Ask a Question

Get free answers to your legal questions from lawyers in your area.

Lawyers, increase your visibility by answering questions and getting points. Answer Questions
Questions Answered by Howard E. Kane
2 Answers | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law and Legal Malpractice for California on
Q: How do I complain a lawyer to the State Bar? California

As the title - How do I complain a lawyer to the State Bar? California. Not my attorney but the opposing party's.

Howard E. Kane
PREMIUM
Howard E. Kane
answered on Feb 6, 2025

Once you’ve decided to take your grievance about an attorney to the State Bar, you then need to file an attorney complaint form through the State Bar of California website. Click on "Complaints and Claims" at the top of their webpage and you will be steered in the right direction.... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Probate for California on
Q: My aunt filed a joint tenant affidavit with out any one knowing now she trying to sell the home what can I do

The house was given to my mother from my grandfather and after she passed away instead of her husband or children inheritance her siblings said it was now all of there's and they filed a joint tenant affidavit but they don't live at the house I do. They haven't paid any taxes on the... View More

Howard E. Kane
PREMIUM
Howard E. Kane
answered on Oct 24, 2024

If the house was properly deeded to your mother, then the house remains in her estate. If your mother did not have a Trust or pay on death Deed, then title to the property must be cleared up through the probate process in Riverside if Riverside is where your mom resided at the time she passed. I... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Probate and Estate Planning for California on
Q: I would like to take adverse possession of an abandoned property. Where should I start as far as legal process goes?

The neighbors cut my locks and relocked the gate that I used to gain entry. I had documented the adverse possession sign that I posted before then and I documented the conditions of the property. The house has been abandoned over 20 years and the neighbors dont believe I have the right to be there.... View More

Howard E. Kane
PREMIUM
Howard E. Kane
answered on Oct 1, 2024

Since the previous owner is deceased, you will need to sue the estate of the decedent for adverse possession. Hence, the first step should be to petition the probate court to appoint an administrator of the decedent's estate. Once an administrator is appointed, you can then proceed with an... View More

View More Answers

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

Howard E. Kane
PREMIUM
Howard E. Kane
answered on May 31, 2024

Any interested person can become the administrator of a probate estate if nobody objects. However, non-family members have no right to inherit probate property. Keep in mind that an affidavit to obtain probate property for an estate worth less than $184,500 does not involve the court and does not... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Probate for California on
Q: DISCLOSURE OF RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN FIDUCIARY, ATTORNEYS, AND OTHER AGENTS HIRED BY FIDUCIARY

"Petitioner has no personal, financial or other relationship with attorneys or other agents hired by the petitioner"

Is it correct to leave out this section on a Petition for Final Distribution if petitioner is acting in Pro Per?

Thank you.

Howard E. Kane
PREMIUM
Howard E. Kane
answered on May 8, 2024

This paragraph should be included in the Petition for Final Distribution. In the alternative, you should describe your relationship with those hired by you. For instance, if family members cleaned out and hauled debris from the probate property and you paid them, then this relationship should be... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Probate and Estate Planning for California on
Q: I have letters of admission limited powers for my mom's estate. Can I have the deed transfered to me? I'm her son

There are no other persons or debtors .

I live in her home and need to get the taxes at the assesser office in my name but I must be on the deed to her home.

Howard E. Kane
PREMIUM
Howard E. Kane
answered on Dec 1, 2023

The transfer is accomplished via court Order, not by a Deed. So no, you cannot transfer the property to yourself. Once all procedural requirements have been met, including the preparation and filing of an Inventory and Appraisal, you or your representative will file with the court a Petition for... View More

View More Answers

3 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Landlord - Tenant and Probate for California on
Q: My brother passed away this week in his Apartment. I want to get access to his apt. to retrieve personal items.

What are my rights? He did not have a will

Howard E. Kane
PREMIUM
Howard E. Kane
answered on Feb 1, 2025

I'm very sorry to hear about your brother's passing. I understand your need and desire to gain access to his apartment. The process involves petitioning the court for Letters of Special Administration which can give you temporary powers to access his apartment. Feel free to reach out... View More

View More Answers

3 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Real Estate Law, Arbitration / Mediation Law and Probate for California on
Q: ambulance picked dad up from that point forward I wsn't allowed to go over, my aunt said so I doubt will even find will

I feel like I have been robbed of my inheritance, my aunt took it upon herself to be in charge of all of my dad's belongings, the deed was under both my father and his sisters name, she sold it and has not once reached out to talk to me and my sister, the beneficiaries since my dad and mother... View More

Howard E. Kane
PREMIUM
Howard E. Kane
answered on Jan 14, 2025

I'm very sorry to hear about your aunt and the possible loss of inheritance. How did your father hold title to the property? Did he own the property in Joint Tenancy with his sister? If so, at least on paper she is entitled to his half of the property upon death. A copy of the Deed would... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Probate for California on
Q: In a probate case, if a legal heir assigns her interest to another, is an accounting to her required or not?

As a result of the assignment, I am now the sole beneficiary. I am also the administrator of the estate. I would like to know if I need to sign a waiver of accounting and if the assignor also needs to sign a waiver.

Howard E. Kane
PREMIUM
Howard E. Kane
answered on Jan 3, 2025

I recommend that both of you sign waivers, however, technically you may not need to sign a waiver.

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Probate for California on
Q: My sister who fraudulently claimed the title on our family home recently passed away

and I need help brother in law (non-relative) is trying to steal our family home of 61 years?

Howard E. Kane
PREMIUM
Howard E. Kane
answered on Dec 18, 2024

Since your sister is now deceased, the probate court may be able to reverse the fraud assuming ample paperwork is submitted to establish the fraud. Call me or another seasoned probate and real estate attorney for a consultation and to gather more information so this can be sorted out.

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for California on
Q: My uncle passed away and his house is in probate, I petitioned for letters of administration

My court date isnt for 2 more months, the issue is when my uncle passed he had a tenant whose rental agreement was up and he was not going to renew it and a freeloader who my uncle had told he had 30 days to get out. How do i get them out as fast as possible. They are destroying the property, they... View More

Howard E. Kane
PREMIUM
Howard E. Kane
answered on Nov 14, 2024

I'm sorry to hear about your uncle passing and the freeloading tenant. I recommend hiring an attorney who may do the following: Secure Letters of Special Adminstration, which will expire when you are appointed Administrator. The petition for special administration should include special... View More

View More Answers

4 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Probate for California on
Q: In California, which form do you use to respond to a Petition for Instructions in a probate case?

Trustee has filed a Petition for Instructions and I would like to respond to this request

Howard E. Kane
PREMIUM
Howard E. Kane
answered on Oct 8, 2024

I agree with the answers posted, however, the Response should be Verified which is a specific typed Verification paragraph that is signed under penalty of perjury and attached as the last page of the Response. You can locate a sample Verification on most court websites. Good luck with this.

View More Answers

3 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Probate for California on
Q: I need help getting my inheritance from my half sister with no money down.

I need someone to help me get my inheritance from my half sister asap with no money down.

Howard E. Kane
PREMIUM
Howard E. Kane
answered on May 31, 2024

I may be able to assist you. Call me to see how I may be able to assist.

View More Answers

3 Answers | Asked in Probate for California on
Q: If the decedent lives you everything including house and contents do you have to file probate and you are the only famil

Member alive

Howard E. Kane
PREMIUM
Howard E. Kane
answered on May 28, 2024

If the decedent left you the property through a living trust, then you may not need to file a probate petition. If the property was left to you via a Will, then you most likely need to file a probate petition.

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Probate for California on
Q: Can I sell a vehicle before probate

Estate valued at approximately $400K.

Howard E. Kane
PREMIUM
Howard E. Kane
answered on Nov 30, 2023

If the vehicle is in the name of the decedent, then you need to wait until you are appointed administrator of the estate. Good luck with this.

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Probate for California on
Q: How can I file with probate 6541
Howard E. Kane
PREMIUM
Howard E. Kane
answered on Oct 26, 2023

Per Probate Code section 6541, the court may grant or modify a family allowance on petition of any interested person. This can be done ex parte or via a regularly noticed petition, depending on whether or not an Inventory and Appraisal has been filed. In short, like most requests to the probate... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Probate for California on
Q: I am beneficiary of my mother's bank account. She died without a will. Her assets are less than 185000. My sister took

Car w/o my knowledge or consent. From my research since there is no will beneficiaries pass probate and become owner of her property. True or not?

Howard E. Kane
PREMIUM
Howard E. Kane
answered on Sep 18, 2023

The cash in the bank should be obtained via the small estate affidavit process described by attorney Whitehurst. The vehicle requires different paperwork which gets submitted to the DMV:

An Affidavit for Transfer Without Probate California Titled Vehicle or Vessels Only (REG 5) form may be...
View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Probate for California on
Q: Successor Trustee/Fiduciary Duties for a Home in Need of Renovation but No Liquid Cash in the Estate?

I have sole successor trustee/fiduciary duty for my late grandparents' estate and they have a vacation home that I have to sell. Unfortunately the place was recently trashed by an unscrupulous family member who also happens to be one of two other beneficiaries including myself.

I was... View More

Howard E. Kane
PREMIUM
Howard E. Kane
answered on Sep 13, 2023

Hello. I am a probate attorney and licensed real estate broker. Oftentimes realtors can obtain financing through their company to handle renovations. I recommend calling around to local companies to see who may be able to assist with financing the repairs and renovations.

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Probate for California on
Q: Using the state provided DE-121 PDF form, I can't get all the AKAs in the "Estate of" box. The judge said fix it. How?

The PDF does not let you alter the type size or add a second line. Same problem with all the state PDFs.

Howard E. Kane
PREMIUM
Howard E. Kane
answered on Aug 28, 2023

I recommend using free online pdf editing software such as DocHub. This will allow you to change the font and crunch all of the aka names in. Good luck with this.

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for California on
Q: My father recently died. He and my stepmother and are the settlors of their revocable trust. Am I, as his child,

entitled to a copy of the trust if my stepmother is still alive? My stepmother also mentioned I am a co-trustee. I have not received a copy of the trust.

Howard E. Kane
PREMIUM
Howard E. Kane
answered on Aug 10, 2023

Under California law (Probate Code section 16061.7) every trust beneficiary, and every heir-at-law of the decedent, is entitled to receive a copy of the trust document. However, the beneficiaries only have the right to obtain a copy of the trust when their rights have vested. The beneficiary’s... View More

View More Answers

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.