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Questions Answered by Lauren Nagel Richardson
2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: Estate: Mortgage if I transfer the house to my name what to do about the mortgage? house worth 230k min?

Daughter died House refinanced in 2018. should have owed 138 left on house worth 230-300 k. What happens once house goes in my name(mom) in estate. Can I continue to pay her mortgage or would I have to refinance. How does it work? Or is it up to mortgage company.

Lauren Nagel Richardson
Lauren Nagel Richardson
answered on May 19, 2021

Once the judge has signed the homestead order which transfers the home to you, subject to the mortgage, you will provide a certified copy of the order to the mortgage lender, and the lender will acknowledge you as the homeowner. Under federal law, the lender cannot require you to assume the loan or... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Florida on
Q: Once you are eligible for Florida Medicare can you live in any assisted living facility?
Lauren Nagel Richardson
Lauren Nagel Richardson
answered on Apr 28, 2021

There is currently no Medicare benefit for assisted living. Assisted living is typically private pay unless you have long term care insurance.

There is a Medicare benefit for rehab in a rehab hospital after a hospital stay and some home care visiting nurse or visiting rehab after a...
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3 Answers | Asked in Probate for Florida on
Q: My mom died 2 years ago no will. She left us her house and car. No debts left. Do we need to probate?

Two of us live in the home. We are trying to put the house and vehicle in our names. So lost on everything. Our dad died 18 years ago. I am the oldest and I am handling everything.

Lauren Nagel Richardson
Lauren Nagel Richardson
answered on Apr 21, 2021

Yes, you will need to open the estate or the property will remain in your mother's name. If two years have passed or if the property is homestead and is the only asset in the estate, then you can file for what is called a summary administration. Our office handles summary administration for a... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Probate for Florida on
Q: I am wondering what type of Deed do I need to transfer property into my name that I inherited? I live in Orlando Fl.

The Will has been filled and I have the death certificate and original Will. I was told that all I had to do was fill out the deed have it notarized and signed by 2 witnesses. Also enclose death certificate and a copy of the Will and take it to the Clerk of the Country Office? Thank you in advance... View More

Lauren Nagel Richardson
Lauren Nagel Richardson
answered on Mar 31, 2021

Having a will does not avoid the probate process. If a person in Florida dies owning real property in their individual name, then an heir or a person named in a will must file a petition to open a probate case. If the property was homestead property, then the judge will sign a homestead order which... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: FL Intestate succession when decedent and descendants have passed. Who has claim to estate?

Decedent had no will at time of death and surviving son never had deed/title changed. Now surviving son has passed. Decedent was divorced from Son's father when she purchased estate.

Lauren Nagel Richardson
Lauren Nagel Richardson
answered on Mar 29, 2021

The Florida Intestate Statute will help you determine who are the heirs. If the son survived the decedent and then died, and the son was the mother's only heir, then the son's estate is the heir of the mother's estate. You would then be asking the question, who is the son's... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Elder Law for Florida on
Q: My friend had 2 place her daddy in a facility, SHE asked me 2 move in her daddys place , in order to keep her

homestead exemption going.. ? she hired a lawyer for his estate & THEY SAID no one can rent or live there. because it , would not meet medicare restrictions , she would not recieve payments for her daddys care in the facility ?... IS THIS TRUE OR FALSE ?

Lauren Nagel Richardson
Lauren Nagel Richardson
answered on Mar 23, 2021

It is true that her father would lose his homestead exemption and the value of his home would then be a countable asset for Medicaid purposes (not Medicare) and be subject to claims after his death if the home is rented to an unrelated third party. A child or grandchild can reside in the home and... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Florida on
Q: My girlfriend mother passed away and left a home wit no will, she has not paid the mortgage since October, can she sell

The house if she gets a probate lawyer to change it over to her name and it there a flat fee for this service, or what would she pay, we spoke to a lawyer who’s asking for $700 as a retainer and $4100 once the property is sold

Lauren Nagel Richardson
Lauren Nagel Richardson
answered on Mar 4, 2021

You should shop around and see if you can find an attorney who will handle a summary administration of a homestead only for a flat fee you can afford. My office handles homestead only estates for a flat fee. You are welcome to call our office for a free phone consultation and a quote. Once the... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Florida on
Q: Does the Successor Trustee have to provide an accounting once per year to a beneficiary of a voluntary trust?

The trust in question was set up by my wife who was found to be incompetent by two physicians and replaced by the Successor Trustee. I am a beneficiary of the Trust. The successor Trustee says that she need not provide an accounting unless my wife predeceases me. Is she correct?

Lauren Nagel Richardson
Lauren Nagel Richardson
answered on Mar 3, 2021

I think that it would depend on if you could make a credible argument that the trust has become irrevocable due to the incapacity of the grantor and thus you are now a qualified beneficiary who has a right to an annual accounting even though the grantor is still living. I would recommend that you... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Probate for Florida on
Q: Is it normal for probate attorneys to request to hold onto the checkbook from the estate account
Lauren Nagel Richardson
Lauren Nagel Richardson
answered on Feb 19, 2021

It is likely that this attorney is just acting out of an abundance of caution and wants to make sure that you only write checks for estate expenses or make distributions to the beneficiaries only at the appropriate time. I have done this in some cases, but not in all cases.

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2 Answers | Asked in Probate for Florida on
Q: Was told the Will did not need to be probated since there are no tangible assets, only money with a co-owner.

My mother (FL resident) recently passed away. She did not own a home or motor vehicle; she only had financial accounts (checking, savings, IRA , Annuity). She had a Will prepared about 15 years ago naming myself and brother (50%) and step-children (50%). However, all her accounts were held in her... View More

Lauren Nagel Richardson
Lauren Nagel Richardson
answered on Feb 4, 2021

Unless it can be shown by certain evidence that a joint ownership of an account was intended by the your mother was for convenience only, then each account passes to the co-owner without probate administration. The will only dictates how probate assets are distributed. Probate assets are limited to... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Florida on
Q: My home is paid off .the person I bought from will not sing off on deed or give me a quick claim deed is there anything
Lauren Nagel Richardson
Lauren Nagel Richardson
answered on Jan 11, 2021

This is a contested real estate matter. You will need to speak with a real estate attorney.

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1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Florida on
Q: Hi, Can a partial cash distribution be done from a trust with both cash and a home in Florida?

The trust has 4 beneficiaries and I am trying to figure out if I have the right to a portion of the cash before the home sells or if I have to wait for the home to sell to receive any payment.

Lauren Nagel Richardson
Lauren Nagel Richardson
answered on Jan 5, 2021

If you are a trustee in Florida, I would recommend that you consult with a probate and trust attorney before you make any distributions. If the trust is in another state but with real estate in Florida, you may need to consult with an attorney in the state in which the trust is being administered.... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Florida on
Q: Where can I find help for a friend who is on limited income, medicaid, etc and wants to update his will?

This person owns a house which has no mortgage, but hasn't updated his will for over 20 years. He asked me for recommendations, so I am trying to research his least costly options.

Lauren Nagel Richardson
Lauren Nagel Richardson
answered on Dec 14, 2020

Please let me know what county your friend resides in, and I can help you locate the appropriate pro bono legal services organization.

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1 Answer | Asked in Probate and Estate Planning for Florida on
Q: i am interested in learning if I have a right to make a claim to my fathers estate.

My father passed away October 29. He was never married to my mother and his name is not on my birth certificate. He did not tell me he was my father until I was in my 20's. We did not have any kind of relationship. He never provided for me in any way while I was growing up (on and off... View More

Lauren Nagel Richardson
Lauren Nagel Richardson
answered on Nov 9, 2020

The Florida Probate Code states that you would need to have some proof that you were his child. This could be in the form of a written statement by him acknowledging that he is your father or an adjudication of paternity by a court (either in a paternity case or in a child support case). One of... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Banking and Estate Planning for Florida on
Q: An individual becomes incompetent can the executor of the estate perform financial matters?

Can the health poa also perform financial matters if someone is incompetent ?

Lauren Nagel Richardson
Lauren Nagel Richardson
answered on Nov 4, 2020

You would need the person to have signed a durable power of attorney giving you financial decision making powers before they became incapacitated. A health care surrogate cannot make financial decisions. If you do not have a durable power of attorney and someone needs to make financial decisions... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Florida on
Q: In Florida, is there any requirement for a successor Trustee of a Living Trust to file with probate or other agency

The original Trustee has just passed away. All Wills and Trust documents are complete according to State law

Lauren Nagel Richardson
Lauren Nagel Richardson
answered on Nov 3, 2020

The successor trustee should file a Notice of Trust in the county of residence of the deceased Grantor. This filing involves a filing fee of $41.00. There are also quite a few other administrative responsibilities of a successor trustee for which the guidance of an attorney is highly recommended,... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Probate for Florida on
Q: I have my deceased fathers car and cannot find the title. How do I transfer the title that is missing to my name?

I never met my father and only occasionally spoke with him. He lived and registered the car in North Carolina but was down in Florida when he passed. The detective who found him contacted me, his only living kin, and told me to come get his things. I insured the car, flew down to Florida to pick it... View More

Lauren Nagel Richardson
Lauren Nagel Richardson
answered on Oct 28, 2020

There will be a process in either NC or GA to get a copy of lost title and transfer title to you as the heir. This is not a Florida matter.

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Florida on
Q: Father died will prob. step mom had lifetime estate died recently how do I take possession of home i was left in will?

I need to take possession of the home in montgomery. There is no mortgage. Taxes and insurance are current. What steps do I take first?

Lauren Nagel Richardson
Lauren Nagel Richardson
answered on Oct 13, 2020

If the property is located in Montgomery, Alabama, then you will to post this question in the Alabama probate Justia forum. If the property is located in Florida, and there was previously an estate administration for your father which provided a life estate to your stepmom with remainder to you on... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Elder Law for Florida on
Q: I was recently made sole beneficiary and POA from my elder friend of 28 years. Will I need to file anything now?

He is alive but has 2 people renting rooms in his home he owns. I want to protect myself but also not sure if I need to do anything now? What happens if he becomes incapacitated? Should I meet with any attorney now? Thanks

Lauren Nagel Richardson
Lauren Nagel Richardson
answered on Jun 15, 2020

As agent, you can meet specifically with an elder law attorney who can review your friend's financial picture to determine if there is anything you could be doing (or shouldn't do) as POA to help him qualify for Medicaid and other long term care benefits if he were to need nursing care in... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Florida on
Q: What are my options for my adult son who refues to talk to me about my house that he lives in in a different state?

I left ny in Feb 2016 was threatened if I went back to retrieve my personal belongings. My adult son still lives in the home and refuses to talk to me since I left. His dad passed away last saterday. Everything is in my name. What are my legal rights and options?

Lauren Nagel Richardson
Lauren Nagel Richardson
answered on Jun 9, 2020

You will need to hire a NY attorney to file an eviction action.

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