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Questions Answered by Derek John Soltis
1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Constitutional Law and Identity Theft for New York on
Q: I got money stolen as well from Coinbase can I join this class action lawsuit?
Derek John Soltis
Derek John Soltis
answered on Nov 19, 2021

Hello,

You should talk to an attorney to go over the facts of your case. You need to explain how and who stole your money. Basically, why Coinbase is at fault for your loss?

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law, Civil Litigation and Probate for New Jersey on
Q: Is it a breach of fiduciary duty if an estate administrator quick sells two properties for less than they are worth?

My sister is currently Administratrix of my late mother’s estate and has already committed various breaches of fiduciary duty, including requesting the estate reimburse her for debt owed by the decedent she was liable to pay as power-of-attorney and attorney-in-fact to the decedent before her... View More

Derek John Soltis
Derek John Soltis
answered on Nov 17, 2021

You need to go over everything you just asked a question about with an attorney. I have seen a $400 home sell for $78,000 because of liens that couldn't be avoided so the new owner took on the liens. I have also see properties sell under market value because a hoarder lived in them, tenants... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for New Jersey on
Q: I was the beneficiary to my sisters life insurance. My siblings want it included in the estate. It happened in nj

Family believes the life insurance should be part of the estate even thought it was left in my name snd not theirs.

Derek John Soltis
Derek John Soltis
answered on Oct 7, 2021

Just because your family wants something doesn't mean it has to be done. As explained by Ms. Whitehurst, insurance proceeds are normally not subject to probate. My firm would never agree to represent your siblings unless they had proof you did something that you shouldn't have.... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Employment Discrimination and Employment Law for New York on
Q: My boss hasn’t enforced a provision regarding promotions in over 25 years. They now r. It hurts women. Discrimination?

My school district hasn’t enforced a provision on teacher advancement in terms of salary in over 25 years. A new HR director is making it a point to enforce it, and is denying salary differentials for teachers who have more than a Masters degree coming in. Furthermore HR has decided teachers... View More

Derek John Soltis
Derek John Soltis
answered on Sep 27, 2021

You should talk with an employment lawyer. It sounds like discrimination to me. If the only people it has been enforced on are two black woman that is insane.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for New Jersey on
Q: Which takes precedence in NJ? A last will and testament or a Life Estate Deed? Both were signed on same date in 2015.

My motherinlaw deeded her NJ house to Gerald (my husband) and his 1brother Eddy as a life estate. Her last Will and testament- dated the same day as her deed- states the house should be given to the Gerald, Ed AND the children of the other 2 brothers who passed away in 2012 and 2014. Does the... View More

Derek John Soltis
Derek John Soltis
answered on Aug 10, 2021

The deed is for a life estate. In normal situations, the life estate is vested in the people until they die, and then after they pass the property goes to who is named in the will. The will takes over after the life estate is over. The property could be sold and divided if Gerald and Eddy agree.

3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for New Jersey on
Q: Dears, I am shearching for NJ legislation about inheritance when decedent dies without will rules any colleagues help?
Derek John Soltis
Derek John Soltis
answered on Jul 12, 2021

I suggest just calling a probate attorney and asking your questions. Once you figure out the family tree and if there are kids from a previous marriage, the size of the augmented estate... Then it is pretty straightforward... Okay not all that straightforward, but a probate attorney can walk you... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Probate for New Jersey on
Q: Step mother died the. My father died 17 hr. Later

When they married her 2 children were grown and out of the house. They never lived with my gather and nothing was ever in their mothers name. There was a joint account that only my dads money went into and the bills were paid from and she had her own account that her money went in and she spent.... View More

Derek John Soltis
Derek John Soltis
answered on Jun 22, 2021

Talk to an attorney to go over your options. If there is a will, different things can apply.

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for New Jersey on
Q: Hello, I was the primary care giver of my deceased father who passed in September of 2020. I represented him in all affa

irs and detaisl with the medical care and transportation and i lived in his home. He died intestate and I CREATED an estate as an administratrix. My three siblings were not inculded in this paperwork so I could as most of his affairs, handle things without the stress and emotional abuse from them... View More

Derek John Soltis
Derek John Soltis
answered on May 10, 2021

Hello,

When someone dies without a will all Kids have the same rights. This may not seem fair, but it is the way the laws are written. So, your siblings may fight you for administration. There are forms that they could sign off on to surrender their rights to you. You really should speak...
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1 Answer | Asked in Employment Discrimination and Employment Law for New York on
Q: Can you be denied promotion for being "unrated" on evaluation because of medical condition which didn't effect work

Limited duty medical assignment cost me promotion even though all my assigned tasks were completed without being effected by medical condition. Work For NYC Sanitation. Passed over for promotion due to being on limited duty assignment (no driving) even though my assigned position doesn't... View More

Derek John Soltis
Derek John Soltis
answered on Apr 13, 2021

You really should speak with an employment attorney. It sounds like you may have a claim.

1 Answer | Asked in Foreclosure and Real Estate Law for New Jersey on
Q: How can I help my parents avoid foreclosure if one party refuses to cooperate & has caused liens against the property?

My father tricked/intimidated my mother into getting a 2nd mortgage in her name alone. They are both on the deed. He had the bills go to him at another location then stopped paying. He refused to agree to any solutions (sell, refinance, etc) & has liens against him on the home. He won't... View More

Derek John Soltis
Derek John Soltis
answered on Apr 12, 2021

Hello,

Your mother should reach out to an attorney that would work with her. She may have options, but trying to tell you to tell her what they are based on the little information you provided is not likely to be helpful.

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for New Jersey on
Q: I live in NJ & my deceased father lived in puerto-Rico. Do I find a probate lawyer in my state or his?
Derek John Soltis
Derek John Soltis
answered on Apr 7, 2021

His state. Does he have anything to be probated in NJ or PR for that matter?

1 Answer | Asked in Foreclosure for New York on
Q: My father complied the notice of pendency out of court with the buyer but the buyer has refused to release

Notice of pendency we are extended extensions to sell the house to them we have only received from them loan applications and not the commitment letter from the bank I'm really lost and I don't no longer know what to do is stating on real estate sites that it is pending sale but it is... View More

Derek John Soltis
Derek John Soltis
answered on Apr 7, 2021

It sounds like you should call an attorney who does real transactions for properties in foreclosure for a free consultation. Instead of trying to do everything yourself, it may be work checking with someone that you are not being ripped off.

1 Answer | Asked in Foreclosure for New York on
Q: What will happen to my father's house since he did not answer the summons of notice of pendency will he lose his house
Derek John Soltis
Derek John Soltis
answered on Apr 6, 2021

It sounds like he is in a foreclosure matter based on a notice of pendency. If he does nothing, eventually he will lose the house. If he starts replying or looking at loan modification, he can save his home. He just needs to start taking action.

2 Answers | Asked in Probate for New Jersey on
Q: Is 50 interrogatories normal in will dispute?

My dad left me the house, I cared for him 24/7 for 400 days. My siblings all own their own homes and never visited or came to funeral, but want the house. The house has a lean that I was paying

Derek John Soltis
Derek John Soltis
answered on Apr 5, 2021

I am sorry to hear about your loss.

So, 50 interrogatories can be high or low based on the case and what is being asked and why. Have one case where over 60 medical subpoenas are going out based on things that happened and multi years of multiple doctors. The interrogatories varied from...
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1 Answer | Asked in Probate for New Jersey on
Q: When calculating executor commission, do you count only probate assets or also non probate assets with designated benef?
Derek John Soltis
Derek John Soltis
answered on Mar 29, 2021

Tricky question. The key phrase if you dig into the law is "taken in by the executor." A non-probate asset may end up in the executor's hands. So a non-probate asset designated in a poor way may have to be probated. (Example: 401k beneficiary names a dead sibling. No secondary... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Business Law and Real Estate Law for New Jersey on
Q: If you personally guarantee a business loan and file bankruptcy, can the bank go after your house/primary residence?

I opened the doors to my s-corp in 2020 and due to covid I may have to file for bankruptcy. I have a great opportunity to buy a house now and don't know if the bank will go after my house for collateral. Should I wait to see what the business does or is it safe to buy a house prior to a... View More

Derek John Soltis
Derek John Soltis
answered on Mar 29, 2021

If you are a personal guarantor, any judgment against you could attach to your home. So, if you file for bankruptcy first, buying a house would most likely be more difficult, but if you buy a home are sued, and the other side wins it could attach to your home as a lien.

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4 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for New Jersey on
Q: My sister just lost her husband to COVID. Her husband left her with $100,000 in credit card debt.

They own a home with a mortgage of about $300,000. He owns another home with a mortgage of about 150,000. She’s not working, she’s a retired nurse. Can she claim bankruptcy?

Derek John Soltis
Derek John Soltis
answered on Mar 24, 2021

She would have to provide her documents to a bankruptcy attorney to get the best answer. She most likely could file a chapter 13 to protect the assets which is a repayment plan over 3 to 5 years based on her income. She may even be able to file a chapter 7 to wipe out the excessive debt and still... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Employment Law and Employment Discrimination for New York on
Q: I think I’m about to be discriminated against because of my age. What can I do?

I am 50 and I just got my EMT certification (NYS) I had an interview yesterday. They asked if I ever had any moving violations and I said never. He then asked when I started driving and I said when I was 16. That should’ve been the end of his questions but then he went on to ask me how long... View More

Derek John Soltis
Derek John Soltis
answered on Mar 10, 2021

If you are not offered the position, reach out to an employment lawyer. If you are offered the job, then just make sure to continue to document anything that appears like it could be used against you or the people you work with. When one class is discriminated against, there tends to be a pattern... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for New York on
Q: once a motion for bankruptcy is approved and finalized by a bankruptcy court, can a creditor still come after assets?
Derek John Soltis
Derek John Soltis
answered on Feb 23, 2021

It depends. For instance, if you have a chapter 13 and you do not make your mortgage payments the bank can ask to lift the automatic stay. And if the stay is lifted they can go after the house.

If you file a chapter 7 and own a car, and stop making payments the creditor can ask for the...
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