Get free answers to your Probate legal questions from lawyers in your area.
My mother isn't listed as a beneficiary on my deceased father's ESOP, as stated by the company. Before he passed he told her that she was over everything. The company has not been very straightforward with us and she wants to try to challenge the beneficiary designation.Is there a certain... View More 
answered on Aug 8, 2021
More information is needed in order to fully answer your question. However, if there is no beneficiary listed on the account, and the company has no policy to the contrary, then the assets would go into your father's probate estate and would need to be probated before they can be distributed... View More
Many members of the family who doesn't pay taxes cannot be located. How can this be sold with a clear lien so that the taxpaying family can proceed with the sale? The offer was made in 2020.
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answered on May 26, 2021
You might have to file an Action for a Partition Sale. Hire a competent AR attorney to prosecute this Action which will probably involve some service by publication. The taxes paid might be recovered as contributions, but do not count on it.
How do i transfer the titles of her assets; homestead, bank accounts, etc. Some titles have transferred (automatically?) , but some have not. I thought probate court was avoided by having a rev. trust. Any help would be appreciated.
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answered on May 19, 2021
Assets that were in the trust when she died pass according to the terms of the trust. Assets that were not in the trust pass according to the terms of the will using the probate process. What you seem to have is a partially unfounded trust, which is less than ideal because it does not completely... View More
My grandfather died in 1983 and subsequently our probate court appointed administrator (my uncle) has since died over ten years ago, in 2010.
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answered on Apr 7, 2021
Yes. You will need to file a petition to appoint a substitute administrator.
My mother passed away in 2008 without a will. I had 1 brother and 1 sister at that time. We peacefully divided all of her belongings. Her home had a loan on it and neither of my siblings wanted to assume the loan or fix the home and sell it. They both provided a letter stating they had no interest... View More
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answered on Mar 5, 2021
You will need to hire a competent attorney to determine heirship, as the Mother's heirs probably own the property. Then record an Affidavit of Heirship. Finally ask the other heirs to quit claim deed their interests to you with the Affidavit listed in the derivation clauses as their source... View More
My father died without a will and my Sister and I are the only heirs. We have filed for collection of small estate and our 90 days are up. One of the properties is still in my great aunt and her partner's name and has passed through a couple of family members that were ill and was never deeded... View More
answered on Nov 18, 2020
Sounds like you have a complex title issue that needs to be reviewed by a competent attorney or title company. Your question simply doesn’t provide the information necessary to give you an accurate answer.
My father died without a will and my Sister and I are the only heirs. We have filed for collection of small estate and our 90 days are up. One of the properties is still in my great aunt and her partner's name and has passed through a couple of family members that were ill and was never deeded... View More
answered on Nov 18, 2020
Sounds like you have a complex title issue that needs to be reviewed by a competent attorney or title company. Your question simply doesn’t provide the information necessary to give you an accurate answer.
My dad died almost a month ago without a will. His estranged wife isn't communicating with me about the affairs of his estate since we received death certificates. They were separated (not legally) and had not lived together for 5 years. His personal bank account was solely in his name and had... View More
answered on Nov 3, 2020
You need to open a probate. You will most likely need the court to render a decision on who gets the money and probably go through the discovery process to figure out what happened with the money. The small estate affidavit process does not work in contested matters. She may have already filed a... View More
Of paper work I need to fill out to if I was to die before she 18 to make sure she stays with my sister and not go to foster care.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH T HARVEY
answered on Sep 2, 2020
You could designate your sister as a preference for guardian for your daughter in a Will. If you need assistance in drafting a will or other estate planning documents feel free to reach out to me.
She worked for the state for 30 years plus and had a diamond account and the shared a home with him me she always told me she had a inheritance for me but she died unexpectedly with out a will
answered on Jul 23, 2020
First, I am sorry for your loss. I am assuming that your grandmother passed away in Arkansas and that Arkansas laws apply to your situation. If your grandmother died without a will any property that is included in her probate estate would be divided between her surviving spouse (assuming that... View More
My divorced mother died intestate, and my sister and I are her only heirs.
We have obtained her credit reports and determined that aside from one small collection, her only debt is the mortgage to the home we would inherit jointly had she made a will, as that had always been her intent.... View More
answered on Jul 10, 2020
If the mortgage is your mother's only debt and the value of her estate after the balance on the house note is subtracted equals $100,000 or less, then you should be able to file the small estate affidavit. However, be aware that if your intent is to sell the home, most title companies will... View More
She is supposed to be on the will. Can other members of the family go to court without notifying my client?
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answered on Jun 29, 2020
Every beneficiary in a will must be notified.
My brother was a resident and died in Arkansas in 2014, leaving no known will. No wife or children. 3 siblings and one was appointed personal representative.He lives and works in Arkansas and bond was also waived. Have never been provided any documentation of estate, real estate property has been... View More
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answered on Jun 29, 2020
You definitely need your own attorney. The other attorney does NOT represent you.
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answered on Jun 20, 2020
Anything your fiancé owned wherever located is part of his probate estate. Some assets bypass the probate estate such as assets held in joint tenancy with another person with right of survivorship and assets with designated death beneficiaries. It would not have been possible for him to designate... View More
Yes was left a home in a Will but having trouble getting deed what do I need to do and don't know what probate is
answered on Jun 16, 2020
Probate is a court process that allows property to transfer to an heir or beneficiary after someone dies. A deed to land can be issued by the personal representative during the probate process. If you would like to talk about your case to determine whether probate is needed in your situation,... View More
He died in AK. The will was drawn in PA, where I live. I know his kids have to be served. I was told if they contest I would most likely get nothing. I have 3 options, let the house rot, serve them and take my chances or serve them and offer a deal up front! I cant believe I would be entailed to... View More
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answered on May 21, 2020
There are several questions that have to explored. When did he die? What were the terms of the will? (I would need to see the document). Without this information your question can not be answered.
He believes he gets all, Home, Tools, all antiques. He hasn’t even called to discuss if there is even a will. There are 3 in all to inherit the property. Total of it all land is valued at $250k tools and antiques probably if sold in auction another $175. I have not lived near them in years but... View More
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answered on May 15, 2020
If you can prove that your mom lacked the mental capacity to sign a deed when she signed it or that she had been subjected to undue influence, you might be able to convince a court to void the deed. You will need a fiduciary litigation attorney to help you.
answered on Apr 25, 2020
It depends. If you have documentation showing proof of ownership, and if you are confident an Arkansas probate judge would rule that you own the items. But be absolutely certain you can prove not only your ownership, but that you owned the property prior to the decedent’s death, and that no... View More
His girlfriend had a daughter with him and claimed she was his wife. They actually got married and now there's bigomy. I contacted the funeral home and informed them that she was not legally married to him and gave them info where to verify this and they did, so they changed the death... View More
answered on Feb 9, 2020
Hello,
Sorry you're having such a hard time. In Arkansas you have five years after a person dies to settle the estate.
You should contact a lawyer because you have described a couple issues that will need to be taken care of with precision.
Good luck!
Separate occasions that I would inherit the house and that he had a will. He also said he wanted my stepmother to live there until she dies. My dad passed away November 8, 2019. Now my stepmother says she can’t find the will. What should I do? Should I open probate or wait for her to die before I... View More
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answered on Jan 23, 2020
Wills do tend to "disappear" when the person in possession of it doesn't like what it says, but the person in possession does have a legal obligation to turn it over to the probate court. If you have ANY evidence that there was a will (a copy, someone who witnessed it being signed),... View More
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