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Arkansas Estate Planning Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Landlord - Tenant for Arkansas on
Q: my dad is a disabled veteran and the RV park that he lives at is trying to kick him out because he pays his rent late

But it's not his fault even the Social Security office is called the RV owner and told them that it isn't his fault that he receives his check late are they allowed to do this or not

Patrick R. Lee
Patrick R. Lee
answered on Jul 17, 2019

The rent is due whenever his lease agreement with the RV park says its due. Doesn't matter why it's late. I would try and reason with the RV park. Obviously your dad is going to get a check every month if he's receiving Social Security disability, so there's no danger of him... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Arkansas on
Q: Can I buy a house in my son’s name (11yrs old), so that husband cannot take over half of this asset, in case of divorce?

My son is my husband’s step son, and my husband mistreats him and I want to secure something for him, that’s not in my name, so my husband doesn’t take advantage of the situation

Stewart Whaley
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Stewart Whaley
answered on Jul 7, 2019

Are you buying the home with marital assets? If so, it is marital property even if you buy it for your son. Consult an estate planning attorney.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Immigration Law and Real Estate Law for Arkansas on
Q: Where do I start

I am freaking out about my family .. ALL of my family. I'm worried about where everyone is and what exactly has happened to all of us. I gotta figure out the money thing so that I can get funding to my family that is locked up.

Rehim Babaoglu
Rehim Babaoglu
answered on Jun 21, 2019

Your Q is unclear. Are your family members in US ICE custody and facing deportation proceedings?

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Arkansas on
Q: What document is needed to make an amendment to the trust to add a successor trustee?

There are mutual funds under one account and one property. The successor trustee already has the certification of appointment of successor trustee for the mutual funds but there has not been any amendment made to the trust.

Brandon M Haubert
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Brandon M Haubert
answered on Oct 18, 2018

You may not need an amendment to do so, if the successor was named in the original trust.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Arkansas on
Q: I live in Ark. If my husband dies without a will does everything of his go to his children before his spouse?
Brandon M Haubert
PREMIUM
Brandon M Haubert
answered on Oct 18, 2018

No. First, you have to see how everything is titled. If it was titled as husband as wife, then it will go to you before his children. If it was in his name and he had named beneficiaries, then it will go to the beneficiaries. If it was in his name without beneficiaries, then it will go to his... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Arkansas on
Q: My mother died 1.5 years ago. Before she died, she transferred her money to my older sister to pay bills since my mother

Was placed in a nursing home...no will or legal papers drawn up. Now, sister will not divide estate to me aND my brother. What is the recourse?

Skye Martin
Skye Martin
answered on Oct 2, 2017

If her estate is worth less than $100,000.00 then you could file an Affidavit for Collection of Small Estate.

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Arkansas on
Q: Is it possible to include a health care direction as part of my will, or must they be drafted as separate documents?
Kenneth V Zichi
Kenneth V Zichi
answered on Sep 7, 2017

Think about this. A will is effective only after you have died. Will medical direction be useful then? Of course you need a separate document!

Seek a local estate planning lawyer to both prepare a valid Will and valid Powers of Attorney and / or Medical directives to insure your wishes are...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Arkansas on
Q: If I'm an only child and no spouse, does my mom need a will?

Father pasted two years ago and mom never remarried and I'm an only child. Does she need a will if I'm on everything but the house that still has a mortgage? She only has a retirement acct, bank acct, car paid off, jewelry and the house. She has already paid everything to be laided by... View More

Skye Martin
Skye Martin
answered on Sep 3, 2017

She will need to create a beneficiary deed and/or a trust to avoid probate, even if you will be her only surviving heir.I would suggest that she meet with an estate planning attorney to go over all of her options for avoiding probate.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Arkansas on
Q: My husbands mother died in Arkansas in 2012 & we live in texas. How do we get named executor to get the life insurance

To take care of distribution among her other children? Is probate necessary?

Terry Lynn Garrett
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Terry Lynn Garrett
answered on Aug 8, 2017

If the life insurance policy named a beneficiary, that beneficiary may only need a death certificate. If it named no beneficiary or named the estate, contact a probate lawyer in the county where she died or held real property and apply to probate her estate.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Arkansas on
Q: My mother wants to leave her house to my wife and I. What is the best way to do this to ensure her wishes are honored?

She has asked us to move in with her to care for her until her death. We will be responsible for paying the bills, upkeep and repairs (which could be quite costly) on the house. I also have a full sibling (who has agreed to this arrangement) and 4 half-siblings who have no contact with my mother.... View More

Skye Martin
Skye Martin
answered on Aug 3, 2017

I would suggest contacting an attorney who deals with estate planning and trusts. She will probably want to have both a trust and a new will.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Arkansas on
Q: If all beneficiaries of an irrevocable trust agree, can 100 per cent agreement remove a current trustee in Arkansas?
Brandon M Haubert
PREMIUM
Brandon M Haubert
answered on Jul 24, 2017

It depends in the language in the trust. The trust could limit the trustee's removal. If you don't have a copy of the trust, you can request one from the trustee. Then go see a lawyer.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Arkansas on
Q: Is an unwitnessed handwritten will valid in Arkansas?
Brandon M Haubert
PREMIUM
Brandon M Haubert
answered on Jun 8, 2017

Yes, if it fits the requirements of a holographic Will.

28-25-104. Holographic wills generally.

When the entire body of the will and the signature shall be written in the proper handwriting of the testator, the will may be established by the evidence of at least three (3) credible...
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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Arkansas on
Q: Is there any way to make a dynasty trust good for only the oldest child born?

I have a good amount of land and do not want it split up and sold off, I want to keep it together. Is absolute primogeniture an option when setting up a dynastic trust?

Kenneth V Zichi
Kenneth V Zichi
answered on May 24, 2017

There are ALL KINDS of alligators wading in the swamp you're discussing. GENERALLY you can make a trust to benefit as few or as many people as you want. But while that may be the short answer to your question, it misses the complications that may make any trust you create invalid or subject to... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Arkansas on
Q: RE: Living Trust. Is there any recourse for a son not mentioned in inheritance. Must ALL kids be named?

One of my 2 sons has no contact with me, no one in family even has his phone number or address. I loaned him $ a few years ago and never received repayment. I figured that would be his share, so the rest is distributed equally, 25% for the four kids. He isn't named. Now I'm wondering... View More

Kenneth V Zichi
Kenneth V Zichi
answered on May 22, 2017

ANYONE with a couple hundred dollars can sue if they feel aggrieved. YOUR job would be to eliminate as many possible arguments as possible. By failing to name someone who would otherwise inherit you've opened up an argument for him. He could say 'well mom/dad was getting old and they just... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Arkansas on
Q: If I'm an only child and my mother has already passed, and my dad is getting older. Does he need a Will?

Would like to not go through probate after he passes.

Brandon M Haubert
PREMIUM
Brandon M Haubert
answered on Mar 15, 2017

If you are an only child you will inherit under law. Only meaning the only child your father ever had. Not the only child still alive. You may want consult with a lawyer on ways to avoid probate.

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Arkansas on
Q: If the trustee placed a 450,000+ estate in a small estate, and has only herself listed on affidavit for collection of SE

This is still not settled after 1 1/2 years, and there was a will. She had all the siblings sign a release, (this basically said we had zero rights to it, but her name was on it, because (she stated) it had to be this way because she was the distributee) her reason -for this "Our father... View More

Brandon M Haubert
PREMIUM
Brandon M Haubert
answered on Mar 14, 2017

You can file to become the personal representative and then the affiant has to account to you for their actions. The best bet is to have a consultation with a lawyer.

1 Answer | Asked in Probate and Estate Planning for Arkansas on
Q: If someone has not yet died, should the things listed in his will be distributed?
Brandon M Haubert
PREMIUM
Brandon M Haubert
answered on Mar 14, 2017

The Property should only be distributed if that is what the person wants. You can do a probate while the person is alive - if that is something you want to do.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Arkansas on
Q: My father passed away last month. He has both a will and a family trust. My mom becomes the exectrix of the

will and is trustor of the trust. Do we need to file anything with the state?

Brandon M Haubert
PREMIUM
Brandon M Haubert
answered on Mar 14, 2017

You might. It will depend on what your father owned and how it was titled. If he owned it in his name and his name alone with no beneficiary designation, then you may need to open a probate.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Elder Law for Arkansas on
Q: My Daughters have a power of attorney on me! I'm 86 and of sound mind. I don't wish for my daughters to have power

I want to do a hand written will and notarize it naming another person ca I do this?

Brandon M Haubert
PREMIUM
Brandon M Haubert
answered on Mar 14, 2017

You can revoke the power of attorney by signing a new one or just signing a revocation of the old one. You can draft a handwritten will if you want, but it will not revoke the power of attorney. That being said, a simple revocation of power of attorney will do that.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Arkansas on
Q: Step-mom filed probate and I, as my father's only child, has not been notified. What are my options?
Brandon M Haubert
PREMIUM
Brandon M Haubert
answered on Mar 14, 2017

You can object to her being appointed as the personal representative, ask for her removal, demand an inventory, and demand an accounting.

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