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I am a beneficiary in my grandparents trust, and it states that all beneficiaries must agree upon the sale of real property before it can be sold. My brother, who is also a beneficiary and a trustee, basically snaked half of my inheritance. I didn't have the money to contest anything or try to... View More 
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answered on Mar 31, 2024
Under California law, as a beneficiary of a trust, you generally have the right to review and approve the terms of any sale of trust property. If the trust agreement requires all beneficiaries to agree to the sale of real property, you are not obligated to sign off on the sale unless you agree with... View More
Where can I find HUD approved language for a Living Trust to protect the lender and the HUD insured Reverse Mortgage? I believe this language is in a sample/template/boilerplate somewhere because the protection will be the virtually the same in every case. I would like to draft my Living Trust... View More
answered on Mar 29, 2024
Please allow me to address your comment that you want to draft your own trust. I regularly tell clients that there are several legal documents that a template would work for, assuming the template is based on the correct state's law. But estate planning is unfortunately not one of those areas... View More
Where can I find HUD approved language for a Living Trust to protect the lender and the HUD insured Reverse Mortgage? I believe this language is in a sample/template/boilerplate somewhere because the protection will be the virtually the same in every case. I would like to draft my Living Trust... View More
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answered on Mar 29, 2024
Finding HUD approved language for incorporating into a Living Trust, especially to protect both the lender and the HUD insured Reverse Mortgage, can be a focused task. Generally, such language is detailed in HUD's guidelines or provided by legal resources familiar with real estate and elder... View More
Will a letter of intent work for personal items, manuscript, etc instead of a will? Would a make your own will work, what form/doc is needed? Or does one need to go through a do your own legal office? Price? OR make some kind of real, more expensive will. IS lawyer needed? Due to no family what... View More
answered on Mar 26, 2024
It is highly recommended that you have either a will or a living trust in place to transfer assets after passing. A will must be probated through the courts, so a living trust is another option which allows you to bypass probate if set up properly. What documentation you need is highly dependent... View More
Will a letter of intent work for personal items, manuscript, etc instead of a will? Would a make your own will work, what form/doc is needed? Or does one need to go through a do your own legal office? Price? OR make some kind of real, more expensive will. IS lawyer needed? Due to no family what... View More
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answered on Mar 26, 2024
In California, if you pass away without a will (intestate), your assets are distributed according to state laws, which typically means your closest relatives will inherit. However, if you have no family, your estate may escheat, or revert, to the state. Personal items, manuscripts, and artworks... View More
Executor of my mom's trust, which I am beneficiary to, has been using his credit cards for expenses. And detailing and charging the trust of all the interest charges be accrued. Can I somehow dispute these charges and get back into the trust??
answered on Mar 22, 2024
Generally speaking, the executor should not be commingling estate funds and personal funds. Sometimes the latter is used for convenience, however best practice is to use the funds available from the estate to pay estate expenses. Regarding getting back into the trust, you should speak to a... View More
Executor of my mom's trust, which I am beneficiary to, has been using his credit cards for expenses. And detailing and charging the trust of all the interest charges be accrued. Can I somehow dispute these charges and get back into the trust??
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answered on Mar 21, 2024
In California, the executor, also known as the trustee in the context of a trust, is typically expected to pay for trust-related expenses directly from the trust's assets rather than using personal funds. This is to ensure that all transactions are transparent and the trust’s assets are used... View More
Sibling are making me pay the mortgage since I live in the house although the house will be sold and everyone will take a share. Are they legally right? I feel everyone should pay since they will also receive money for the equity of the house.
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answered on Mar 20, 2024
Under California law, the responsibility to pay the mortgage after the homeowners have passed away typically falls on the estate of the deceased until the property is transferred or sold. If you are living in the house, it does not automatically obligate you to assume the mortgage payments, unless... View More
Sibling are making me pay the mortgage since I live in the house although the house will be sold and everyone will take a share. Are they legally right? I feel everyone should pay since they will also receive money for the equity of the house.
answered on Mar 19, 2024
I would say that is a pretty common arrangement. In lieu of “rent” you would pay the mortgage and utilities. Of course this is a general answer and each situation is unique. If the mortgage is significantly more than fair market value rent than perhaps some other arrangement would be more fair... View More
Sibling are making me pay the mortgage since I live in the house although the house will be sold and everyone will take a share. Are they legally right? I feel everyone should pay since they will also receive money for the equity of the house.
answered on Mar 19, 2024
Speak with a probate/trust attorney. There are too many facts missing from your question for it to be answered accurately in this forum. For instance, how is title held to the house? Is it in a trust? It may be that the house has to go through probate; if so, it may be a while before it can be... View More
What if one sibling lives in the house, should he/she be responsible for the whole mortgage? Is it fair?
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answered on Mar 19, 2024
Under California law, if a person passes away without a will (intestate), the estate, including any real estate, is distributed according to state succession laws. If the deceased owned a home, its fate depends on how the title was held and whether the person had surviving relatives like children,... View More
Just need to know if he left me anything n my oldrsisrers are not telling me
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answered on Mar 11, 2024
In California, if you believe that you may be a beneficiary of your father's trust, you have the right to obtain information about the trust and its terms. Here are a few steps you can take to try to obtain a copy of the trust:
1. Request a copy from the trustee: The trustee (which may... View More
Legal Deadline: Mar 18, 2024 | Description: That makes 1 year from the day my father passed and I don't know if there is a time limit on a will.
My father passed in March of 23. My brother who lived there and step mother have been getting rid of many items and have let other people... View More
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answered on Mar 7, 2024
Under California law, when someone passes away, their will must be filed with the probate court in the county where they lived. If you believe your father left a will that names you as a beneficiary, but your brother and stepmother are not showing it to you, you have the right to take action. Since... View More
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answered on Mar 4, 2024
In a situation where you discover that your brother's girlfriend cashed out a policy following his death, it's essential to take immediate action. Begin by gathering all relevant documents related to the policy, including any beneficiary designations and communications with the insurance... View More
I filed a petition for probate in Riverside Superior Court of California, this petition was a demand for my father's third wife to produce my father's estate documents, along with other issues. The Petition was served by a Process server on Jan 26, 2024, how many day does the defendant... View More
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answered on Mar 4, 2024
In California probate proceedings, the time frame for a respondent to reply to a petition can vary based on the specific type of petition filed and the local court's rules. Generally, for most matters related to probate, such as contesting a will or objecting to an executor's appointment,... View More
I did everything according to my lawyer as trustee of my parent's trust, which contained their home. Upon their death, My brother deposited my half of the money into the trust. I then, as trustee, signed the house over to him. That meant, according to my lawyer, he inherited 100% of the... View More
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answered on Mar 3, 2024
In California, property acquired through inheritance is generally considered separate property, not subject to division in a divorce. However, the situation becomes more complicated when a spouse is added to the title of the inherited property, as it may be seen as converting the property from... View More
My parents divorced in 1977 each kept one as part of the settlement. Several years later my father sold his and used the proceeds to purchase new home. About 7 years later he remarried and she moved into my dads. Some time later he sold that property and again used money to purchase new home.... View More
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answered on Mar 3, 2024
Under California law, property acquired before marriage generally remains the separate property of the spouse who acquired it. If your father sold a property he owned before remarrying and used those proceeds to purchase a new home, the nature of the new property's ownership depends on how it... View More
we keep having bank issues and we went to a bank and my father in law knew the bank employee and we found accounts opened illegally and are signatures forged them my brother said he worked fkr triple A bit its an interexchange insurance agency and they altered and misrepresented what tyoe of... View More
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answered on Mar 2, 2024
Under California law, if you suspect fraudulent activity, such as forged documents, identity theft, and unauthorized opening of accounts or businesses in your name, taking immediate action is crucial. First, consider contacting a legal professional with experience in fraud or financial crimes. They... View More
Live within my means she’s been torturing me for a year now am I just stuck with her bullying me I have nothing because of her
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answered on Feb 28, 2024
In California, the role of an executor, also known as an administrator, is to manage the estate of a deceased person according to the will's instructions and state law. This includes distributing assets to the beneficiaries as outlined in the will. If you've signed a distribution letter... View More
My mom needed work done in her attic. A company called Attic Project took on the work knowing very well we didn't have the money stating my mom can pay them back later. I her son signed an agreement. My mom owes them 7200.00 now they want to place a mechanical lein on her home by middle of... View More
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answered on Feb 28, 2024
Under California law, dealing with a mechanic's lien on a property requires prompt and careful action. If a lien has been placed on your mom's home due to unpaid debts for work done, the first step is to review the agreement you signed with Attic Project. It's important to understand... View More
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