar 9, 2018

This question is appearing in the Kansas section. You may want to resubmit in the Missouri section.

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