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My Grandmother signed some documents while sick in a Hospital in PR and has since passed. Her Family never received a copy of the document signed and her heirs have not received their share of inheritence from the sale of a large multi-acre sale in Puerto Rico. My mother is now up in age and... View More
![James L. Arrasmith James L. Arrasmith](http://justatic.com/profile-images/1668636-1701034960-sl.png)
answered on Jun 25, 2024
Based on the information provided, there are a few potential avenues you could explore to research unclaimed funds from the sale of a family estate in Puerto Rico:
1. Departamento de Hacienda (Department of Treasury):
This is indeed a good place to start. The Departamento de... View More
She has illegitimate siblings from when he was unfaithful. HOWEVER, she was still his 1st LEGAL HEIR. Now he passed away back in 2000 and apparently left his house in P.R. to my mom even though they never really had that tight loving father/daughter relationship. He tried to rekindle many times but... View More
![James L. Arrasmith James L. Arrasmith](http://justatic.com/profile-images/1668636-1701034960-sl.png)
answered on Jun 10, 2024
In Puerto Rico, inheritance laws are based on the Civil Code, which can be quite specific about who inherits property. If your grandfather left the house to your mother in his will, she would be the legal heir to the property. Whether she accepts the inheritance or not is her decision, but it... View More
Person died in Puerto Rico 2022, property in Puerto Rico. Will written 1987 in NY not registered in puerto rico. What is the 1st document to be file, I'm told its call a complaint affidavit. This don't sound right. Could someone confirm
![Rafael Pagan-Colon Rafael Pagan-Colon](http://justatic.com/profile-images/1666076-1629396850-sl.jpeg)
answered on May 22, 2024
Actually, the first document that you require would be the deceased's death certificate. A will subscribed outside Puerto Rico may or may not comply with Puerto Rico rule of law, and it may be simpler to just file a Petition for a Declaration of Heirs from the Puerto Rico courts, given the... View More
![James L. Arrasmith James L. Arrasmith](http://justatic.com/profile-images/1668636-1701034960-sl.png)
answered on Apr 18, 2024
Probate laws in New York (NY) and Puerto Rico (PR) are separate and distinct, as they are two different jurisdictions. However, if your late husband owned properties in both NY and PR, the probate process will need to be initiated in each jurisdiction simultaneously. Here's what you should... View More
Is she entitled to claim,in puertorico
![Rafael Pagan-Colon Rafael Pagan-Colon](http://justatic.com/profile-images/1666076-1629396850-sl.jpeg)
answered on Apr 18, 2024
You do not specify to whom was your stepsister related. Neither do you specify when/where both spouses died. Under rule of law, your stepsister would not inherit from her step-parent. Nevertheless, she would inherit from her actual parent. If she was left out of both wills, her parent incurred in... View More
Dad has 2 kids from his first marriage. Mom bought the home while divorced from my dad they remarried and before divorcing again she added him to the property per the lawyer request. If he passes away would my mom be able to sell the property with out any consent from his kids from first marriage... View More
![Rafael Pagan-Colon Rafael Pagan-Colon](http://justatic.com/profile-images/1666076-1629396850-sl.jpeg)
answered on Apr 4, 2024
Having your parents divorced, the home becomes a community property, whereby both of your parents have an equal stake of 50% each. Upon either's death, the deceased parent's participation in the real estate will go to hir/her legal heirs. Prior to transmitting the succession rights, the... View More
My greataunt passed a few months ago. We notified the creditors and tried to cancel all cards. She left a will but the money she had was used for funeral and medical expenses in the months she was sick. She did leave some land though. Can the heirs in the will inherit the credit card debt? I know... View More
![James L. Arrasmith James L. Arrasmith](http://justatic.com/profile-images/1668636-1701034960-sl.png)
answered on Feb 28, 2024
According to Puerto Rico law, credit card debt is generally not inherited by heirs named in a will.
Specifically, Article 584 of the Puerto Rico Civil Code states that heirs are only responsible for a deceased person's debts up to the value of the property they inherit.
So if... View More
There’s 3 children but father left the will only to 1. This was approved by a lawyer. Can the other 2 children still fight to claim some of the will?
![James L. Arrasmith James L. Arrasmith](http://justatic.com/profile-images/1668636-1701034960-sl.png)
answered on Feb 4, 2024
In this situation, it's important to understand that the validity of a will and the rights of the children may vary depending on the laws of the jurisdiction in question, which, in this case, is Puerto Rico. In general, a person has the right to create a will and leave their assets to whomever... View More
House in Bayamon Puerto Rico. How do we claim house
![Rafael Pagan-Colon Rafael Pagan-Colon](http://justatic.com/profile-images/1666076-1629396850-sl.jpeg)
answered on Feb 2, 2024
In the absence of a will, the alternative is to go before the Court of First Instance of Bayamon to petition a declaration of heirs for each dead parent. In the case of the 2 dead children, their offsprings would inherit in their deceased parent's stead. After obtaining the declaration of... View More
One heir has fired her lawyers and then was none responsive for 3 years. Now she is hiring a new lawyer. Can she be held accountable for everything that has to be done again? Ex. Appraisal of the house. Also, am I at risk of losing any part of the inheritance? Ex. Money in bank accounts.
![James L. Arrasmith James L. Arrasmith](http://justatic.com/profile-images/1668636-1701034960-sl.png)
answered on Feb 1, 2024
In a Puerto Rico inheritance case where one heir has been unresponsive and caused delays, it can be challenging, but it does not necessarily mean you will lose your inheritance. The heir who has been unresponsive may face consequences for the delays, especially if it has caused additional expenses... View More
My parents have a property in Puerto Rico. There's five siblings. Father past away Mother is still alive, who's it belong to? The property is also in an incorporation. One sibling is president in the corporation, my Mother is vise-president and I'm secretary. Should this sibling pass... View More
![Rafael Pagan-Colon Rafael Pagan-Colon](http://justatic.com/profile-images/1666076-1629396850-sl.jpeg)
answered on Jan 8, 2024
The property will still belong to the corporation. As a rule, when a stockholder dies, his/her shares pass on to his/her heirs, unless an existing stockholders' agreement signed by them state otherwise.
![Rafael Pagan-Colon Rafael Pagan-Colon](http://justatic.com/profile-images/1666076-1629396850-sl.jpeg)
answered on Dec 28, 2023
The Puerto Rico rule of law defines a deceased person's estate as made up of the deceased's assets and liabilities. As such, any and all debts owed by the deceased person and/or by his (her) estate must be assumed by his (her) heirs up to the amount inherited. Thus, the to answer your... View More
All the arrangements had been prepaid by him and my sisters and I paid for the remaining items. After obtaining the Declaration of Heirs, we found out about the money withdrawn by my aunt when the money was not hers. I spoke to the bank and they said she was authorized on the account and had the... View More
![Rafael Pagan-Colon Rafael Pagan-Colon](http://justatic.com/profile-images/1666076-1629396850-sl.jpeg)
answered on Dec 18, 2023
Except that your aunt had a legitimate reason for taking the money out of the account (for which she'd need to present receipts), your late dad's estate is owner of those moneys until the probate processes are completed. Either by your father having left a will or going through the Puerto... View More
![Ramon Olivencia Ramon Olivencia](http://justatic.com/profile-images/1522985-1586438380-sl.png)
answered on Dec 10, 2023
Due to the particularities and legal requirements needed for a Declaration of Heirs in Puerto Rico, an attorney is highly recommended. That way, you can rest assured that the petition is filed correctly before the courts. Any errors could negatively affect the rest of the documents that are... View More
How do you renounce inheritance in Puerto Rico and find out property tax status (have the taxes been paid)? Also, if we renounce inheritance, can we shift the property to a relative who lives there? We live in the United States.
![James L. Arrasmith James L. Arrasmith](http://justatic.com/profile-images/1668636-1701034960-sl.png)
answered on Nov 19, 2023
To renounce an inheritance in Puerto Rico, you must formally declare your intention to do so within a specific timeframe, usually within nine months of the decedent's death. This declaration is made before a notary in Puerto Rico. It's a definitive decision, meaning once you renounce, you... View More
![Rafael Pagan-Colon Rafael Pagan-Colon](http://justatic.com/profile-images/1666076-1629396850-sl.jpeg)
answered on Aug 29, 2023
Assuming that your late father lived and died in Puerto Rico, and having a copy of your father's death certificate, a request can be made to the Office of Notary Inspections ("ODIN", by its Spanish acronym), with whom are filed all the wills subscribed in the Commonwealth of Puerto... View More
We have spoke to all the neighbors in the area and found the owner to be deceased and the place has been empty for about 6 years or since Hurricane Maria. How can we take the property in good faith. What actions need to be taken.
![Rafael Pagan-Colon Rafael Pagan-Colon](http://justatic.com/profile-images/1666076-1629396850-sl.jpeg)
answered on Jul 18, 2023
Under Puerto Rico Rule of Law, you would need to be in pacific possession of said real estate property, openly, and (in the mind of your neighbors) as if you were the owners of said property. This would need to continue for 20 years, the go before a court of law to request said adverse possession... View More
Mother died in Nov 2022 & step-father (who never had biological children) died the following Apr 2023. They left $12K in savings & home with an existing morgage. Four adult children (2 sons & 2 daughters) and dead spouse are currently named in the Certificado de Herederos. Two... View More
![Rafael Pagan-Colon Rafael Pagan-Colon](http://justatic.com/profile-images/1666076-1629396850-sl.jpeg)
answered on Jul 12, 2023
Any repudiations must be formalized through a deed poll subscribed by the heir who rejects his/her inheritance. If an heir is gaslighting you, you'll need to take the case before a court of law. Who'll either order the heir to formally reply whether he wishes his inheritance or not. If... View More
My brother was never married and he didn't leave a will. No one has ever cosigned for him. He doesn't own any property and was living in my Moms house. His only assets are his two bank accounts. One of the accounts paid the funeral expenses but there could be some money left in that... View More
![Rafael Pagan-Colon Rafael Pagan-Colon](http://justatic.com/profile-images/1666076-1629396850-sl.jpeg)
answered on Jul 10, 2023
First off, I regret your loss. Did your brother have any children? If not, are either or both of his (your) parents alive? If so, your parents would be his heirs. If your parents have passed, then you and any other siblings that you may have would be the heirs.
In order to file a Petition... View More
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