My father was a resident of Connecticut and owned property there, but was recovering in a short term rehab near me in Massachusetts at the time of his death. I can't seem to get a straight answer on which state I need to file a probate case. He was only in Massachusetts 68 days and intended to... View More 
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answered on Mar 28, 2024
Consult with a probate attorney in CT for advice on venue. Sometimes it is better to venue shop, especially in view of estate creditors and asset location. Or it may make no difference except to the fiduciary's convenience.
My father was a resident of Connecticut and owned property there, but was recovering in a short term rehab near me in Massachusetts at the time of his death. I can't seem to get a straight answer on which state I need to file a probate case. He was only in Massachusetts 68 days and intended to... View More
answered on Mar 28, 2024
Based on the information you provided, you would be better off filing in Connecticut. It sounds to me that he was a resident of Connecticut, and was only temporarily in Massachusetts. Also, because he has assets in Connecticut, the Connecticut probate court, would certainly have jurisdiction.
My father was a resident of Connecticut and owned property there, but was recovering in a short term rehab near me in Massachusetts at the time of his death. I can't seem to get a straight answer on which state I need to file a probate case. He was only in Massachusetts 68 days and intended to... View More
answered on Mar 28, 2024
Your father's domicile controls, which is where he lived with an intent to return. If he has a CT condo, receives mail there and intended to return, then probate court for the town of his Connecticut residence would have jurisdiction.
answered on Mar 26, 2024
Unfortunately, there is no central registry for wills. often attorneys will post on the Connecticut Bar Association, listserv asking if anyone has the will for a particular individual. Keep in mind that if you are unable to locate, the will, the Connecticut intestacy statute may provide for the... View More
This is a Connecticut Probate question. The deceased was not very good at finances, and did not put their money into good financial instruments for the family. So there are a couple million dollars sitting locked in various sub-0.5% interest-bearing money-market funds. Once the Court appoints a... View More
answered on Nov 3, 2023
Investing the funds in CD's may be a good idea, but you have to keep in mind that the estate may need some liquidity to pay ongoing or other expenses. Also, you should consider rolling maturity dates, say some 3 month CD's, some 6 month CD's and some 9 month CD's. This way you... View More
He was not on Title 19 at death but was at one time. Would the state just take the money?
answered on Apr 14, 2023
If the account is under $40,000 then you can file with the probate court in the district where he lived a simplified estate intestate. Intestate means the estate passes by statute instead of a will. The statute explains who in the bloodline will inherit.
If the account is over $40,000,... View More
Mother passed and left various small things to a few people in the will (TV, Furniture, land, etc). After the list of specific items, there is a paragraph that states "I give, devise, and bequeath all the rest, residue and remainder of my property and estate, both real and personal, of... View More
answered on Mar 22, 2023
Yes. You and your brother are the named beneficiaries of what is called the "residuary estate." After all expenses of probate, and after any claims against the estate are paid, the two of you will split the remainder. Near the end of the the probate process, the executor will need to... View More
My brother who had power of attorney and signs on my Dad's accounts prior to his death "just so happened" to be the sole beneficiary on both "passbook savings" accounts, checking accounts. He already distributed that money prior to first scheduled probate hearing without my... View More
answered on Mar 10, 2023
It is difficult to get a probate court to exercise jurisdiction over accounts passing by way of beneficiary designation. Such assets are technically "non-probate" assets. A separate action can, however, be brought in Superior Court for undue influence or lack of capacity in transferring... View More
Ok so if my dad dies and he has no written will but my name is on the house and the bank account with his does it have to go through probate for my siblings
answered on Mar 2, 2023
Joint accounts and real estate held jointly in survivorship do not require CT probate.
However, an estate tax return is due 6 months from date of death, but that is a different issue (See Form 706NT (nontaxable estate) and Form 706 (taxable estate).
Ok so if my dad dies and he has no written will but my name is on the house and the bank account with his does it have to go through probate for my siblings
answered on Mar 2, 2023
The house:
So long as the deed to the house indicates that the house is in joint names with rights of survivorship then the house would go to you upon his death. No probate is needed. If the house is in joint names, but is not in survivorship, then his share goes to his heirs which would... View More
Her will is in probate. We have no interest in keeping our half, we just want our monetary share. Once probate is settled, can we force a sale from whomever the probate court designates as the other half owner? And how do we do that? Should we notify the probate court before the probate case is... View More
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answered on Feb 13, 2023
If the house is not sold during the probate administration (which sometimes happens in order to pay debts and expenses), then hire an attorney to help you file a partition action against the other co-owners. Most likely the property cannot be divided (partitioned) and the court will order that it... View More
To his home he bought in Puerto Rico.
answered on Jan 8, 2023
Your mother, if she was married to your father, would typically file a petition to be appointed as "Administrator" of your father's estate. This is done at the probate court for the town where your father resided at the time of death. A death certificate is required, as well as the... View More
To his home he bought in Puerto Rico.
answered on Jan 8, 2023
For Puerto Rico property you would have to pursue probate in Puerto Rico using a Puerto Rico attorney.
Typically this is called ancillary probate, which would follow any probate started in CT for CT assets.
Even if there is no CT probate, you would have to speak with a Puerto Rico... View More
I had a malpractice suit against the doctor when I was a minor. Judge reward money for me and because I was a minor my mom had it. My mom has been secretly using my settlement money since I was a minor and still using it. I am an adult, and I am not under guardianship, but mom tells me I can't... View More
answered on Nov 9, 2022
Under CT law, a minor who receives a settlement must have the funds deposited in a restricted account administered by the Probate Court. Your mother cannot withdraw money unless she gets an order approving the withdrawal from the Court. In another words, she would have to apply for permission to... View More
I had a malpractice suit against the doctor when I was a minor. Judge reward money for me and because I was a minor my mom had it. My mom has been secretly using my settlement money since I was a minor and still using it. I am an adult, and I am not under guardianship, but mom tells me I can't... View More
answered on Nov 9, 2022
In addition to Attorney Beckert's comment you may want to check with the probate court which has jurisdiction over the town where you lived to see if such an estate was opened on your behalf and, if so, follow up with that court to determine the status. You can also check the Superior Court... View More
answered on Feb 25, 2024
I don’t practice in Massachusetts, but I think the answer is that there may be a 30 day appeal period that needs to run before the proceeds can be disbursed.
Parents died within 3 months apart. First attorneys are suspended for using inheritance on the stock market. Never sent me any paperwork either. Now the current attorney has not sent me any paperwork either. Big money involved. She also has not sent me any paperwork. No copy of will no itemized... View More
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answered on Sep 22, 2023
Since you are in Alaska, I would recommend contacting the Probate Court and asking for copies of the entire Probate File be sent to you. Or hire a CT attorney to look into to it and advise what should be done, if anything.
She had ALS and when it came time to sign the will, she could only make an "X. Her lawyer and my sister, who is the executrix were present. I'm not sure if this is significant but her house was sold three months after her death.
Is this a long time for a will to be in probate?... View More
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answered on Mar 10, 2023
Either hire a CT attorney or go to the Court handling probate and read the file carefully.
My sister is on my mother's bank account as the beneficiary can she automatically use the money in the account to pay bills after my mother's death without going through probate
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answered on Jun 16, 2022
Yes and no. The bank will need to be provided with a death certificate first before they update the name on the account.
I am my father's power of attorney, healthcare representative, and conservator of his estate. He has decided to withdraw life support measures and will go into hospice with a life expectancy of about a week. He had to spend down assets to qualify for Medicaid and could not provide much for... View More
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answered on Feb 3, 2022
In most states, the ability of an agent under a power of attorney to make gifts on behalf of the principal is a "hot power", meaning it is not covered by general language in a POA. It must be specifically stated. Look for specific authority in the POA to make gifts and see if there are... View More
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