Get free answers to your Estate Planning legal questions from lawyers in your area.
Girlfriend passed away and Left a handwri statement saying I could stay on her property in a house until I die
answered on Apr 26, 2020
The probate court would need to determine that the handwritten statement satisfies the requirements for a holographic will. You will probably need a probate attorney to help you.
My grandparents had a few hundred acres in Alabama that was left to my dad and brother in a tenants in common warranty deed. My dad seems to think (but I want to confirm) that when he passes away that his portion will automatically go to my mom, and if she passes then to me. There is no will (to... View More
answered on Apr 25, 2020
Assuming all of the children are children of your mom and dad's marriage, when you dad dies your mother will inherit the first $50,000 of his estate and half of the rest and everything else will go to the children (all of them) in equal shares. If your mom later dies without a will her estate... View More
answered on Apr 6, 2020
By co-owner I am making the assumption that the account was held by two people as joint tenants with a right of survivorship. You must confirm that with the bank. If one person dies, then the money -- at law -- is the property of the other at the moment of death. I don't see from your question... View More
If he receives any money Medicare will take his benefits away. Dad died without taking brother's name off insurance as beneficiary. I can disclaim his insurance benefit, but what happens to his benefit if I do? How long is any disclaimer in effect? What can I do to prevent Medicare from... View More
answered on Mar 12, 2020
You probably mean Medicaid not Medicare. The disclaimer would be considered an uncompensated transfer and your brother willl incur a penalty period. There are better ways to handle this. Consult with an elder law attorney in your area. Most likely you will be looking at a strategy that combines... View More
Will conservator be under probate court until incapacitated person dies?
answered on Feb 16, 2020
Yes, that is the nature of conservatorships. Conservatorships are avoidable with proper estate planning.
I could not get the information on the above line. His wife could do as she pleased with her half. She hates me so I am concerned. With dad on his morphine deathbed, she had the executor changed and I was told she could do that because once dad died it went to her. Do we have to wait until she dies... View More
answered on Jan 24, 2020
I hate to tell you this, but based upon the facts as you have related them, it is entirely possible that you will inherit nothing if your dad left everything to his wife in his will, because now his widow can do anything she wants with your dad's estate. If he left anything to you in his... View More
Will that cause a problem trying to probate the will? Does he need to be local?
answered on Dec 28, 2019
If the executor named one the will is incapable or unwilling the court can appoint someone else. You can hire a probate attorney and ask the court to appoint you.
I moved out of my home to care for them in 2015. I continue to live in the house while the will is being probated. I want to know who pays the mortgage, insurance, home owners association fee, lawn care, termite bond, pest control, and utility bill during this time. I live in Alabama. Thank... View More
answered on Dec 16, 2019
I am sorry for your losses. It is hard to give a specific answer that you can rely upon, as some additional information is necessary. However, in general the estate will be responsible for paying for those expenses. If you continue to live in the home, the estate (through the Executor) may... View More
How much money the lawyer put into his personal account? He said it was what the accident insurance paid but we never seen proof of how much
answered on Dec 7, 2019
Your question bridges four categories and it would be best for an attorney who is knowledgeable in Estate/Probate matters to address the estate-related aspect of it. As for the personal injury-based aspect of your question, it shouldn't be a problem for an attorney who represented a plaintiff... View More
House in grandmas name still. My aunt wants in her name and claims we still will inherit after she passes. But by us signing over we are giving up any right,right?
I dont believe her and she says its Alabama law no matter what?
answered on Dec 6, 2019
If you put the house in your aunt's name, then she can sell it to whomever she wants or leave it to whomever she wants in her will. If you are OK with that, then go ahead and do it. If you are not OK with that, then both your grandma's estate and your father's estate need to be... View More
Sold for 500k. He passed away and probate is still open . I know there is a 10yr limitation , however if I was home and wasnt advise about sale someone said I could file motion in probate for half of the sale price. Because a POA suppose to benefit the principle and since I was home I should have... View More
answered on Nov 18, 2019
It does sound like you need to take court action and quickly, but this is not something that you can handle on your own. You really need to seek out an experienced probate and real estate attorney to help you with this matter. It will help the attorney if you first visit the probate court and... View More
My sister passed in March. She didn't have and assets or children so their was no reason for a will. Yesterday I received a check made to her in a class action lawsuit. Can I do anything with it?
answered on Oct 18, 2019
Unfortunately, no. You would have to follow some sort of probate procedure to get the funds transferred to her intestate heirs. The amount of class action settlement checks are normally so small that unless there are other assets, just the costs of publication (not to mention assistance of an... View More
I am in Alabama the document pertains to my Alabama property. My trustee is in Tn...can the trust be notarized in Tennessee?
answered on Sep 20, 2019
I think you mean can the trustee's signature be notarized in another state. Yes, that is done all of the time.
We spoke to the funeral director and they said the physician had not signed the certificate and they were waiting on that.
Who should I call about this situation? My father had bills that are not accumulating late fees and etc and I dont know what to do.
answered on Aug 27, 2019
You should talk to an attorney and learn if it is necessary for you to open an estate for your father. You, and any of your father's other "heirs at law" (children and spouse) are not responsible for bills that he alone owes. However, those who are owed that money may have a claim... View More
My mother passed away and did not have a will. My stepdad is now saying I can not have her belongings because he is upset we don’t like his girlfriend. Can my niece who is 18 and lives on the property give me permission to get them?
answered on Aug 25, 2019
If your niece is not an owner and doesn't have a written lease, then probably not. She is probably just a guest and guests do not have the right to invite other guests.
answered on Jun 17, 2019
Any executor, devisee or legatee named in the will may probate a will. ALA. CODE § 43-2-851 requires the executor of a will to post bond. If bond is not waived in the will or if the petitioner is not named in the will as executor, then the probate court will require a bond.
In some... View More
It was understood from my Mother that it would be divided equally between us upon her death, but she did not put that in a will. There were 5 adult children when she died in 2009. My brother passed away in Dec. 2018. He leaves a wife and 3 adult children.
When the land is surveyed and... View More
answered on May 16, 2019
When someone dies without a Will, assets in their name pass to their "heirs at law." The heirs at law are determined at the time of death. Further, real property (land) vests in the heirs after two years. In your hypothetical I would suggest that the property will pass in 5 shares.... View More
son who had a daughter does the living son inherit the home?
answered on Apr 3, 2019
If a person dies intestate, that is without a Last Will and Testament, then the assets in the person's sole name pass to the "heirs at law" of that person. Assuming there is no spouse, the heirs at law are the children. If there is a deceased child, the children of that deceased... View More
Mortgage. What will happen if he dies? Do I have any rights? I help make the mortgage pmts.
answered on Mar 18, 2019
Your interest in the home may be at risk if he predeceases you. Further, Alabama law recently abolished common law marriage, so you would not have the protection of a spouse even if you hold yourself out as husband and wife. It would be best for you to protect your interest in the home,... View More
My sister (the waiver I'm waiting on) has closed my mother's bank accounts. Sister is on the accounts but the funds are my mothers and were to be distributed according to the will. What is my legal standing?
answered on Nov 26, 2018
The answer to your question depends on the particular facts of your situation. The issue will be whether those accounts became assets of the estate or assets of your sister at your mother's death. As Executor you will have the power and maybe even the obligation to research that issue and... View More
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.