If your grandparents did not have a will, the default inheritance rules of the State of Illinois apply. Under the default inheritance rules, the first in line to inherit are the spouse and children of the decedent. Grandchildren would only inherit assets if their parent (the child of the decedent)... View More

As a recently appointed administrator of an estate, you are required to provide 1) a notice to heirs and legatees of rights in independent administration (if it is indeed independent administration) 2) claims notice published in the newspaper 3) notice to known creditors mailed directly to them.... View More

In cases where the most recent deed in the chain of title reflects title held by co-owners "as joint tenants" and one of the co-owners passes away, the next step would be to

(1) complete a Surviving Tenant Affidavit a/k/a Deceased Joint Tenant Affidavit (example form:... View More

An Executor's Deed or Administrator's Deed is generally utilized when the Representative is "selling" real estate to a third party.

On the other hand, when a representative is merely releasing the estate's interest in the property and confirming title in the heirs... View More

There is no such thing as "claiming" the house. If property is owned by someone who dies, then that property can be transferred by small estate affidavit if the amount is small and there is no real estate. Here, you are dealing with real estate, so the small estate affidavit is not an... View More

Powers of attorney and guardianships end at death. The only person with any legal authority is the executor of the will, who will have letters of office. That person has to see to it that bills are paid, including the funeral, cremation, etc.

Anthony M. Avery Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Sep 14, 2022

Tax laws and ERISA Qualification laws come to mind. Banking Statutes also cover Trust Regulation. Securities Law may often be indirectly determinative. There are probably many others. Obviously Anti-Trust Statutes. State Laws control most disputes, but Trusts often involve several possible... View More

I’m so sorry to hear of your loss; I hope you’re hanging in there.

When someone has a trust, the purpose is to avoid probate. The way you avoid probate when you have a trust is to fund the trust by making sure the trust is listed as beneficiary (or owner) of assets. There are... View More

I'm so sorry to hear of your mother's passing; I hope you're hanging in there.

Her estate may need to go through probate. Probate court proceedings are needed when 1) someone owns real estate or 2) other cumulative assets that don't name a joint owner or beneficiary... View More

This is actually a probate question, not a copyright question. You should consult a probate attorney in California.

Without a will or trust, the law of "intestate succession" governs who inherits. California is a "community property" state., so all the decedent's... View More

Just to be clear, affidavits of heirship are filed in conjunction with a petition to open an estate. If your grandparents have filed such a petition, you can appear in that case and let the court know where you stand and provide the court with relevant facts. If no such petition has been filed,... View More

The short answer to your question is "yes."

The longer answer is that the executor's duty is to "carry out the wishes of the decedent," acting in the utmost good faith to protect the interests of the beneficiaries, "exercising at the very least that degree of... View More

A Ward has the opportunity to seek to restore himself or herself at any time. This request can be made to the Judge directly or to the Guardian ad Litem (if one was appointed). Though it's not required, it would aide the Judge in making a determination that your circumstances have changed so... View More

John, I'm sorry to hear what you're all going through.

In Illinois, wills are required to be signed and witnessed by two people. If there is a will, all wills need to be filed in the county in which the Decedent resided within 30 days of death. If there is a valid will, and it... View More

I'm so sorry to hear about your mom; I hope you're all hanging in there.

If the property was owned as joint tenants with right of survivorship, your brother is now the sole owner. A small estate affidavit can then be used to transfer other property, so long as it's cumulative... View More

This is a great question, but it should be asked of a lawyer licensed to practice in Puerto Rico. I strongly encourage you to do so.

No, he can't unless your mother leaves it to him in a will or she transfers the property to him through a deed or other conveyance.

Nina Whitehurst Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 4, 2021

You need to open a bank account for the estate. To do that, you will need a federal tax id number for the estate and the letters testamentary from the court appointing you as executor. After opening that bank account, you can deposit the check into the estate bank account.

Sorry for your loss, Amber. If you are sure that there is a will, and if you are sure that your cousin is the executor, you should ask the executor. These things do take time to work themselves out, so depending on "recently", it may still have a lot of time before it is all said and... View More

Without knowing the specific facts it is hard to tell what is going on here. For example, if your dad had transferred the real estate to her during his lifetime, then she is within her rights to sell the property as she is the rightful owner. You could check with the Recorder of Deeds in the... View More