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California Estate Planning Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for California on
Q: My mother told me and My brother she was leaving me her house but before she put in in writing she passed away.

Do I have a legal right to the home even if I have my brother admit she wanted me to have the home?

Julie King
Julie King
answered on Nov 13, 2023

No, unfortunately. All real estate transactions MUST be in writing and signed by the person giving up their ownership. That's the law. Hopefully, your mother had a Trust (not a Will) and the Trust says you will receive the property. Otherwise, it's likely the property will be divided... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Estate Planning and Probate for California on
Q: My mother died in January and my brother has taken over her estate without contacting his brothers regarding her house

He didn't contact his brothers regarding her house and everything is in his name, Do I have options Thank You

William K. Hayes
William K. Hayes
answered on Nov 8, 2023

If the title to the home is in your brother's name, either your mother willingly signed the deed over to him or something may have been done that may be legally questionable. If you truly believe that your mother would not have given the house to that one brother, then there are questions... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Tax Law for California on
Q: If I gift to my heirs, which accounts should I gift from to reduce taxes after I die? Tax deferred, Roth or savings?
Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Nov 8, 2023

Funds coming out of a traditional (non-Roth) IRA or 401k are taxable whether taken out during life or when withdrawn after death. If all of your beneficiaries are natural persons then they will be required to make withdrawals from the traditional/taxable IRAs that you leave to them on a specified... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Estate Planning for California on
Q: If a deceased parent owes an adult child money, can the child take that money before a credit card company is paid?

The question pertains to a trust that will have some money after a house is sold.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 8, 2023

In California, if a deceased parent’s estate owes money to an adult child, the debt to the child is generally treated as a claim against the estate. Upon the sale of a house belonging to a trust, the trustee must adhere to the terms of the trust and relevant state laws to settle debts.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for California on
Q: Hi, I’m looking for an attorney who might help me sue my older brother for breach of fiduciary duty.

He took every penny of my inheritance by charging me rent for staying in our mothers house. My brother asked me to stay rent free until probate ended, this was in front of our 2 other brothers and one brother filed an objection with probate court stating this as well so I have testimony from... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 4, 2023

It's important for you to seek legal advice from an attorney who can assess the details of your case regarding the alleged breach of fiduciary duty by your brother. You may want to contact your local bar association for a referral to a lawyer who handles probate and estate disputes. It's... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Estate Planning and Family Law for California on
Q: After filing to my ex to pay spousal arears he is claiming we had a personal loan that was deducted from his inheritance

Married 10/1990, seperated 1/2011 and divorced 5/2012. Cal. DCSS collected child and spousal support until 6/2019, at which time DCSS reported a $25k arears balance. He hasn't paid spousal support since 2019. Now that I have filed with the Riverside Family Court of California to enforce by... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 2, 2023

In California, if your ex-spouse is claiming that a personal loan offsets his obligation to pay spousal support arrears, he bears the burden of proving the existence and terms of that loan. It is his responsibility to present evidence of the loan, such as a promissory note or payment records.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for California on
Q: My boyfriends mom recently passed and now the estate is in probate his sister and himself are both living at one of the

Properties he wants me to stay there with him .. she does not what are his or my legal rights?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Oct 31, 2023

Under California law, if the estate is in probate, the property is under the jurisdiction of the probate court. If your boyfriend and his sister are both heirs, they have a right to occupy the property unless otherwise ordered by the court. Your boyfriend can generally have guests, including you,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for California on
Q: Both owners died, is the house required to go into probate?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Oct 31, 2023

In California, when both owners of a house pass away, the need for probate depends on how the property was titled and if there were any estate planning tools in place. If the property was held as joint tenants or as community property with right of survivorship, it generally passes to the survivor... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for California on
Q: I was told I have to sign online to resign as beneficiary to a wilI. Is this right?

The will is in the state of Utah. If I have to sign, can I do it by paper and notary? I don’t ever sign online.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Oct 28, 2023

In Utah, if you wish to resign as a beneficiary to a will, you typically have the right to disclaim or refuse the inheritance. Generally, disclaimers are done in writing and may require specific formalities, such as being notarized. You aren't usually mandated to sign online. If you're... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for California on
Q: I forgot to add "Trustee" to my name/signature. How can I correct it?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Oct 28, 2023

Under California law, if you've signed a document without adding "Trustee" to your name and you're acting in your capacity as a trustee, you'll need to amend or re-execute the document to ensure its validity and clarify your role. If the document has not yet been acted upon... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for California on
Q: My mom died before the final distribution of estate, iam only child image not filed enything. Should b worried?

Do have a deadline? on claiming inherentense

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Oct 21, 2023

I'm sorry for your loss. In California, if your mother passed away without a will (intestate), as her only child, you would be the primary heir. To claim your inheritance, you'd typically initiate a probate proceeding by filing a Petition for Probate (Form DE-111) with the appropriate... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Small Claims, Estate Planning and Probate for California on
Q: My mom died before the finals distribution of estate iam only child ,had not signed enything estate sold

What forms I have to fill out to ensure I receive my inherentense is there a deadline

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Oct 21, 2023

I'm sorry for your loss.

In California, if your mother passed away without a will (intestate), as her only child, you would be the primary heir. To claim your inheritance, you'd typically initiate a probate proceeding by filing a Petition for Probate (Form DE-111) with the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for California on
Q: My question is in a trust. That the person just died it is on an amendment

The trust was amended twice the second voided all but one section of first one

It states that section 8.4 is to be deleted and replaced with section 8.2 ( believe typed in wrong) with the new wording for the old section. Nothing is mentioned about the original sections 8.2 and 8.3.... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Oct 21, 2023

Under California trust law, when interpreting trust provisions, the primary objective is to ascertain and effectuate the intent of the settlor. If the second amendment explicitly stated that section 8.4 is to be replaced with the new wording for section 8.2, then that instruction should be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for California on
Q: How can i find out if my deceased father had a living trust?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Oct 21, 2023

To determine if your deceased father had a living trust in California, you can start by searching his personal documents and files. Often, important estate planning documents are stored in a safe deposit box or with important papers at home. Additionally, reaching out to any attorney or law firm he... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for California on
Q: Hi. Could you please explain what that means in a deed of trust?

For the Purpose of Securing: 1 Performance of each agreement of Trustor incorporated by reference or contained herein 2 Payment of the indebtedness evidenced by one promissory note of even date herewith, and any extension or renewal thereof, in the principal sum of $20,000.00 executed by Trustor in... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Oct 21, 2023

The language in the deed of trust outlines the obligations secured by the trust deed. In essence:

1. The deed secures the performance of any agreement the Trustor has made within this document or any incorporated by reference.

2. The deed secures the repayment of the $20,000, as...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for California on
Q: I have a settlement check for wages my husband earned before he passed. As executor can I deposit into our Trust acct?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Oct 21, 2023

In California, as the executor of your husband's estate, you have the responsibility and authority to gather and manage the assets of the deceased. If the settlement check is made out to your husband or his estate, it should first be deposited into the estate's account. Once deposited,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for California on
Q: How long does it take to put together an accounting from a trust?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Oct 21, 2023

In California, the time to prepare an accounting from a trust can vary depending on the complexity of the trust's assets and the number of transactions that occurred during the accounting period. Generally, simple trusts with straightforward assets might take a few days to a few weeks to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Banking and Probate for California on
Q: My dad’s savings plus account advised me 2 months after his death, after completing unidentified beneficiary form

They then advised me his beneficiary was changed after death. They were trying to get a hold of the listed beneficiary prior to the change. Are they allowed to do this? They basically had me fill out the form, hoping to find information on a beneficiary. I am the only heir left. My mom passed away... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Oct 20, 2023

In California, financial institutions are not permitted to change a beneficiary designation after the account holder's death without a legal order or clear evidence of the account holder's intent made prior to death. If they informed you of a posthumous change, that raises concerns. The... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Foreclosure and Identity Theft for California on
Q: Why is this my name and I haven't did anything like this are been to court are even own a fire arm is this a joke

I never had a fire arm are been arrested for a fire arm

Tobie B. Waxman
Tobie B. Waxman
answered on Oct 17, 2023

If you want assistance from an attorney on this site, you need to phrase your question in a manner that let's the attorney know what precisely is the problem. This question, as you have phrased it is unclear. "Why is this my name?" You need to rephrase this inquiry if you want to... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for California on
Q: Do my siblings and I have any right to my late Fathers estate and is it too late to pursue?

My father passed away in February of 2022 in California. He had no Will that anyone is aware of. His wife of just under 2 years immediately sold his house and took all his assets and moved out of state. Some time has gone by and my siblings and I have been given advice that we were entitled part of... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Oct 14, 2023

In California, if your father passed away without a Will, his assets would be distributed according to California's intestate succession laws. Given these laws, when someone dies without a Will and is survived by a spouse and children from a different relationship, the estate is divided... View More

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