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Questions Answered by Jim Ed "Jed" Franklin
1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Colorado on
Q: Hello, my father passed intestate. My sister and I are only heirs. Colorado probate. Question about asset division.

Probate will need to be open for a couple of years. I would like to get a written agreement in place with my sister to ensure we have a clean division of assets. Is there a particular legal form we should use in Colorado for that purpose? For various reasons, it is important to have a clear... View More

Jim Ed "Jed" Franklin
Jim Ed "Jed" Franklin
answered on Aug 21, 2018

There is not a particular form that I am aware of to outline an agreement of a division of assets. What you need is a brief agreement with your sister about the property division. It would say how it was distributed, that you are both OK with that, and a release of claims against both of you.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Energy, Oil and Gas for Colorado on
Q: Dispute with HOA over our mineral rights.They are claim ownership rights.We say we own but give HOA POA.Who is correct.

Does HOA have rights to royalties?

From covenants:Mineral Interest. The Board of Directors shall be given the express authority to negotiate the precise loca­tion of any exploration and production activity for minerals of any type with the City of Greeley to approve such location or, in... View More

Jim Ed "Jed" Franklin
Jim Ed "Jed" Franklin
answered on Apr 4, 2018

There is a lot to this question. The first is whether the lot owners were given the minerals to begin with. If so, then the question is whether this covenant applies to each lot. It probably does. Then, what does this covenant mean. This covenant allows the HOA to execute leases for each lot... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Colorado on
Q: My mother died and I need to sell her house - does probate have to be finished before I can do this?
Jim Ed "Jed" Franklin
Jim Ed "Jed" Franklin
answered on Jul 21, 2017

Probate does not have to be finished in order to sell property of the deceased. However, the seller must have authority; this person is usually the personal representative/executor. The personal representative distributes property and pays off debt. If there is a debt on the house, like a... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Colorado on
Q: what is/how to get: Letter of successor's interest

Please help.. my family's and I home is at risk!!

This is turning out to be a mess.. I'll try to keep simple:

Jim purchased the property in 1985 and was the only name ever on the loan with US Bank. When Jim moved from the property he gifted the property to his... View More

Jim Ed "Jed" Franklin
Jim Ed "Jed" Franklin
answered on May 9, 2017

What you want are Deeds, not a Deed of Trust. A Deed would be in the form of a quitclaim deed or warranty deed. This creates a "chain" of title that you can show the bank. A to B, B to C, C to D. If there are no deeds for the gift, then you are going to have a much tougher time and... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Probate for Colorado on
Q: For informal probate, what documents are required to transfer real estate and savings accounts. Court order required?

I have the will and have been assigned personal representative. I've filed with the court and have "Letters of Testimony".

Jim Ed "Jed" Franklin
Jim Ed "Jed" Franklin
answered on Apr 11, 2017

You should definitely engage a probate lawyer since there is real estate involved. Generally, real estate requires the Letters, which you have. You then distribute the property using a personal representative's deed in accordance with the will, or if no will, Colorado's intestacy laws.... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Energy, Oil and Gas for North Dakota on
Q: My wife inherited mineral rights along with her siblings to property owned by her parents.

We are opposed to any kind of mining - are we able to stop the others given that she co-owns the property?

Jim Ed "Jed" Franklin
Jim Ed "Jed" Franklin
answered on Apr 5, 2017

It depends on what title you have to the mineral rights. Based on what you've written, you are probably co-tenants of an undivided interest in oil, gas, and other minerals. Assuming this, then no, you cannot stop the siblings from leasing, selling, or using their part of the interest. Each... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Energy, Oil and Gas for Colorado on
Q: Is it possible for me to sell mineral rights to the land under my property but maintain the surface rights above ground?
Jim Ed "Jed" Franklin
Jim Ed "Jed" Franklin
answered on Feb 13, 2017

Yes, it is very common to sell the mineral rights under the land and keep the surface. However, as has been pointed out, the minerals take precedence over the surface. If an oil company wants to drill on your surface to access the buyer's minerals, they must reasonably accommodate your... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Civil Litigation, Collections and Probate for North Dakota on
Q: Dad died 15 months ago in ND and step mom died this month. no children together. Next of kin is? Her mom is alive but 90

They had no children together but married over 20 years. Step moms mother is alive but is 90 and lives in nursing home (possibly mentally incompetent) . She has no birth or legally adopted children and no will or trust. Who is her next of next of kin?. Since its going to probate could i contest and... View More

Jim Ed "Jed" Franklin
Jim Ed "Jed" Franklin
answered on Feb 6, 2017

Your question is missing some important information, feel free to contact me via email so I can better answer it. But generally, you should have some interest in your father's estate, though it sounds like there is not much in it. If so, then the "spousal share" may eat up all of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for North Dakota on
Q: My mom and dad owned farm land and my dad passed away August 4, 2015. During my dad's probate we had the land appraised.

The appraisal was completed September 9, 2016 and my mom passed away Sept. 15, 2016. Do I need the land appraised again for my mom's probate?

Jim Ed "Jed" Franklin
Jim Ed "Jed" Franklin
answered on Feb 6, 2017

The obligation of the personal representative of the estate is to determine the fair market value. There is no state requirement for an appraisal. I think that you can feel free to use the appraised value on September 9 to determine fair market value on September 15.

1 Answer | Asked in Energy, Oil and Gas and Probate for Texas on
Q: How to transfer a gifted oil royalty from a deceased person with no will.

My sisters, my brother, and myself were given a part of an oil royalty owned by our mother. My brother died in April of this year with no will. He was married and had adopted his wife's son. They did not have a good relationship, and her son has been estranged from them for several years until... View More

Jim Ed "Jed" Franklin
Jim Ed "Jed" Franklin
answered on Feb 3, 2017

You need to consult a lawyer on this. It seems to be a very complex situation. Having said that, it appears that the estate needs to be probated, even though there is not a will. This is called "intestate succession". The laws of Texas will govern how the property is to be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Energy, Oil and Gas for Oklahoma on
Q: What rights do I have as a royalty interest owner in Oklahoma if I haven't been paid my royalties in years?

I'm a royalty interest owner in an oil & gas well in Oklahoma. In 2011, the operator sued the working interest owners and all proceeds from purchasers were put in suspense. (It was set-up for the operator to receive all proceeds & to distribute to everyone). The well has been... View More

Jim Ed "Jed" Franklin
Jim Ed "Jed" Franklin
answered on Feb 3, 2017

You can sue anyone for anything. Winning is another matter. There are not enough facts to fully and faithfully answer your question. However, it does sound like you are entitled to the unpaid royalties, probably with interest. I would start with the current operator and ask them what is going... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Energy, Oil and Gas, Contracts and Real Estate Law for Oklahoma on
Q: selling mineral rights, is it standard practice for seller to sign a contract and sign over the deed before being paid?
Jim Ed "Jed" Franklin
Jim Ed "Jed" Franklin
answered on Feb 3, 2017

The buyer will want you to do it that way, but I always counsel my clients to not turn over the deed until payment is made. Usually I do this simultaneously. I've not had a problem in asking for and getting this concession, because otherwise it is too risky and not fair to the seller.... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Energy, Oil and Gas, Estate Planning and Probate for Colorado on
Q: I have a non compliant trustee my sister's will .what should be done

She died 4/96 still hasn't been probated in ok. Where mineral rights are.

Jim Ed "Jed" Franklin
Jim Ed "Jed" Franklin
answered on Feb 3, 2017

As noted, the answer depends on many undisclosed facts. You need to get the will and the trust and then consult with a lawyer. If you are a beneficiary of the trust, you should demand an accounting of all trust payments and income. You might also consider a suit for breach of fiduciary duty,... View More

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