Get free answers to your Estate Planning legal questions from lawyers in your area.
answered on Oct 11, 2024
First your mother will have to get the house in her name alone. Depending on the wording of the deed, that may require probate or an affidavit. Then your mother can do her estate planning. A will does not avoid probate, but there are other ways. A trust avoids probate. She should schedule a... View More 
My grandmother died in July and her assets were in a trust. I believe that my father, who died three years ago, is a beneficiary of the trust and I would be a successor beneficiary and may be entitled to his share.
The problem is that, despite multiple requests, the trustee has not provided... View More
answered on Sep 30, 2024
Beneficiaries are entitled to a copy of the trust instrument, among other things, under Ohio law. If you are having a difficult time with the trustee, then you need to be proactive. This is a common story and the longer you wait the more likely you are to end up with nothing. I recommend getting an... View More
My mother recently died in Lawrence County Ohio. She has 2 children, myself, a 44 year old Kentucky resident, and my sister, a 49 year old West Virginia resident. Her estate only consists of a 2009 Honda Civic, no other assets, no owed debts. What is our best course of action since neither of us... View More
answered on Sep 24, 2024
It sounds like the estate may qualify for a simplified proceeding to handle the vehicle. Unfortunately, a Court process is still involved. Depending on what estate documents are in place you may need to retain local counsel to handle the matter for you.
I recommend setting up a... View More
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answered on Jun 6, 2024
Any asset acquired prior to marriage, unless comingled with marital assets, is non-marital. It should not need additional protection. Exceptions to this can include certain property used by both parties, like a house, that was appreciated in value following the marriage. In general, though,... View More
Dad was diagnosed a few weeks ago and can no longer drive, manage his finances or cook for himself, per the evaluation. The forward prognosis is difficulty dressing, bathing and feeding within a year. I am a licensed CPA and need to confirm what I can and should not do. I have durable POA and it... View More
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answered on Jun 3, 2024
Do you need to as a matter of law? No. Will every nursing home, health care provider, and bank give you a hard time about the POAs and make you jump through a million hoops that you wouldn't have to do if you had guardianship? Absolutely yes.
We moved into their house 2 weeks before his dad died. My husband's brother, David, is executor of estate and power of attorney for my mother-in-law. Per my husband, a verbal agreement was made that when my mother-in-law passed, her house would be sold and we would receive a larger portion for... View More
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answered on Jun 2, 2024
I'm sorry to hear about the difficult situation you’re facing. Given the verbal agreement and the substantial care your husband provided for his mother, it’s understandable that you feel entitled to a larger portion of the estate. However, verbal agreements can be challenging to enforce... View More
My little sister moved to Ohio and got married and has been separated from her husband for over 5 years and now her husband is incarserated and has been for 8 years They have a son that is 16 She just recently was in a car wreck that took her life ..and now for next of kin with him in prison should... View More
answered on May 20, 2024
Those who paid for her funeral may get reimbursed if they submit a claim before the deadline. But, I'm not aware of an exception to inheritance for incarcerated persons. As such, he will likely be entitled to his share of her estate. The husband should name somebody as power of attorney to act... View More
I have had 2 OH lawyers say that an OH lawyer has to create my Trust since I reside in OH, but I own several rental properties and a second home in TN. The TN lawyer said he absolutely can create my trust.
Does one state trump the other or is it a free for all?
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answered on Apr 23, 2024
Both Ohio and Tennessee are part of the Uniform Trust Code. That means that a trust in either state will be enforceable in the other, so it doesn't really matter who drafts. There may be other planning reasons to stick with an Ohio lawyer, but it's not this one.
I have had 2 OH lawyers say that an OH lawyer has to create my Trust since I reside in OH, but I own several rental properties and a second home in TN. The TN lawyer said he absolutely can create my trust.
Does one state trump the other or is it a free for all?
answered on Apr 22, 2024
You can probably use an attorney in either state. I would defer to your state of residency, though, since other assets could end up in the trust. Further, you may want a will that addresses your trust and the TN lawyer cannot draft a will for an OH resident. Location of the successor trustee(s) and... View More
He left everything to my children (two minors ages 8 and 6) to be held in trust until they reach 30 years old. He owns a home which I know he would want to be kept for them. He named a family friend to serve as the Executor of the will and Trustee for the kids. Well we were evicted from the place... View More
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answered on Mar 30, 2024
In your situation, it's crucial to understand that the legal dynamics surrounding estates, trusts, and real estate can be complex, especially when it involves minors and inherited property. Given the urgency of your eviction and the specific circumstances, seeking legal advice from an attorney... View More
We live together in Ohio and have one minor child and are not married and never were. My ex refuses to leave and also will not pay the mortgage (his agreed half of the bills when we bought the home).
How can I get my EX name off the property since I have been the only one paying the... View More
answered on Mar 25, 2024
What you want to do is not impossible. It is however highly improbable. What you will need to do as file and action called partition period you should seek out attorney who regularly practices real estate law in your county. It would be better still if that attorney practices family law. You only... View More
My grandfather passed in 2017, I was 17 years old. I know that I am a beneficiary to a trust, as is my brother, but I was never given any information on the value or really how it works at all. Now, as a 24 year old, I still have not gained that knowledge. My mother avoids discussing it and... View More
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answered on Mar 4, 2024
Any beneficiary of a trust with a fully vested interest may seek a copy of the trust document and an accounting of the trust from the trustee at any time. If the Trustee refuses, the beneficiary may bring an action for an accounting against them. This is the beneficiary's remedy if the the... View More
My dad passed away last summer. My sister (beneficiary) has been given a check from my father's life insurance policy and we are told the funds will be available in ~2 weeks. However, my dad has a high amount of medical debt left over. Is the life insurance money safe to be used or will... View More
answered on Feb 19, 2024
Proceeds from a life insurance policy, where the beneficiary is a named living individual(s), pass outside of the probate process, and the creditors have no claim to it because those proceeds are not part of your dad's estate.
These don’t show on my credit report
answered on Feb 19, 2024
More information is needed here. For example, based on your post, are you suggesting that these 3 credit cards are in your deceased hsuband's name only? Anyway, the short version is that if you stop paying then you are exposed to being potentially sued and the question is whether or not... View More
These don’t show on my credit report
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answered on Feb 22, 2024
As a widow at 71 with limited assets, you may have options to address the credit card debt incurred by your deceased husband. Since the credit card debts do not appear on your credit report, it suggests that you may not be legally obligated to repay them, especially if they were solely in your... View More
answered on Feb 18, 2024
You need to ask this question of an OHIO lawyer but in general, a 'waiver' means you agree with something and will not be appearing in court to contest what is being asked.
HOWEVER, if you want specifics including what that Ohio code number means, you need to consult with someone... View More
His will splits his estate 50-50 between my sister and myself. I have financial POA.
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answered on Feb 9, 2024
A will absolutely does not avoid probate. Rather, it guarantees probate. Avoidance of probate requires a different technique such as a trust or a transfer on death designation/document. An estate planning attorney can help you choose the best probate-avoidance technique for you.
I received a letter from my Aunt's Estate asking me to approve her choice for Executor of her Will.
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answered on Jan 18, 2024
Receiving a letter asking for your approval of an executor in someone's will does not necessarily mean that you are a beneficiary in that will. The role of an executor is to carry out the wishes outlined in the deceased person's will and manage the estate affairs. Your approval might be... View More
answered on Jan 11, 2024
It's difficult for an attorney answering this question to know what "very little" means. Assuming we are talking less than a couple $1000, the family could file for an administrative relief from probate / summary administration. If the assets are even less than 1000 the family may... View More
The will states any money in the bank or deposits on hold shall be divided.
answered on Dec 25, 2023
The issue here is whether the "executor on the bank account" is named as the beneficiary or a co-owner of the account. Bank accounts can have more than one owner and / or can be named in trust for (ITF) another individual, the beneficiary. If the executor also happens to be the co-owner... View More
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