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Questions Answered by James Clifton
1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for Georgia on
Q: My girlfriend was in a serious accident and broke multiple ribs and fractured her foot. She was not the driver

The driver died in the crash. How do I go about dealing with the deceased insurance company

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Jun 20, 2024

I am sorry to hear about your girlfriend and the driver. In an accident that serious, you really should hire an attorney. You will need to get the driver's insurance information from the police report. You will then need to submit all medical records to the insurance company. You need to make... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Estate Planning and Family Law for California on
Q: My mother passed 2016. left a will & trust. everything to 3 Sister. Oldest refuse to give younger copy of will.

may have had (living) trust changed. inheritance includes home in SF and Property in Texas.

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Jun 20, 2024

Each of the sisters have a right to a copy of the will and trust. The ability to change the trust will depend on the language contained in it. If the oldest sister refuses to provide the estate documents, the other sisters can compel the production of those documents from the oldest sister.... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Texas on
Q: Can my brother hide and keep bank account inheritance from our dad?

No will or power of attorney, can my brother get into the account, and if he does once he gets a lawyer is there any way that he could keep it without letting me know? Will the courts get involved and handle this without me doing anything?

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Jun 20, 2024

You will need to file for probate of your father's estate. Once the probate has been filed, whoever is appointed as the personal representative of the estate will be required to provide an accounting of the estate assets. You will need to monitor the probate process to make sure it is being... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Texas on
Q: Lady bird law. I reciently inherted a house from my mother through lady bird law deed.

she left me a note stating that I had to transfer the deed to the house within 45 days of her death. is this true ? and if I dont do it in 45 days what are the consequences

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Jun 20, 2024

A Lady Bird Deed (also known as an enhanced life estate deed) allows a property owner to retain control over their property during their lifetime and transfer it to a designated beneficiary automatically upon their death, without the need for probate. In Texas, this type of deed is often used to... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury for Texas on
Q: How long do you have to sue a city in TX after an accident due to negligence of the city's hike and bike trails?

My husband and I were riding our bikes on a city trail, 6 days after an ice storm. The ice was gone everywhere after 4 warm days, but there was some still left under some overpasses, and it was very hard to see. Both my husband and I fell, I sustained 8 injuries to my knee which resulted in a... View More

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Jun 15, 2024

If you want to sue a city for an accident due to negligence, such as an injury on a city's hike and bike trails, you must follow specific procedures and timelines due to the concept of governmental immunity and the requirements under the Texas Tort Claims Act (TTCA).

Before filing a...
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2 Answers | Asked in Probate and Estate Planning for California on
Q: I am the executor of a family trust. I want to sell the property. What is the California Probate Law on executor rights?

Family members are occupants of the property and I need to give them notice. What is the law for giving beneficiaries notice of intent to sell property.

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Jun 13, 2024

As the executor or personal representative, you have the authority to sell the property to pay off the estate’s debts as long as the deceased individual did not give the real estate to a beneficiary and as long as you were granted the power of sale. The court may require an order approving the... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: My girlfriend and her ex co-own a home. Since she is a co-owner of the house, would she be able to allow me to move in?
James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Jun 12, 2024

As a co-owner, your girlfriend has the ability to enter the property and invite guests. However, if you intend to live there with her to the exclusion of her ex, you will both be liable for rent to the ex. If the ex also lives there, you alone may be liable for rent to the ex.

If your...
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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Florida on
Q: In Florida, do you have to make payments on house mortgage while it’s in probate?

No will, three heirs, in Florida, mortgage on home, in probate, do you have to make payments on house mortgage while it’s in probate?

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Jun 8, 2024

Yes, the mortgage must be paid at all times or the property will be placed into foreclosure. If the estate does not have money to pay the mortgage and a foreclosure is filed, you will need to get an answer filed to the foreclosure so that you will have enough time to sell the property.... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Probate for Florida on
Q: Can the executor who was appointed by the heirs as there was no will for an estate,

Can the executor who was appointed by the heirs as there was no will for an estate, not show bank documents, and use bank funds to fix up a house instead of selling as is if the heirs aren’t in agreement of it? This is in florida

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Jun 8, 2024

Here are some key points regarding the duties of a personal representative (the person in charge of handling the estate) and the rights of heirs in such situations:

Duties of the Personal Representative

Fiduciary Duty:

The personal representative has a fiduciary duty to act...
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2 Answers | Asked in Probate for California on
Q: How do I compel the administrator of an estate to submit the will I found and mailed to him to the probate court?

My GF died suddenly about 8 months ago. The father requested and was given administrative powers to control and distribute her estate about a month later.

I continued to live in the house she owned and did so without any communication from her family after her funeral.

Two months... View More

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Jun 8, 2024

I am sorry to hear about your loss. If your girlfriend's father will not present the will to probate, you must do it yourself. Here are some things to consider regarding her handwritten will.

A holographic will (a will that is handwritten by the testator) can be considered valid if it...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Real Estate Law for Texas on
Q: If my spouse pays the mortgage on the house that I own , does he have any claim as to ownership in TX?

We live in the house that I own from a previous marriage.

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Jun 5, 2024

In Texas, property acquired before marriage is generally considered separate property, while property acquired during the marriage is presumed to be community property. However, the situation can become more complex if community funds are used to pay for the mortgage or improve the property.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Georgia on
Q: RE: Petition for Discharge of Personal Repres for my brother's estate. I am unclear what info is needed in Paragraph 4?

Only two Heirs (sons), all debt has been paid

Does an attorney need to submit this form to Probate or can I, as Executor?

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Jun 5, 2024

You can leave paragraph 4 blank on the Petition for Discharge. It will be helpful to have the heirs sign a consent to petition though. An attorney is not required to submit this form. However, it may be helpful to enlist the service of an attorney to avoid any possible issues.

Schedule a...
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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Texas on
Q: I would like to know if I am legally bound to continue a seller financing sale. I am the seller and I’ve changed my mind

I realize that I am bound by the sales contract to sell the property however I would like to back out of the financing segment. The buyer is telling me I am required to fulfill the financing obligation because I signed a document stating that I had seven days to review his credit which has elapsed.... View More

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Jun 3, 2024

It will depend on what the document says. However, if you agreed to something in writing, you are bound by the terms of the document that you signed under contract law unless there is a legal justification for you to not perform. Some examples of legal justifications to not perform under the terms... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Georgia on
Q: How do I keep the car my father bought me, without becoming executive of estate.

Hello, my father has passed away. He has a vehicle that is being financed under his business name which is no longer active. Today I attempted to get the tags registered, however I couldn’t because the business is no longer registered. My mother was married to him and I am the son with the same... View More

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Jun 1, 2024

Unfortunately, if your father's estate has debts, property cannot be transferred out of his name without paying the debts. You can try using a T-20 form at the tag office. However, there is section of the T-20 form where you have to swear under oath that the estate has no debts.... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: can a seller of a condo fill out a warranty deed when selling to a cash buyer?

The Cash Buyer has inspected the property and wants to close asap. Can I complete a warranty deed and submit it to courts for recording once the cash buyer has either given me a cashier's check or confirmation of a bank wire to my account? Or do I have to use a closing agent. The property... View More

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on May 31, 2024

The buyer will typically want to do an independent title examination and possibly purchase title insurance. Those things are usually done through the closing attorney or title company. If the buyer accepts your proposition to transfer the deed yourself, you will also need to collect the appropriate... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Probate for California on
Q: Does a decedent's fiancée (not a registered domestic partner or married) have a chance at receiving any Estate?

Specifically, in a scenario where the decedent left no will and had an estate of less than $184,500, am I understanding correctly that anyone can submit the Affidavit to become Administrator under CALIFORNIA PROBATE CODE SECTIONS 13100-13106? If the fiancée of the decedent submitted such an... View More

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on May 31, 2024

Unfortunately, if there was no will leaving anything to the fiancée, the fiancée will not be entitled to any part of the estate. The fiancée likely won't qualify as administrator of the estate either. It is possible that some non-estate assets may have been left to the fiancée like a life... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: When there are 4 people on deed to house can a person now sue for there money back if no contract was signed
James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on May 30, 2024

Yes, any of the four people can file for a partition of the property which forces a sale of the property. The money from the sale is then divided between the four owners.

Schedule a free consultation to make sure your interest in the property is protected.

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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Estate Planning and Elder Law for Florida on
Q: My father signed a new will several times. We were unable to have it. notarized or witnessed. He is dying. Thank you.

We live in Florida. The previous will was made 40 years ago and he did not read or understand it. The second will is fair to his children. I greatly appreciate your advice.

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on May 26, 2024

If the document is not witnessed and notarized, it will not be recognized as a will in Florida. Strict compliance with the law regarding wills is necessary for the document to be enforceable as a will.

Schedule a free consultation to make sure your father's estate plan is formalized...
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1 Answer | Asked in Foreclosure and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: a home preservation promised to have my foreclosure dismissed. Instead I now have 3 days to evict can I get an extension

I have a five-year-old daughter, no license, and the business took the money I had, so moving at this moment is extremely impossible without us losing everything and living on the street

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on May 23, 2024

It depends on the type of notice you received. If it is the sheriff's notice that the writ of possession is about to be enforced, it is unlikely you can extend it. If it is a 3 day notice to quit (move out), it is very possible to get an extension. There may also be money owed to you from the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: I made an offer on a house thru the realtor who has shown us the house. He now wants us to sign a document stating that

he must be our realtor for any other sales in GA. We have put an offer on land last week before our offer on this house. Would he have a right to a commission on this land sale? He states it is GA law re the 120 days for him to represent us. We live in FL. Thanks!

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on May 23, 2024

You do not have an obligation to sign any agreement that extends the representation beyond the original agreement. There is no Georgia law regarding length of representation.

Schedule a free consultation to have someone review the paperwork the real estate agent has submitted to you for...
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