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Delaware Estate Planning Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Family Law for Delaware on
Q: Do I need someone's social security number to name them as a beneficiary of a trust?

An untrustworthy family member wants to name our two teenaged children as beneficiaries of her assets, mostly a brokerage account, insurance plans, and company 401(K). We are not comfortable providing her with the children's Social Security numbers under any circumstances. I am hoping we can... View More

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Dec 8, 2023

Typically, naming someone as a beneficiary in a trust doesn't necessitate sharing their Social Security number (SSN). However, exceptions exist, and requirements can vary by state and financial institution. To sidestep providing children's SSNs, consider alternatives like obtaining a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Delaware on
Q: does the creator of a revocable trust need my social security number before it becomes an irrevocable trust?

Jurisdiction of the revocable trust is Milford DE

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Oct 26, 2023

In the context of a revocable trust becoming irrevocable in Delaware, the need for your social security number and other information may depend on the trust's terms and the trustee's requirements. As the trust transitions, the trustee or executor may request beneficiary information,... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Probate and Estate Planning for Delaware on
Q: trustee of grandmas will is suposed to distribet money when they need thing and is not doing it what from do i need

to fill out to removel of all trustees to appont me i am ther mom they hate us please help

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Oct 12, 2023

In a situation where a trustee is not performing their duties as outlined in the will, you may have grounds to petition for their removal and seek to replace them. The exact procedure varies by jurisdiction, but generally involves filing a petition in the probate court that explains why the trustee... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Real Estate Law and Probate for Delaware on
Q: my mother passed away and was still married but separated from her husband. What are his rights rights to her home?

I was told he has to physically live in the property until he passes away, and then the house goes to me (her daughter). Is he allowed to rent the house out to someone else? He originally signed his rights away to her estate but somehow now has the parcel in his name.

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Sep 8, 2023

Hire a DE attorney to search the title and determine ownership. It sounds like the husband is the surviving tenant by the entirety. If he made some type of disclaimer, then Mother's heirs need to enforce it in Court.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Delaware on
Q: what are my lifetime rights worth?

DE: spouse died, no will, adult children from 1st marriage, minor from our marriage. house in his name. must sell house to pay his bills. how do we calculate what my "lifetime rights" are worth?

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Mar 8, 2023

There are IRS Annuity LE/REM Valuation Tables in the Treasury Regulations, which are easy to apply. However I doubt you have a life estate but instead are an heir at law and thus a tenant in common with the other heirs. Check the title and DE intestate succession laws, or better, hire a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Delaware on
Q: Is a vehicle with an outstanding loan an estate asset in Delaware?
Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Dec 1, 2021

I do not practice in Delaware, but everywhere that I do practice, yes, a vehicle with an outstanding loan is both an estate asset (as to the value of the vehicle) and an outstanding estate debt (as to the outstanding balance of the loan).

This type of asset generates all kinds of issues...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Delaware on
Q: legal document required to make sure person is to live in owners property after his death till their death

3 year relationship

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Apr 22, 2021

There is more than one way to accomplish this, and the choice depends on a lot of other factors that you have not mentioned. This is not a do-it-yourself project. You should contact an experienced estate planning attorney for assistance.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Delaware on
Q: Is it proper in a Trust?

Is it proper ,in a Trust's checking account, in published checks, the trustee puts her name and address at least twice as large as the name of the Trust, and omits the sole beneficiary's name (which is part of the Trust legal name/title) and omits the E.I. N. number indicating this is a... View More

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Feb 8, 2021

As a beneficiary you are entitled to periodic accountings. You probably need to hire an attorney to help you enforce your rights. You are looking for a trust litigation attorney.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Delaware on
Q: Does my mother have any recourse if the executor of a trust does not distribute the RMD due to the CARES act?

She is a beneficiary of the trust and the RMDs are to be used for her medical and living expenses each year. The executor does not want to distribute the RMD this year but she relies on it for her medical care. Does she have any recourse?

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Apr 8, 2020

It is not possible to answer your question without reviewing the trust instrument. The answer depends on the distribution standard in the trust, and distribution standards vary a great deal from trust to trust.

By the way, the administrator of a trustee is usually called the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Delaware on
Q: I went to Delaware and cared for my mother for 6 months while on hospice. I was co-executer on the will but signed that

Over to my sister since I'm out of state. In the will we split evenly. Can I bill the estate for the 6 months I took care of mom

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Feb 6, 2020

The law generally presumes that caring for an elderly parent is done purely out of love and affection and not for compensation UNLESS there is an agreement to pay compensation, preferably in writing. Also, keep in mind that if you do manage to prove your claim against the estate for caregiver... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate and Estate Planning for Delaware on
Q: My grandmother passed away Oct 3. My aunt & I are listed as co-executors & everything she owned is to be equally

divided between us. I live in DE - she lives in GA where the lawyer is - there has been nothing posted in paper regarding death or collections? she is asking me to make her "sole executor" which i do not want to do. What are my options to resolve this issue & split the inheritance?

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Nov 12, 2019

She might want to be sole executor solely for convenience. Or she might want to keep the executor fee all for herself. Or, she might have more even more nefarious reasons. There is no way any attorney answering this question can know.

Your grandmother had reasons for naming both of...
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Support, Estate Planning and Probate for Delaware on
Q: My ex died with no spouse, will, estate or rep and owed child support. Can our kid get his annuity before his mom?

He was almost $18K in child support arrears and his mom never knew about his annuity, so she never set up probate court. Instead she simply had him cremated. How do I place a lien against his annuity?

Kenneth V Zichi
Kenneth V Zichi
answered on Jan 17, 2018

If he owes back child support, and the annuity will pass through probate you can make a claim against the estate for the child support.

The process is complicated, and if your children are all minors their interest in the estate needs to be addressed, and FURTHER if there was a beneficiary...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Delaware on
Q: If you were given lifetime right of occupancy in residential property & it is sold without your consent - any recourse?

State is Delaware. I was given lifetime right of occupancy via my grandmother's will. She left the house to her oldest son, my uncle, with the caveat that I had a lifetime right of occupancy. Now, I have discovered that the house has been sold. No one told me about this. Wondering if I have... View More

Kenneth V Zichi
Kenneth V Zichi
answered on Jan 12, 2018

I am assuming your grandmother has passed, because up until that point SHE can change the will and do something different, sell her house or otherwise do what you mention here without any issue.

If she has passed, was the will properly probated and the property transferred to you and your...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Delaware on
Q: can you list in your Maryland will as beneficial alternatives both children and grandchildren?
Kenneth V Zichi
Kenneth V Zichi
answered on May 29, 2017

It is unclear what exactly you are asking, but I'm going to say 'yes' because regardless of how you interpret this you can leave assets to children, grandchildren, children AND grandchildren, or to Children first and then to grandchildren should something happen to the children.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Delaware on
Q: I was named as Power of Attorney in my sister's original will. Then a friend of hers took her to another lawyer and

had her make a new will without my knowledge. Is this legal?

Charles Snyderman
Charles Snyderman
answered on Jul 19, 2014

Unless your sister was mentally incompacitated at the time she signed her new Will, the fact that you have POA for her does not prevent your sister from signing a new Will.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Delaware on
Q: Can a credit card company file a claim on deceased person's account balance
Charles Snyderman
Charles Snyderman
answered on Jun 21, 2014

The claim would be filed against the Estate. It has to be filed within 8 months after the date of death.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Delaware on
Q: In the state of Delaware if there is no will what % of the estate goes to the children and what to surviving spouse?
Charles Snyderman
Charles Snyderman
answered on Mar 25, 2014

This answer assumes that the children are the children of both the decedent and the surviving spouse. Under Delaware law, the surviving spouse gets the first $50,000 of the personal estate, plus 50% of the balance of the personal estate. If the surviving spouse took title to the house with the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Delaware on
Q: What does it mean when you get a notice from petititioners lawer saying.....please take notice that the undersigned

Attourney will the take records depositionof the RECORDS CUSTODIAN OF THE STATE BUREAU OF IDENTIFICATION, on august 1, 2013

Charles Snyderman
Charles Snyderman
answered on Nov 12, 2013

This is the lawyer's way of informing you that he has subpoenaed certain records. A deposition will not be taken so long as the records are produced by the stated date.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Delaware on
Q: What form do i need to handle my mothers estate
Charles Snyderman
Charles Snyderman
answered on Jan 16, 2013

Contact the Regiser Of Wills for the County in which your mother lived. They have the forms, and you can schedule an appointment. They are very helpful.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Delaware on
Q: PROBATE

My ex husband dies may 1st and i was his sole caregiver for 2 yrs. I was taken care of him and making sure he was ok.

May 1st @1035 am he died at home.

His mother applied to be the administer if the estate om may 15, and the recorder of will said that she will not be the administer... View More

Charles Snyderman
Charles Snyderman
answered on Jan 11, 2013

She cannot withdraw funds from the account until she has been appointed administrator of the estate. If, however, your ex husband added his mother's name to the account, then she would in fact be able to withdraw funds.

She should not have the right to get a key until she has been...
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