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My grandmother died without a will about 5 years ago. She has a property and my dad is being paying for the loan & taxes?
How can my dad transfer the house to himself? Or what’s the route to go to?
answered on Mar 13, 2021
If there are no testamentary documents such as a will or trust, you will need to have an attorney file for probate in the appropriate court. The probate court will determine who will inherit the property.
This posting does not create any attorney-client relationship. The information... View More 
The lease states: “if the property is sold during the term of the lease the lease shall terminate and the lessee shall be entitled to the sum of $5000 per year for all years remaining on the lease as liquidated damages.”
If I buy the property before the lease is over does the trust owe... View More
answered on Feb 20, 2021
You should have an attorney review the lease, the contract, and the trust, as well as other real estate documents.
This posting does not create any attorney-client relationship. The information presented here is general in nature and is not intended nor should be construed as legal advice... View More
It is not required in California to have a real estate attorney, but given that the seller already has a buyer, i.e. one co-owner is selling their share to the other co-owner, would it possibly be cheaper to have a real estate attorney draw up documents instead of a real estate agent?
Example: My friend's dad's car was solely owned in his name, and no beneficiary was designated in the title, but the friend is a beneficiary in his will. However for small estates the gross value has to be below $166,250, yet cars are excluded from determining the value for this kind of... View More
answered on Feb 2, 2021
There are a variety of methods to transfer assets post-mortem, including trusts, wills, intestacy, beneficiary designations, etc.
The DMV provides a method of transfer that is specific to vehicles.
Jonathan Purcell is a California Attorney. This posting does not create any... View More
I should refinance both properties now because I can save money with the low interest rates on mortgages. One lender suggested that I consolidate the two loans and pay-off the loan on my future rental property. But I wonder if I will benefit more (because of the tax benefits) if I maintain the loan... View More
answered on Jan 27, 2021
I suggest you build a good spreadsheet and analyze and compare individual scenarios as they arise.
Jonathan Purcell is a California Attorney. This posting does not create any attorney-client relationship. The information presented here is general in nature and is not intended nor should be... View More
Is that considered a capital gain? Do I need to pay extra on my state and federal taxes. Does my mother has to pay extra taxes.
answered on Jan 1, 2021
If you buy an asset for less than the fair market value, the seller should file a gift tax return. Unless your Mother dies with a combined estate and lifetime gift that exceeds approximately $11,000,000 (or the exemption amount in effect at the time of her death), there should be no estate tax... View More
Is it legal for me to collect the rent and is it legal for the trustee successor to take that rent away from me and put it in a trust account until it's in my name... I have been collecting rent for the past year the trustee successor is wanting to step in now and take over and hire a property... View More
answered on Dec 18, 2020
Ideally there should be a written agreement between the successor trustee and the property manager, that outlines the obligations of both parties.
Jonathan Purcell is a California Attorney. This posting does not create any attorney-client relationship. The information presented here is... View More
tax and completely removed our names off the property. The property is located in Stockton, CA.
answered on Dec 17, 2020
You may gift up to the value of the annual exclusion, which is currently $15,000 per year, without the donor or recipient filing with the IRS. A married couple may donate twice this much to the recipient. If the recipient is married, and the donor is married the recipient may receive four times... View More
My father still has a small mortgage on the home. He already has a Will and Durable POA. He is interested in creating a mechanism such as a living trust by which his home and minivan can be transferred to me as his sole heir without the necessity of the property going through probate. His Will... View More
answered on Sep 25, 2020
I'm not familiar with Arizona laws. A quick internet search reveals that Arizona has a form for beneficiary designation of automobiles. Please refer to the link below.
https://apps.azdot.gov/files/mvd/mvd-forms-lib/96-0561.pdf
Jonathan Purcell is a California Attorney. This... View More
Do I pay the mortgage until it is in my name? Or is it covered by his trustee?
answered on Sep 22, 2020
Sorry for your loss.
During life, most trusts are revocable, and there is no distinction between the revocable trust and the person, for tax purposes. After death, the trust becomes an irrevocable distinct entity, that will require a separate tax identity i.e. an EIN. The irrevocable... View More
The land was left to my mom and her other two siblings. The two other siblings are deceased now and my mom wants to put the land in her name now to write her will. what documents and paperwork does she need to get this process going? Also she has more land that she has that is in my brother's... View More
answered on Sep 15, 2020
To begin with you will need to gather together the testamentary documents (wills, trusts, and property deeds), pertaining to your deceased Grandmother and Uncle, and hire an attorney to review the documents, organize the information, and write a report on the current ownership of the properties,... View More
Settlors created the trust in 1988 naming themselves trustees and then their two adult children, a son and a daughter. The primary trust asset is property in California. The two "children" are now in their 80's. The daughter lives out of state and has never participated in the... View More
answered on Aug 4, 2020
If the 'children' are mentally competent to the extent that they would understand that they are granting a power under the trust, and the trustees also have enumerated powers under the trust that include the power to engage an agent, or attorney-in-fact, (power of attorney); you might... View More
I am a 50 year old woman living in California. I never married, have no kids and minimal assets (I own my car and have about $1000 in the bank). Both of my parents and my siblings all live in Pennsylvania. I'm starting the process of "getting my affairs in order" and think the first... View More
answered on Jul 27, 2020
Joint tenancy is a form of ownership that involves two or more owners. Upon the death of the first co-owner, the remaining portion of the property is transferred to the surviving owner(s) by law. A bank account may be owned in joint tenancy*. A car may also be owned in joint tenancy. At death... View More
I'm the trustee, Will I pay more in taxes if I claim it on my taxes, or should i get a ein for the trust and file it's own taxes and leave the house in the trust
answered on Jul 20, 2020
Federal income tax rates for trusts are compressed. In 2020, trust net income that exceeds $12,950 is taxed at a rate of 37%.
Jonathan Purcell is a California Attorney. This posting does not create any attorney-client relationship. The information presented here is general in nature and... View More
A trust has all cash plus a primary house. Trust calls for equal distribution among 4 co-beneficiaries (same 4 are also co-trustees). House will not be sold. Option 1: Single beneficiary "A" takes house, and only house, no cash, as her sole share. Option 2: All beneficiaries take equal... View More
answered on Jul 14, 2020
There are private sources of money that provide liquidity for this type of situation.
answered on May 21, 2020
There is a requirement to report gifts more than $15,000 per year on form 709.
The tax will be levied only if at the time of death, the combination of all lifetime gifts and donor's decedent estate, exceeds the the gift and estate tax exemption, then in effect, currently $11.58... View More
I anticipate issues with my siblings over my parents' estate, specifically one of them influencing my mother to change their will to exclude me if my father predeceases her. But if the will were to be read after he passed away (if he were to pass first) at least we would know his intentions... View More
answered on May 12, 2020
Most modern estate plans use a trust instead of will to transfer assets at death.
Jonathan Purcell is a California Attorney. This posting does not create any attorney-client relationship. The information presented here is general in nature and is not intended nor should be construed as... View More
The lawyer put himself as executor before heirs. Now they want to make an heir their executor. Also in their trust the lawyer is listed as a trustee. Do they need 3 separate codicils? One each for their wills and another for the trust? They don't want to spend money to do it all again.
answered on May 11, 2020
If parents intend to replace the executor and trustee, it is a good idea to review all documents beforehand. A change in the trustee will minimally require an amendment to the trust.
Jonathan Purcell is a California Attorney. This posting does not create any attorney-client relationship.... View More
And will and tell me if i can go ahead and sell the propertys my brother will not move out of the florida home. Our morher passed 8/26/2019 my brother wanted to fix up the house,but now conpkains of going in delt, and is harrassing me and my children. Do i have a right to just sell both propertys... View More
answered on May 11, 2020
You will need to hire an Attorney to review the trust, will, real estate deeds, insurance, bank accounts and other relevant documents.
My two sisters and I have agreed I will buy their interest in the home. My sister who is the trustee demands I pay the entire existing mortgage or she will not sign the deed. The trust terms are the home is divided equally one third each. Can my sister alter the terms, threaten to not sign the deed... View More
answered on Apr 28, 2020
There are private investors who provide liquidity to estates for exactly this situation. They provide funding to allay your Sister's apprehension, and should also provide guidance in preserving the historical property tax.
Jonathan Purcell is a California Attorney. This posting does... View More
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