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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Elder Law for California on
Q: I need a lawyer who handles California Penal Code 632 PC

My mother was recorded on her property without her consent by a private investigator who was trying to scare her into his answer to build a case that happened over 30 years ago, my mom is over 81 years old and has a forgetful memory.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 29, 2024

You may have grounds to take legal action under California Penal Code 632 PC, which prohibits recording confidential communications without consent. This law aims to protect the privacy of individuals, especially in their own homes. Given that your mother was recorded on her property without her... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Civil Litigation, Civil Rights and Elder Law for California on
Q: On CIV 100 form. Only checked for Default, does one need sign #3, if not Landlord tenant, UD? Number 1, when naming ...

Defendants, if titles has does numbers, do you write same as title Defendants names does 1- whatever or leave off the does?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 29, 2024

When filling out the CIV 100 form, if you are only requesting a default judgment, you do not need to sign under section #3 if the case is not related to landlord-tenant (unlawful detainer). You can leave that part blank.

Regarding the defendants, if the titles list "Does 1 to...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Elder Law for Texas on
Q: am I eligible for medicaid in texas with eligible SS income and resources, but also a testamentary trust ?

My SS retirement income and personal resources make me eligible, but there's also a 30 year old, irrevocable, testamentary, spendthrift trust from my father in which I am the beneficiary, and the trustee has full discretion regarding any disbursements .

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on May 28, 2024

As a general rule, the Social Security Administration takes the position that if a trust beneficiary does not have the legal authority to revoke or terminate a third party trust (a trust created by neither the beneficiary nor the beneficiary's spouse) or to direct the use of the trust assets... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Estate Planning and Elder Law for Florida on
Q: My father signed a new will several times. We were unable to have it. notarized or witnessed. He is dying. Thank you.

We live in Florida. The previous will was made 40 years ago and he did not read or understand it. The second will is fair to his children. I greatly appreciate your advice.

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on May 26, 2024

If the document is not witnessed and notarized, it will not be recognized as a will in Florida. Strict compliance with the law regarding wills is necessary for the document to be enforceable as a will.

Schedule a free consultation to make sure your father's estate plan is formalized...
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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Estate Planning and Elder Law for Florida on
Q: My father signed a new will several times. We were unable to have it. notarized or witnessed. He is dying. Thank you.

We live in Florida. The previous will was made 40 years ago and he did not read or understand it. The second will is fair to his children. I greatly appreciate your advice.

Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on May 27, 2024

I am very sorry for father's illness and his health struggles ongoing. There will be a serious issue with such a Will in Florida, it will not be a valid Will as it does not meet the Florida Statutory requirements of F.S. 732.502 (you can look it up online), what you have described without any... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Civil Rights, Elder Law, Gov & Administrative Law and Family Law for South Carolina on
Q: What to do next?

He is on disability, has already paid a lawyer $5,500. It has been a full year of separation and the lawyer still hasn't filed. He has nothing left financially to give. He and his soon to be ex have a residence with $83,000 owed on a second mortgage. What should he do?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 24, 2024

If his lawyer has not filed for divorce after a year and he has already paid $5,500, he should first contact the lawyer to request an update and a timeline for filing. Clear communication is essential to understand any delays and to press for immediate action. If the lawyer remains unresponsive or... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Elder Law for California on
Q: Can Mem/Asst Care Home move our mom to a single room w/o her/our permission and raise her rent an added $1900?

My mother in-law has dementia and her Assisted/Memory care home called and said because she is located next to the front door and she always wants to know what's going on every time the doorbell rings, and her roommate doesn't want to room with her they are moving her to a room by herself... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 24, 2024

I'm sorry to hear about the difficult situation with your mother-in-law's care home. Under California law, the care home cannot move your mother-in-law to a different room and increase her rent without her or your permission, especially given her dementia.

You should review the...
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2 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights, Elder Law and Landlord - Tenant for North Carolina on
Q: Can a landlord require you to let certain people live with you, who can and can’t live there? I’m permanently disabled

My landlord sent an email saying my child must live with me or I have to move out. She stated that I couldn’t do anything to move any of her property but I must repair her house and improve her land. She also states that I must replace her appliances that have wore out over the 11 years I have... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 3, 2024

Your landlord's demands and actions raise several legal concerns. Generally, a landlord cannot force you to have certain people live with you or dictate who can and cannot live there, beyond the terms specified in your lease agreement. Additionally, your landlord should not be entering your... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Elder Law, Land Use & Zoning and Small Claims for California on
Q: Can I sue my neighbor & HOA since my neighbor double parks in front of my garage preventing me from using our garage?

We have taken pics and sent emails to the HOA. All I'm told is that they escalated the problem. She just got a ticket. I called a tow number listed on the property and was told they could not tow her because it's not a red fire lane and they can get in trouble. Now the tow company said... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 21, 2024

Based on the information you've provided, it seems that you have a valid concern and your neighbor's actions are causing significant inconvenience and distress. Under California law, you may have grounds for a legal claim against your neighbor and possibly your HOA. Here are a few points... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Elder Law for West Virginia on
Q: What happens to funds from an inheritance check, made out to the principal of a POA, that was deposited into POA account

As my grandmother’s POA, If I opened a savings account, solely in my name,

(to be used for her medical expenses/personal care items)

& deposited an inheritance check made out in my grandmother’s name; what happens to the funds remaining in account after she passes?

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on May 19, 2024

I would caution you against depositing a check made payable to your grandmother into an account that is in your name. That will look very much like theft or conversion. And that is the case even if you really only do use the money for your grandmother’s benefit. It is very risky for you.... View More

Q: I just had a mesh removed from my abdominal area wrapped and waded around every organ and nerve in my abdomen.

6 hr surgery left me limited on my functioning skills sometimes I shake my nervous system took a shock that affected whole body.7+ years of severe and chronic tesicular and abdominal pain I suffered from the error of the surgery team improperly implanting the devise in me and the mesh separated and... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 19, 2024

I'm so sorry to hear about the severe complications and chronic pain you've suffered as a result of the improperly implanted surgical mesh. What you've gone through sounds absolutely awful. Based on the details you provided, it seems you may have grounds for a medical malpractice... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Civil Litigation, Elder Law and Probate for California on
Q: If you have got the petitioner to admit on the stand she and another were caregiver doesn't that take away undue influen

If you can show through declarations and documents that you were somewhere else?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 13, 2024

Under California law, proving that a petitioner and another person were caregivers can indeed influence the court’s view on whether undue influence was exerted. If the caregivers had significant control or influence over an individual, especially one who might have been vulnerable or dependent,... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Elder Law and Probate for California on
Q: Is it illegal to have someone type up a letter for power of attorney when they are in the red deathbed unable to sign

I was denied being to see mother bc a h cake typed up a letter for power of attorney for my mother and had my youngest brother who she didn’t raise and didn’t trust sign it and which lead to me not being able to see her bc he said and not being able to get info for her services even after... View More

Julie King
Julie King
answered on May 9, 2024

One of the key questions is whether a physician has opined that your mother no longer had sufficient mental capacity to understand what she was signing before she signed the power of attorney. People can lose their mental capacity from a legal standpoint years before death or never take place at... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Elder Law and Probate for California on
Q: Is it illegal to have someone type up a letter for power of attorney when they are in the red deathbed unable to sign

I was denied being to see mother bc a h cake typed up a letter for power of attorney for my mother and had my youngest brother who she didn’t raise and didn’t trust sign it and which lead to me not being able to see her bc he said and not being able to get info for her services even after... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 9, 2024

I'm so sorry to hear about your difficult situation with your mother's passing and the issues surrounding her power of attorney. A few key points:

1. Power of attorney (POA) is only valid while the person granting it is alive. Once the person passes away, the POA is no longer in...
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3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Elder Law and Probate for California on
Q: Is it illegal to have someone type up a letter for power of attorney when they are in the red deathbed unable to sign

I was denied being to see mother bc a h cake typed up a letter for power of attorney for my mother and had my youngest brother who she didn’t raise and didn’t trust sign it and which lead to me not being able to see her bc he said and not being able to get info for her services even after... View More

Karn Thapar
Karn Thapar
answered on May 9, 2024

There are many issues here and you may be best served by speaking with a qualified attorney. As you stated, a power of attorney only applies during the lifetime of the individual. It ceases effectiveness at death. Additionally, it seems that there may be questions regarding the individual's... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Elder Law, Contracts and Probate for California on
Q: how to defend yourself from wrongdul allegations of undue influence fin. elder abuse,quiet title and cancel deed,

and rescission of will? I have proof with declarations to support my where abouts and reciepts to show where anymoney went. and the deceased left a will i didnt know about untill after his death. I transfered property by affdavit.

Delaram Keshvarian
Delaram Keshvarian
answered on May 12, 2024

Thank you for your question!

The underlying cause of action action against you is "Undue Influence." Quiet title, cancellation of deed, and rescission of will are remedies sight of the liability in the underlying cause of action is proven.

Sometimes attorneys argue that...
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2 Answers | Asked in Elder Law, Contracts and Probate for California on
Q: how to defend yourself from wrongdul allegations of undue influence fin. elder abuse,quiet title and cancel deed,

and rescission of will? I have proof with declarations to support my where abouts and reciepts to show where anymoney went. and the deceased left a will i didnt know about untill after his death. I transfered property by affdavit.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 8, 2024

To defend yourself against wrongful allegations of undue influence, financial elder abuse, quiet title, deed cancellation, and rescission of a will under California law, consider the following steps:

1. Gather evidence: Collect all relevant documents, such as the deceased's will,...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Elder Law and Probate for New Mexico on
Q: In clovis New Mexico seems the executer stealing trust & OD my father &nobody else can get medical record or bank info

Laws in NM make it easy for executer to get away with murder and embezzlement nobody else can get the records or file wrongful death. My father was not her 1st victim commishioner James Ridling was my fathers friend and business partner. Does anyone know what happened to him.

Ryan Sise
Ryan Sise
answered on May 7, 2024

Good afternoon, I am sorry to hear about your father's passing. It seems as if the executor may not be following their assigned duties as the trust's executor. All is not lost, there are ways to encourage an executor of a trust to follow their required responsibilities, and/or you can ask... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Elder Law and Landlord - Tenant for California on
Q: What are my rights as a tenant accused of elder abuse? And how do I counter-sue them for tenant abuse?

I've been living with my brother's family in their house for almost ten years. We don't get along, so we always argue. They would not let me use some amenities in the house, like the washer, the fan and even the lights. They would slam doors when I'm sleeping on the couch (I... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 4, 2024

As a tenant in California, you have certain rights protected under state law. However, the specific rights and legal options available to you may depend on the details of your living arrangement and the alleged elder abuse accusation.

Your rights as a tenant:

1. Habitable living...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Elder Law for Florida on
Q: Both my name and my mother's name are on the deed to her house. Also, her will directs the house to pass to me.

However, her boyfriend lives with her and has made his intentions for the house known to me. Although he pays her rent every month, he does so in cash so no trace exists. What am I looking at here in the future? Will he have a claim to the house because he lives there?

Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on May 4, 2024

Since they are not married and he pays monthly rent to your Mom to rent part of the house as a tenant, it sounds like he is a month to month renter, since he is not married he has no rights, since he is not on the deed he has no rights. The house should pass to you via the deed (this needs to be... View More

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