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Estate Planning Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Estate Planning and Family Law for Nevada on
Q: Can an unborn child be the sole inheritance of a residential home ?

And if the child is not born, can there be a provision for the property to go to the state ? Bypassing the Child's parents.

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Jun 21, 2024

A very good attorney could draft such a future interest deed (contingent remainder; subject to an executory interest; etc.) which would not violate the Rule Against Perpetuities. Very few attorneys can draft an enforceable deed such as that, and no title companies. You will need to hire a NV... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Estate Planning and Probate for California on
Q: When my mother dies will I be able to live in her house even if she still owes on her mortgage

My mother lives in her home, I also live there, and she has a monthly mortgage payment. She has a will and has left the house to me. When she dies will I still be able to live there.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 20, 2024

To answer this question, we need to consider a few key points about California law regarding inherited property with an existing mortgage:

1. Inheritance of the property: If your mother has left the house to you in her will, you will inherit the property upon her death, assuming the will is...
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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Estate Planning and Family Law for California on
Q: My mother passed 2016. left a will & trust. everything to 3 Sister. Oldest refuse to give younger copy of will.

may have had (living) trust changed. inheritance includes home in SF and Property in Texas.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 20, 2024

Under California law, you have the right to request a copy of your mother's will and trust documents, especially if you are a beneficiary. Your older sister is required to provide these documents to all named beneficiaries and heirs.

If your sister refuses to share the documents, you...
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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Estate Planning and Family Law for California on
Q: My mother passed 2016. left a will & trust. everything to 3 Sister. Oldest refuse to give younger copy of will.

may have had (living) trust changed. inheritance includes home in SF and Property in Texas.

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Jun 20, 2024

Each of the sisters have a right to a copy of the will and trust. The ability to change the trust will depend on the language contained in it. If the oldest sister refuses to provide the estate documents, the other sisters can compel the production of those documents from the oldest sister.... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Estate Planning for Michigan on
Q: I am looking for an attorney that can do a codicil to my will.

When the will was drawn up. My daughter was the sole beneficiary of the life insurance. Now I want to add my son to get an equal share. It is only two hundred thousand, but I want it to be split between son and daughter.

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jun 20, 2024

You probably don't need a codicile for this as much as you do a change to your life insurance's beneficiary designation. Unless your beneficiary designation calls for your insurance to go to your estate, the insurance company will pay out whomever is listed on the beneficiary designation... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: What does this statement signify in laments term on a donation document being drafted for my father who is still alive?

"clarify that they acquire a participation equivalent to _percent in the property described above, in such a way that, from now on, they are all owners of it in community of property. It is noted that all those appearing parties in this act have been warned about the legal effects of the... View More

Rafael  Pagan-Colon
Rafael Pagan-Colon
answered on Jun 20, 2024

In layman's terms, what the paragraph means is that all of the owners each has a participation of a specific percentage over the entire real estate property, but none has specific ownership. For example, if the property is a house, no one owns the kitchen or the bathroom, etc. A subsequent... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate and Estate Planning for California on
Q: A retired attorney for the County of Los Angeles died leaving her predeceased spouse as her LACERA beneficiary in error.

Her son was her sole recipient of her will and trust but could not receive 100% of her benefits in direct conflict to his mothers will and Trust due to the LA county rules that say instead the money in her retirement be divided equally amongst all of her decendents in direct conflict with her... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 19, 2024

In this situation, the conflict arises between the beneficiary designation for the LACERA (Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association) benefits and the provisions of the deceased's will and trust. Generally, beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and pension plans supersede... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Banking, International Law and Probate for New Jersey on
Q: How do you get money from an account that was left to a deceased spouse in Puerto Rico?

My husband's grandmother passed away 10 years ago in Puerto Rico. She left him money that his Aunts knew about and never told us. My husband passed away 7 years ago and they're just telling me now about this. How do I claim this money?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 19, 2024

To claim the money left by your husband's grandmother to your deceased husband, you will need to go through the legal process in Puerto Rico. Here are the general steps you should follow:

1. Obtain a copy of your husband's death certificate and his grandmother's will or...
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4 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Texas on
Q: How do I make sure my wife gets everything if I die? I want no claims for previous kids

I live in Texas

Gratia "Grace" P. Schoemakers
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answered on Jun 19, 2024

Making a Will or a trust with your wife as only person to inherit would be a good start. Then like my colleague say, ensuring that your beneficiary designations are up to date, as well as any POD designations on accounts, and if applicable transfer on death designations on your home and... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Texas on
Q: How do I make sure my wife gets everything if I die? I want no claims for previous kids

I live in Texas

Ronald Lee Baranski Jr
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answered on Jun 18, 2024

The easiest way to make sure everything goes to your wife is to provide for her in a Will that complies with all formalities required in TX. Generally, you need two witnessed that are in your presence when you sign your Will declaring to them its your Will and you are requesting them to witness you... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Texas on
Q: How do I make sure my wife gets everything if I die? I want no claims for previous kids

I live in Texas

Beth Ann Serafini-Smith
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Beth Ann Serafini-Smith
answered on Jun 18, 2024

In order for your assets to go to a specific person, you need a valid Texas Will to handle your probate assets, or you need to name that person as the beneficiary on the assets/accounts for non-probate assets.

Failure to do do either of those may give others a right to those assets, or...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Texas on
Q: Common law spouse died. We have 2 kids,1 minor. We share NO finances. Am I obligated to his debt? Can I claim spouse SS?
John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jun 18, 2024

As a general rule, a spouse is not liable for a debt incurred by the other spouse unless the debt was incurred for "necessaries" (e.g. food, clothing, shelter) or the spouse was acting as an agent for the other spouse. Obviously, if you had jointly signed on a debt or filed a joint tax... View More

4 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Consumer Law, Estate Planning and Family Law for North Carolina on
Q: Am I responsible for my wife's CC liability when she passes? South Carolina
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 19, 2024

In South Carolina, as in most states, debts belong to the individual, not the spouse, unless it was a joint account or the spouse co-signed on the account. When someone passes away, their estate is responsible for paying off any debts. The deceased person's assets must first go toward paying... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Consumer Law, Estate Planning and Family Law for North Carolina on
Q: Am I responsible for my wife's CC liability when she passes? South Carolina
W. J. Winterstein Jr.
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W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Jun 19, 2024

You should have no direct legal liability for debts in your wife's name alone, but assuming that you are a beneficiary of her estate, to the extent that there are assets in her name, those estate debts must be paid before you receive any distribution from her estate.

Confer with...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Maryland on
Q: What do you do in Maryland if Trust documents are missing?

My kids are the beneficiaries of a trust set up by their deceased grandfather. It is for their education mainly, with health etc as a secondary goal. We have been using it with no issues but the co-trustee has resigned and the new trustee won't assume the role until they see the trust... View More

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Jun 18, 2024

(1) I assume you asked the co-trustee who resigned if they have a copy of the trust, or when they last saw a copy or who last had it; if not, start there, and then go back in time to the families of each prior trustee, if any, and ask about old paper files still in existence, that might contain a... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for California on
Q: Dad died-no will -one son-how can I get the house in my name.no access to split
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 19, 2024

I understand this is a difficult situation, and I'm sorry for your loss. Here are the key steps you'll likely need to take to get your father's house transferred to your name in California when there is no will:

1. File a Petition for Probate with the Superior Court in the...
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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for California on
Q: Dad died-no will -one son-how can I get the house in my name.no access to split
Julie King
Julie King
answered on Jun 18, 2024

Unless the title to the home is in joint tenancy with your father and you as the joint tenants, there is no way to get the property without filing a Petition in Probate Court. The filing fees alone can be between $400-$500, depending on the county. This is why I tell everyone with real restate or... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Texas on
Q: My mother died in Tx and her executrix, my sister, lives in Ca. I live in Tx. How do we change me to the executor?

Mother's only property is checking and savings account in California and a checking account in Texas. My sister and I are a co-owners of the California account and I'm the principal owner of the Texas account. Total value is under $70,000.

Ronald Lee Baranski Jr
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answered on Jun 18, 2024

I notice you refer to your sister as executrix. Is this based on the writing of the Will or did you go through probate? A Will has no legal effect until it has been deemed to comply with all the laws of the state, typically by going through probate. If your sister was appointed by a probate court... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Estate Planning for Puerto Rico on
Q: What is the best way to leave property and unsegregated land to desired heirs? Are there any processes that do not

require a declaration of heirs? As an example, can the land be donated prior to death? If donation or a Will is processed, will it still require a declaration of heirs process? when is deciding to submit a donation or Will a good idea? Does it make the overall process easier for the heirs? If no... View More

Rafael  Pagan-Colon
Rafael Pagan-Colon
answered on Jun 18, 2024

The most control that you have over leaving real estate property, before death, is by donation; after death, conditional to your having left a will before your passing. If you leave a will, the declaration of heirs will not be necessary. Whether to transfer the property via donation or by way of a... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for California on
Q: Over $80 million dollars is being embezzled by my cousins & the City Probate.

Land Man Attorney needed. Regarding Probate Real Estate Embezzlement of over $80 ML and counting of my deceased father's Probate Oil Companies in Oklahoma. Real Estate in New York, and in Michigan has been stolen with written WILL. And Los Angeles Real Estate in California. My father Roy... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 17, 2024

I'm so sorry to hear about the alleged embezzlement and theft from your father's estate. That sounds like an extremely distressing and complicated legal situation.

Given the high dollar amounts and complex probate issues spanning multiple states, my strongest recommendation would...
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