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Questions Answered by James Clifton
2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury for Texas on
Q: Doctor said my wife needed it to go to a nursing home and possible surgery after a fall. Does she have a case?

Living at this apartment complex for two years and my wife fell at dropbox to pay the rent the sign at the location say night deposit. We are encouraged to pay the rent there when the office is closed. There was an extremely large plant that's blocking it and the plant looked as if it was... View More

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Nov 9, 2024

Property owners and managers have a duty to maintain the premises in a reasonably safe condition for tenants, visitors, and other lawful guests. If the apartment complex failed to maintain a safe environment near the rent drop box, your wife may have a strong case for premises liability. If the... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Texas on
Q: My wife’s father put his 24 acres of land into an irrevocable trust with himself, his wife & one grandson as trustees.

He has 3 adult children & 4 other grandchildren.

Is it possible to break the trust upon his and his wife’s death & share the approx $1,000,000 worth of land equally between his 3 children or 5 grandchildren or all?

He is 95 & he created the trust 10 or more years ago... View More

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Nov 4, 2024

If all parties agree - all beneficiaries and all trustees - the trust can be terminated. If any party objects, the party seeking to terminate the trust must bring a lawsuit to terminate the trust and have a valid reason for doing so. Otherwise, the trust will continue to exist until the date of... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for California on
Q: Can I sue CHP for negligence after a high-speed pursuit caused an accident and injuries?

On July 29, 2024, CHP chased a suspect for over 15 miles at speeds exceeding 120 mph, continuing into a residential area with bystanders, including children. Despite the risks, CHP failed to terminate the pursuit, resulting in the suspect crashing into our vehicle, causing severe property damage... View More

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Nov 3, 2024

CHP officers have discretion in high-speed pursuits, but they have to consider public safety as mandated by their own policies and California law. Under Section 17004, officers can be immune from liability during a pursuit, but this immunity has limitations. If officers acted recklessly or failed... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Family Law and Real Estate Law for Texas on
Q: How can I get a Power of attorney document ?
James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Oct 30, 2024

If you are looking for a statutory durable power of attorney for finances or a medical power of attorney, you can access them through the Texas Department of Health and Human Services website. If you need a specific power of attorney for the sale or purchase of real estate, that will need to be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: revocable trust. land and mobile home on schedule A i was successor trustee and beneficiary. Can heirs file no admin

In probate. His heirs did nothing after his death for two years. Property was xfer to estate after it was already trnxfer to me

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Oct 30, 2024

The land and mobile home are titled assets. If the title to the mobile home and land were not transferred to the trust during the trust maker's lifetime then they do not transfer according to the terms of the trust and would instead be subject to probate, like the no administration necessary... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Real Estate Law, Landlord - Tenant and Probate for Georgia on
Q: on a special warranty deed with husband and wife name followed by "joint tenancy", are rights of survivorship automatic
James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Oct 29, 2024

If the tenancy was intended to be joint tenancy and not tenancy in common, survivorship rights should be automatic. If that is the case, the only thing necessary to vest title in the survivor would be a Affidavit of Survivorship and a copy of the death certificate. A complete review of the deed... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for California on
Q: Was contacted by a private detective relating to about my late Dad /?Aunt estate/ to contact the attorney

I called a private detective he referred me to an attorney that needed to prove that I was my dad‘s daughter. I sent her proof and then she referred me to another attorney since a client already hired her in the matter she did not enclosed any kind of information so I contacted this attorney, and... View More

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Oct 30, 2024

It sounds like you are a surviving heir to the estate of your aunt and may be entitled to notice of the probate proceed and potentially compensation. Due to the death of your father, this has become more complicated and involves you and your siblings, if you have any. You may be entitled to some... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Georgia on
Q: I was named to be executor in Georgia for a friends estate. Her son is in objecting to this. I no longer want to be….

the executor. I haven’t been appointed yet and want to resign from this. Too much hassle. Can I do this?

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Oct 29, 2024

You cannot be forced to be the executor. Make sure that you turn over the original will to the probate court and let the court know that you are declining the appointment as executor. If your friend's son is already in possession of the original will, let him know that you do not want to be... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: What are my legal rights for compensation before I file a quitclaim on the house I bought with my ex boyfriend?

I am on the deed for a house in Florida. Me and my then boyfriend got the house. He paid for the down payment and is paying the mortgage. I just wanted to know my legal rights for compensation as I decide to file for a quitclaim. This relationship ended badly since he abused and cheated on me. I... View More

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Oct 24, 2024

If the property is located in Florida, you can file a partition lawsuit. In the lawsuit, the court will decide how to equitable split the property. If that cannot be done, the court will order the sale of the property with the parties splitting the funds from the sale. This would be your best... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: Does my ex husband have to sign to refinance
James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Oct 23, 2024

If you qualify for the mortgage by yourself, it is possible to refinance without your ex husband's signature even if he was on the previous mortgage. The divorce decree may also provide some guidance on how and when the refinance can take place. Your ex husband may need to sign a deed to you... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Georgia on
Q: How do I preplace my name for my deceased on the home's deed which is listed as tenants in common

I am the executor of her state and have gone through probate but did not change the name at the time. I live in Florida, my mom's house in in Augusta ,Ga

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Oct 22, 2024

It depends on where probate was completed. If probate was completed within the State of Georgia, you will only need an executor's deed to transfer the property. If the probate was completed outside of the State of Georgia, you will need exemplified copies of the letters testamentary and will... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury for Texas on
Q: I was in a carcrash may 2023 in Texas had serious leg injury can I sue

I am still unable to walk need another surgery. My problem is I’m British I spend lot of time in Texas as my daughter lives there .

I had one surgery in Mexico and now waiting next surgery in uk I saw a lot of chiropractors in Texas in February March April and May so I’ve seen a lot of... View More

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Oct 16, 2024

If you were the passenger, you can bring a claim against the at fault driver, whether it is the driver of the car you were in or the driver of the other car. The biggest issue that you currently face is the statute of limitations, which requires you to bring the claim within two years of the... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Personal Injury and Domestic Violence for California on
Q: I'm staying at a hotel and I was attacked House keeping allowed this man to come in after I clearly said not to.

House keeping opened the door for him even after I said not to.

He was yelling and hitting the door.

His name is not even registered as a guest here.

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Oct 16, 2024

The hotel could potentially be liable based on negligence or premises liability. Hotels owe their guests a duty of care to ensure their safety and protect them from foreseeable harm. If you informed housekeeping not to allow the man inside and they still granted him access, this may constitute a... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for Texas on
Q: I live in Texas and was in a car accident. Can I negotiate the $2,000 the other insurance co is offering?

I live in Texas and was in a car accident in Sept. I received info from the other insurance company today that I am not at fault. It was road rage by the 25 y/o female. I'm 65 y/o. I pay out of pocket and then submit to PIP for my doctor visits, MR, x-rays, and PT. The insurance will pay for... View More

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Oct 11, 2024

Compensation for damages arising from an automobile accident is always negotiable. The amount of damages you receive is a combination of medical expenses, physical damage to your body, damages to your vehicle, and pain and suffering. When you are not represented by an attorney, the at-fault... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Texas on
Q: Home equity loan

My dad and stepmom are both on the deed/title to home. Stepmom just recently passed away and dad is looking to get a home equity loan for the property which is completely paid off. Stepmom has 2 adult children as heirs and there was no will. How could this be navigated to be able to get the loan?

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Oct 11, 2024

If the title to the property was held as joint tenants with right of survivorship or tenants by the entirety, your father would own the property solely in his name upon the passing of your stepmother. If the title was not held as joint tenants with right of survivorship or tenants by the entirety,... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury for Georgia on
Q: What does victims related offense mean on a incident report mean

Someone was shot it says victim related offense on the incident form

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Oct 10, 2024

The term "victim-related offense" on an incident report typically refers to the criminal offense that directly affected the victim in the case. It identifies the nature of the crime that resulted in harm or injury to the victim. This could include serious charges like aggravated assault,... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Georgia on
Q: In Georgia, when a person dies, who has a lifetime estate, when can the new owner enter the property?

The?

Property includes a house, 2 rental trailers, and a small shop on five acres. The widow who has a lifetime estate has a son not included in the estate that lives in one of the trailers.

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Oct 10, 2024

The new owner, those who are listed as the individuals who take ownership at the time of death of the life tenant, can enter immediately upon the death of the life tenant. These individuals are known as remaindermen in legal terminology. If there is a tenant or occupant of the property that was... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Foreclosure for California on
Q: A Notice of Default on our home equity loan (2nd loan) for our primary residence.

A Notice of Default on our home equity loan (2nd loan) for our primary residence was filed on July 30, 2024. This 2007 home equity loan was taken out solely by my mother who passed away in 2020. Furthermore, the first mortgage on the property, which is in my mother's name only and is with a... View More

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Oct 6, 2024

Addressing a default on a home equity loan, particularly one with the complexities you've described, involves understanding several legal principles.

The lender can foreclose on the deed of trust within 10 years after maturity if the recorded deed of trust recites a maturity date, and...
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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for California on
Q: Inherited house my parent lived in. I have a sibling living in there, no lease. It has been two years. How to get out?

The sibling has been difficult. Has changed things, like the locks, without consent. They have thrown things away that belonged to our parent. They have someone living there without my consent. They have no claim to it. They have done very minor up keep and repairs, but, again, without consent or... View More

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Oct 2, 2024

If you solely inherited a house and a sibling is living there without a lease or your consent, you can legally remove them through the following steps:

Notice to Quit: Issue a written notice requesting them to vacate the property. California law generally requires 30 days’ notice, but it...
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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for California on
Q: I own 20 acres of vacant land with another party. I have been solely paying the taxes for the last 9 years.

They recently passed away, but never paid their portion of the taxes. What can I do to obtain 100% ownership of the land or get the lot split

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Oct 2, 2024

Without buying out the other owner's share, you would need to file a partition to split the property between yourself and the other owner's estate. You can also file a claim for contribution against the estate or include the claim for contribution in the partition to have half of the... View More

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