Get free answers to your Estate Planning legal questions from lawyers in your area.
He has 3 other children who are full siblings to my mother. This is in Brooklyn NY, NYC.
Uncle says life insurance payout is on hold because they need my mother's death certificate.
Uncles not forthcoming with information and seem to be trying to get death certificate without me knowing.
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Nov 8, 2024
Sorry to hear about your loss. Generally the first beneficiary would be entitled to the proceeds. Since she died after, it is possible that her estate can make the claim. See if she had a Will. If so, that may dictate what happens to the distribution of the benefits and who would be the personal... View More 
Far as I know he had no will. Life insurance policy had no beneficiary and bank accounts totaling 90,000 plus are currently frozen. Is my mother legally owed any of the money. Also there's another policy that has not been claimed. What happens if my mother is named a beneficiary?
We... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Oct 27, 2024
When there is no beneficiary named, the account will be paid to the decedent’s estate. If there is no Will, someone must apply to the Surrogate’s Court for Letters of Administration. The priority of who may apply is 1) Spouse, 2) Children, 3) Parents, 4) Siblings. The grating of Letters of... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Oct 12, 2024
If no estate was opened, your wife did not receive Letters Testamentary and therefore cannot act on behalf on behalf of the estate, which includes signing a deed.
Your wife, assuming she is the named Executrix in the Will must submit the Will for probate in order to receive Letters... View More
A parent has a trust with 2 beneficiaries. We would like to move a house into a separate trust with only one beneficiary. So the house is being given to one child but the other should get half of the 2024 value somehow
Not sure the best way to do this so the other child gets half the 2024... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 30, 2024
Giving the house to one beneficiary now could have many unintended negative consequences such as loss of step up in basis at the death of the gift giver and a hefty Medicaid penalty period assessed against the gift giver on account of the lifetime uncompensated transfer.
This is not the... View More
Hello really weird question that no one has been able to figure out, but my girlfriend’s dad passed away and she is an only child who inherited everything and she is trying to give his motorcycle to her uncle/ his brother. There is no title for it and it’s showing that it’s not registered in... View More
answered on Jul 30, 2024
You're right; that is a tough one. The estate planning attorneys here would know best, but your question remains open for a week. In terms of registration, there probably wouldn't be any records that come up if the motorcycle was last registered in 1970, over fifty years ago. If there is... View More
when I was buying my husband credit wasn't good,so I use my daughter's name and credit but it was my money used. I'm sick and would like to protect my husband just in case...
answered on Jul 23, 2024
You will need to schedule a "mini-closing" where you (or your daughter) will need to deed the property from herself, to herself and your husband, as joint tenants (a technical legal term of ownership). Which particular form of ownership would work best requires a detailed review of your... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jun 3, 2024
No. In New York, to be valid, the Will must be signed by the person making it in the presence of at least two disinterested witnesses. There is no requirement that the Maker's (Testator) signature be notarized. However, it is advisable that the two witnesses sign an affidavit at the time... View More
answered on Apr 30, 2024
There are attorneys who can set up the things you list in your post. But it might be difficult for attorneys here to respond with offers of their services - the format here is limited to Q & A. You're going to need to reach out to attorneys. You could search attorneys on your own, you use... View More
We live in New York State
My husband (55) and I (62) would like to make a will, don't have time for a lawyer (leaving town).
Can we download a will from online (i.e.Rural Law Ctr NY provides template)
- print out
- have 2 unrelated people witness
- notarize
Thank you,
answered on Apr 11, 2024
A will must be prepared and executed in an exact way. The witnesses have to know what they are witnessing. When I do a will signing it is a formal ceremony and I ask certain questions of the testator and witnesses. If you do it properly then it should be ok. If you make any mistakes the entire... View More
My brother recently passed away, now it's just me and my mom. Is there any way for me to be added to the life estate?
answered on Apr 8, 2024
You may share in whatever interest your mother has if she conveys it (all or a share) to you, but she cannot convey more than she has; so her life tenancy would not extend beyond her lifetime. Upon her death your brother’s heirs or those named in his will if he had one (whether that includes you... View More
I am my brother’s only living heir.
answered on Apr 2, 2024
The best way is to run a social security search. However, if you were appointed as the fiduciary of his Estate you could contact the IRS and obtain a transcript to see what has been reported in the past, contact the local banks and other financial institutions and review all his records, bank... View More
upon my death use all the various funds to pay my heirs without her paying gift taxes. Thank you for your time and attention.
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 30, 2024
You are better off not naming any beneficiaries for any of your accounts and allow the executor of your will, after court appointment, to collect them and distribute them according to the provisions of your will. The problem with your proposed strategy is the person you meant to be your executor... View More
She asked him to take his name off the deed which she did in 1994. She passed in 2019. He was always responsible for the mortgage payments. This is in NY
answered on Apr 2, 2024
If they are still legally married, he is entitled to his share as the spouse regardless of whether his name is on the asset or not. However, if his name is on the asset, it may change how and what percentage passes depending on the way title is held.
She asked him to take his name off the deed which she did in 1994. She passed in 2019. He was always responsible for the mortgage payments. This is in NY
answered on Mar 22, 2024
A surviving spouse is entitled to inherit. The information provided by the NYS Unified Court System at this link should be helpful to you: https://www.nycourts.gov/courthelp/whensomeonedies/intestacy.shtml
I was in jail at the time plus I am my mother's 1st son and favorite yet I didn't sign anything or agree to nothing they just took everything
I need help
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 13, 2024
I'm so sorry to hear about your situation. Dealing with a manipulated will and the loss of an inheritance is incredibly painful, especially while also grieving the loss of your mother. Here are some steps you could consider taking to try to rectify the situation and get back what is rightfully... View More
In to take over granted 6 months. Can a family member get power of attorney to get condo back in Surrogate court for the child so nephews don't get evicted.
answered on Mar 4, 2024
Without a will, all the children living when their mother passed away became the heirs of the real property. Any one of the adult children had the power to become the legal administrator of their mother's estate and transfer the deed from the decedent's estate to each sibling, as well as... View More
can an court appointed admin of an estate pick and choose what to honor in a will/or unofficial will
answered on Apr 2, 2024
The fiduciary must follow the terms of the Will, assuming it is admitted to probate. If someone has standing, even a non-family member, then they can contest the Will. They will have to timely contest the Will, file the appropriate Objections and comport to all Court rules and requirements.... View More
can an court appointed admin of an estate pick and choose what to honor in a will/or unofficial will
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 4, 2024
An Executor appointed by the Court is a fiduciary of the estate. They are required to follow the directives set forth in the Will which has been validated by the Court. There is no such thing as an unofficial Will. A Will may be contested by non-family members. However, they must demonstrate... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 15, 2024
In New York estate planning and probate, a citation in the context of a will is a legal notice issued by the court. This notice is sent to distributees (potential heirs and other interested parties) to inform them of the probate proceedings and to give them an opportunity to appear in court if they... View More
Is a healthcare proxy sufficient or do I need more?
answered on Feb 6, 2024
As my colleague correctly advised, a health care proxy will allow you to make medical decisions on behalf of your parents. If you wish to make other decisions on their behalf, they would need to sign a Power of Attorney form designating you as their agent (assuming they have capacity to understand... View More
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
