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Questions Answered by William K. Hayes
1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Washington on
Q: My husband and I went through a law firm to draw up our wills and three other documents in 2002.

We would like to update these documents but found out this law firm is no longer around. What would be our next step just for some simple name changes and one property removal? Where are these legal documents kept? We only have copies at home.

William K. Hayes
William K. Hayes
answered on Nov 8, 2023

You can inquire with the state bar association as to the whereabouts of the attorney and if the attorney can't be located, you should just go to another attorney who works in the field of probate.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate on
Q: Can a executor sell a home and take all it contents including my mom personal items without notifying a 1/3beneficiary

deceased left a will oldest son named executor split 1/3 to three children, specific items in will left to daughter such as Jewerly, xmas ornaments, tv. all other assets personal and monetary divided equally

William K. Hayes
William K. Hayes
answered on Nov 8, 2023

If this involves a Will being probated in court, all of the actions of the Executor will be monitored by the court. The authority of the Executor will be determined by the language of the Will and overseen by the court.

1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law for Illinois on
Q: Illinois has no death tax, mother did not earn enough. Do I need to file federally?
William K. Hayes
William K. Hayes
answered on Nov 8, 2023

The answer depends on the dollar value of the estate. If your mother did not earn enough to have to pay the Illinois inheritance tax, it is doubtful that she will have to pay any federal estate taxes since the dollar value threshold of the estate for federal tax purposes is significantly higher... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Estate Planning and Probate for California on
Q: My mother died in January and my brother has taken over her estate without contacting his brothers regarding her house

He didn't contact his brothers regarding her house and everything is in his name, Do I have options Thank You

William K. Hayes
William K. Hayes
answered on Nov 8, 2023

If the title to the home is in your brother's name, either your mother willingly signed the deed over to him or something may have been done that may be legally questionable. If you truly believe that your mother would not have given the house to that one brother, then there are questions... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Probate for Kansas on
Q: I’m the POA & next of kin. Mother passed away, am I responsible for planning the funeral? Family disagreement over it
William K. Hayes
William K. Hayes
answered on Nov 8, 2023

Your power of attorney terminated upon the death of your mother. Assuming that your mother had no other estate planning documents, until someone is legally appointed to represent your mother's estate, it is best that you make it a group decision regarding the planning of the funeral. If your... View More

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