Get free answers to your Estate Planning legal questions from lawyers in your area.
Sister on drugs (lifetime), homeless by choice (brain permanently damaged - drugs). Mom helped her spend her inheritance from father (now deceased) to buy a home for her and her kids. State took her kids from her (due to drugs and mental issues), and she "ran away" from her house to be... View More 
answered on Sep 6, 2024
You'd need to become her conservator. Conservatorships have notice and other requirements to be sure someone isn't "railroading" a relative and becoming a conservator just so they can steal the disabled person's assets. I'm NOT saying that is what you are doing.... View More
Father wants me alone to receive house. To avoid lawsuits from brother who will be entirely excluded how does he Grant Deed me the property so Father and I are both Trustors?
answered on Sep 1, 2024
The fact that you are asking rather than your father will set off alarms. It’s your father’s home to do with as he pleases. If you influence him to give it to you and that’s not what your father would choose to do on his own, then it’s possible you could get sued for undue influence, elder... View More
My mothers health is failing. She has asked if I will help her make a trust online. Which trust would be best for her situation. Just incase, it does not sell first. I am getting it ready to put it on the market soon. Any advice will be greatly appreciated, Thank You
answered on Sep 11, 2024
There are some legal documents that I would say you can get away with pulling an online document from a legal internet site. But, unfortunately, trusts are NOT that type of document. They are very technical and one wrong word can cause a completely different outcome than desired. Whenever people... View More
My grandmother passed away last year, and I am a beneficiary of the trust along with 6 other people. My two aunt's are the trustee's. They are not agreeing on anything and there are multiple issues including one of them wanting to purchase one of the properties in the trust for a much... View More
answered on Sep 6, 2024
A common MISTAKE people make is thinking they own assets sitting in a trust because they are a beneficiary (person named in a trust to inherit the asset) and the person who used to own the asset has died. But, while an asset is still in a trust, it rarely (if ever) belongs to the beneficiary named... View More
Would it make a difference if she is also a real estate agent or are deeds only done by escrow companies?
answered on Jul 21, 2024
There can be a conflict of interest between the agent's role as the impartial notary and beneficiary real estate agent. This must be disclosed to all parties to the sale.
A real estate agent can fill out the blanks in a prepared deed form, but they cannot draft a deed if they are not a... View More
Would it make a difference if she is also a real estate agent or are deeds only done by escrow companies?
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jul 20, 2024
In California, a Notary Public can notarize a grant deed, but they cannot draft the deed themselves. Notaries are authorized to verify signatures and identities, but they are not allowed to provide legal advice or draft legal documents, which includes deeds.
If the notary is also a real... View More
Can a person contest an irrevocable trust two years after they received a copy of the irrevocable trust.
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jun 29, 2024
To answer this question accurately, we need to consider a few key points regarding irrevocable trusts and trust contests in California:
1. Statute of limitations:
In California, the general statute of limitations for contesting a trust is 120 days from when the trustee serves the... View More
Mother had an estate trust
Mother also had a life insurance policy that was hid from me
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jun 29, 2024
This is a complex situation with several legal issues to consider. Here's a concise overview:
1. Power of Attorney (POA):
- A POA typically terminates upon death, so your brother shouldn't have been able to use it after your mother's passing.
- If he used the... View More
My uncle had a living Trust. I am the trustee. I gave the bank the Certification of Trust, and I opened a Trust account at Chase bank to pay the bills. Now that he has passed, the bank wants me to get probate court to list me as the administrator of the estate.
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jun 27, 2024
To address your question, I'll break down the key points and provide some guidance:
1. Requesting to be named administrator:
To be named as the administrator of your uncle's estate, you typically need to file a petition with the probate court in the county where your uncle... View More
Passed the property went right into my name with out me having any knowledge of this gift of trust but do to greed and fraudulent recorded records by from the county clerk office aunt and uncle have put there names of title more than once . They taken control of my trust with very dirty trick in... View More
answered on Jun 29, 2024
Thank you for your question!
It seems that some relatives added their names to your title. You need quiet title action based on fraud to remove them from your property and stop them from doing so again in the future.
The terms of the trust control who is in charge of the assets. If... View More
Passed the property went right into my name with out me having any knowledge of this gift of trust but do to greed and fraudulent recorded records by from the county clerk office aunt and uncle have put there names of title more than once . They taken control of my trust with very dirty trick in... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jun 27, 2024
I'm sorry to hear about your difficult situation and the loss of your son. It sounds like you're dealing with a complex legal matter involving trusts, property rights, and potential fraud. This situation requires professional legal assistance. Here are some steps you might consider:... View More
We are 3 siblings/beneficiaries of our mother's trust. Our sister wants to buyout the 2 of us. Will the buyout payment each of us receive be taxable? Will either of us 2 buyout recipients be responsible for higher property tax payments if they become due prior to the sibling property transfer?
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jun 27, 2024
Based on the information provided, here's a general overview of the tax implications for a sibling buyout in California:
1. Taxability of the buyout payment:
The taxability of the buyout payment depends on several factors:
a) If the buyout is for your share of the... View More
Insurance policies that are listed on a schedule B with the intent of the settlor placing them in the trust, but settlor never did. Later he wrote a beneficiary on those insurance policies. Who do the insurance policies belong to, the beneficiaries in the irrevocable trust or the beneficiary on... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jun 26, 2024
Given the complexity of this situation, it would be advisable for all parties involved to consult with an experienced estate planning attorney who can review all relevant documents and provide guidance based on the specific details of the case. The outcome could depend on the exact language used in... View More
Executor is not family member. Will left estate to executor but did not leave any directions for cremated remains of my sister. Executor is refusing to release remains to me, only surviving next of kin, saying the deceased entrusted her with the remains. Burial date has been set, expenses paid,... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jun 26, 2024
This is a complex and sensitive situation. Based on the information provided, here's an overview of the legal considerations in California:
1. California law generally gives priority to the deceased person's written instructions regarding disposition of remains. However, in this... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jun 25, 2024
I understand you're dealing with a difficult situation regarding your late father's estate. Based on the information provided, here's a general overview of how California law might apply:
1. In California, if someone dies without a will (intestate), the distribution of their... View More
My mother lives in her home, I also live there, and she has a monthly mortgage payment. She has a will and has left the house to me. When she dies will I still be able to live there.
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jun 20, 2024
To answer this question, we need to consider a few key points about California law regarding inherited property with an existing mortgage:
1. Inheritance of the property: If your mother has left the house to you in her will, you will inherit the property upon her death, assuming the will is... View More
may have had (living) trust changed. inheritance includes home in SF and Property in Texas.
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jun 20, 2024
Under California law, you have the right to request a copy of your mother's will and trust documents, especially if you are a beneficiary. Your older sister is required to provide these documents to all named beneficiaries and heirs.
If your sister refuses to share the documents, you... View More
may have had (living) trust changed. inheritance includes home in SF and Property in Texas.
answered on Jun 20, 2024
Each of the sisters have a right to a copy of the will and trust. The ability to change the trust will depend on the language contained in it. If the oldest sister refuses to provide the estate documents, the other sisters can compel the production of those documents from the oldest sister.... View More
Her son was her sole recipient of her will and trust but could not receive 100% of her benefits in direct conflict to his mothers will and Trust due to the LA county rules that say instead the money in her retirement be divided equally amongst all of her decendents in direct conflict with her... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jun 19, 2024
In this situation, the conflict arises between the beneficiary designation for the LACERA (Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association) benefits and the provisions of the deceased's will and trust. Generally, beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and pension plans supersede... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jun 19, 2024
I understand this is a difficult situation, and I'm sorry for your loss. Here are the key steps you'll likely need to take to get your father's house transferred to your name in California when there is no will:
1. File a Petition for Probate with the Superior Court in the... 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.
