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Nebraska Estate Planning Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Nebraska on
Q: If my sister and I inherited a house from our parents, and my sister dies, so I now own all of the house?

The house is in both of our names.

Kelly Henry Turner
Kelly Henry Turner
answered on Jan 27, 2023

The answer would depend on how you and the sister owned the house. If the house is owned as Tenants-in-Common, each owns an undivided interest in the property. The deceased sister's interest would pass through her estate.

If the property is owned in Joint Tenancy with Rights of...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Agricultural Law for Nebraska on
Q: Does a court go off the last Will made?

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Kelly Henry Turner
Kelly Henry Turner
answered on Jan 27, 2023

If the Will is valid the Court will admit the most recent recently executed Will. The Will could be challenged if there is any concern for undue influence, capacity or fraud.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Nebraska on
Q: When selling a house is it illegal to give a car away with the purchase of the house?

Can I be liable for any damages to the vehicle before or after a year once it is in the possession of the property buyer? What are my responsibilities once I have sold?

Julie Fowler
Julie Fowler
answered on May 4, 2022

If you did the proper legal formalities such as a bill of sale and transferring the title of the vehicle to the new owner, then you likely have no further responsibility at least as owner of the vehicle. If you left the vehicle but you are still a title holder, then things become more complicated... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Legal Malpractice, Contracts and Estate Planning for Nebraska on
Q: Should the estate Atty (executor) provide a periodic accounting of legal costs to the beneficiaries? it’s been 9 months.

We’ve sent written requests for accounting of legal fees and asked in person. I once asked what the typical cost of an estate this size (3M) runs. Initially he said 20-25K, a month later I asked again and he said 40-45K. We’ve received nothing in writing regarding legal fees. I asked why the... Read more »

Julie Fowler
Julie Fowler
answered on Jan 6, 2022

Someone likely entered into a fee agreement with the attorney. The fee agreement likely sets forth how often the attorney will send an updated accounting. You should ask and expect the attorney to generally follow the terms of this agreement.

There should be an accounting of fees...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Nebraska on
Q: Can a person with power of attorney change a will, or make it so beneficiaries do not get property they are to recieve?
Nina Whitehurst
PREMIUM
Nina Whitehurst
answered on Oct 12, 2021

No, a will cannot be made or amended by an agent under a power of attorney. When it comes to making a will, that authority is not delegable. It is sometimes possible for a conservator to make or amend a will for a ward, but that is rare and it requires court approval.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Nebraska on
Q: My husband and I need a basic will set up. How much does this cost usually?
Julie Fowler
Julie Fowler
answered on Jun 18, 2021

It depends on a lot of factors. Probably between $500 to $5,000 depending on what your assets and debts are and what you mean by "basic will."

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Nebraska on
Q: My mother lived in Colorado Springs I live in Nebraska and my brother lives in Oregon I am the oldest child my mom did

Have a will in which I was named as executor. The will went missing however I have many relatives that witnessed what the will said and named me as executor my brother has taken possession of all of my mom's money and will not give me the 50% my mom had written as her wishes for her 2 children... Read more »

Julie Fowler
Julie Fowler
answered on Oct 19, 2020

You may need to retain a probate attorney to assist you in having the estate divided with the assistance of the Court. Generally you need to retain an attorney where the deceased last lived.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Elder Law, Estate Planning and Probate for Nebraska on
Q: What are the steps to getting your name added to a house title in Lincoln Nebraska? Brother had mom's name removed.

My dad passed, my brother removed mom's name so he's the only person on the title. My mother is elderly and she said she didn't know. I was never consulted and found out by looking at the county records. My bother said I can be put on the title but I don't know where to start.

Julie Fowler
Julie Fowler
answered on Sep 4, 2020

If you are implying that there may have been some type of fraud in removing the mother's name and adding the brother's name to the title, then that needs to be looked into and corrected if necessary first before participating in the brother's willingness to add another name to the... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Nebraska on
Q: Good morning! Question about whether a decedent's Will designating a trustee is sufficient to avoid probate.

We have been told my mother's Will designating me as trustee and personal representative, is not sufficient to avoid probate. The will drawn up in Nebraska, states "...my personal representative shall have all of the powers conferred on trustees under the Nebraska Trustees Powers Act....... Read more »

Nina Whitehurst
PREMIUM
Nina Whitehurst
answered on May 25, 2020

Where there's a will, there's probate, period. Probate is how wills are administered. If you want to avoid probate, then you should create a trust-based estate plan. Trusts are administered with no court involvement unless someone sues to set aside or void or contest the trust.... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Estate Planning, Family Law and Real Estate Law for Nebraska on
Q: Husband won't put my name on the deed to house. I have been paying towards the mortgage since marriage. What can I do?

Only his name is on the mortgage, he paid on the house for 6 years before we were married. House has appreciated since marriage, we have both put work into it. He makes 50k more a year than I do, but I work FT and stay home with our child 5 days a week. I pay half of all utilities/groceries/family... Read more »

Julie Fowler
Julie Fowler
answered on Mar 3, 2020

Generally, even if only one spouse's name is on the deed, the court will generally consider the home as marital if purchased during the marriage. If one spouse owned the home prior to the marriage, then the Court will generally determine that part of the equity in the home is marital and part... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Tax Law for Nebraska on
Q: can they charge you inheritance tax if you never received the inheritance?

Court papers mailed to us saying we owe taxes on an inheritance. We never received an inheritance. We were told that once my husbands dad and uncle pass away then my husband would get what is left over, however when I call the courts it says that it was tax on an amount down to the penny. I called... Read more »

David Ostrove
PREMIUM
David Ostrove
answered on Feb 25, 2020

The tax is based on the fair market value of what the beneficiary receives, even though the actual receipt may be postponed. The lawyer will need more facts to answer.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Nebraska on
Q: Nebraska Revised Statute 43-293.

The Statute states An order terminating the parent-juvenile relationship shall divest the parent and juvenile of all legal rights, privileges, duties, and obligations with respect to each other and the parents shall have no rights of inheritance with respect to such juvenile

Does this mean... Read more »

Julie Fowler
Julie Fowler
answered on Dec 30, 2019

If a parent's parental rights are terminated, it generally ends the legal relationship. Thus, the statutes of inheritance among parent-child are also generally severed. Thus, if the parent dies without a will, then the child isn't likely to inherit as a "child" of the parent... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Nebraska on
Q: My father while in hospice created a new will the day before he died cutting me out of his estate. Can I do anything?

He had a will in September 2019 with a lawyer's assistance. Notarized etc. The executor said he would like to meet with my siblings and I to see if we can reach an agreement. I have a feeling they will not. I would like to be ready to do what I need to do to contest the final will. I have no... Read more »

Nina Whitehurst
PREMIUM
Nina Whitehurst
answered on Dec 17, 2019

You can hire a will contest attorney to challege the will on the basis of lack of capacity and possibly also undue influence. Be prepared for the attorney to counsel you that reaching a settlement with your siblings will be cheaper and and easier than a will contest.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Nebraska on
Q: i bought a new house . its all paid n free n clear.. my question is i havent made a change in my will yet .

my will has my previous property listed..

what happens if i die and havent listed this house in my will

Nina Whitehurst
PREMIUM
Nina Whitehurst
answered on Nov 26, 2019

The new house would pass according to the residuary clause in your will.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Nebraska on
Q: My mother passed away and I'm in charge of her estate she has back Medicaid do I have to pay back medacade
Julie Fowler
Julie Fowler
answered on Jul 16, 2019

Medicaid recoupment is a powerful tool of the government to obtain funds from a deceased's estate to help pay back for the costs of Medicaid for the deceased. There is a whole subsection of estate planning that focuses on ways to prevent or minimize Medicaid recoupment. You should speak with... Read more »

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