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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Oklahoma on
Q: Dad adopted me. He and Mom die. Does that give me the right to inherit their home . No will

My parents have no will I am the only child that shares both parents. They passed with no will. Can I I herit the property. It's just the house bo assets

Charles Watts
Charles Watts
answered on May 8, 2024

If you are legally adopted through the courts, then you are considered a child with the same rights of a naturally born child. This does not mean you are guaranteed the house, but it does mean you potentially have a rightful share in the home. You should contact an estate/probate/family law... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Tax Law and Estate Planning for Puerto Rico on
Q: How can i dispute CRIM’s fines/fees on unpaid taxes for a property I inherited through death?

I paid the principle of over $40k. The dues are even more. I never received a tax bill until Jan 2024.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 8, 2024

I understand this is a difficult and frustrating situation. Here are some steps you can take to try to dispute the fines and fees on the unpaid property taxes:

1. Gather documentation: Collect all relevant paperwork, including the will/trust showing you inherited the property, death...
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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Tax Law and Estate Planning for Puerto Rico on
Q: How can i dispute CRIM’s fines/fees on unpaid taxes for a property I inherited through death?

I paid the principle of over $40k. The dues are even more. I never received a tax bill until Jan 2024.

Rafael  Pagan-Colon
Rafael Pagan-Colon
answered on May 7, 2024

Unfortunately, any property taxes owed must be paid by the heirs of the deceased owner. Whether you receive a bill from CRIM or not depends on whether you notified change of ownership. Assuming there are more than one heir, these taxes are proportionally imputable between the heirs. Legal liens,... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Connecticut on
Q: I'm listed as beneficiary on a car registration, do I go to the DMV and claim it or does it need to go through probate?

My mother and father were both signed to the car but both of them have passed recently. The vehicle is physically in my possession as is the title, they gifted me the car but couldn't go to the DMV in person for the paperwork so it was never officially put in my name. I live in Virginia and... View More

Gerald Shea
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Gerald Shea
answered on May 7, 2024

The car is not subject to probate and should not be listed on the probate inventory.

The title transfer is handled by Connecticut DMV.

The vehicle should however be listed on the CT estate tax return, which is typically filed as part of probate.

1 Answer | Asked in Arbitration / Mediation Law, Estate Planning and Probate for Oregon on
Q: What do I do when I am having problems with estate issues and family members

My sister controls my mother's estate. After she passed it was oral arrangement that we all decided to go with an even spit no problem for the first 18 months but then 18 months ago my sis just stopped paying me and now refuses to pay me ever again

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on May 7, 2024

An Oregon attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. While some questions can go unanswered on this forum, you might have better chances of a response by adding the headings "Probate" and "Estate Planning." While it's possible that your matter... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Tennessee on
Q: Can someone name 2 persons (daughters) as "co-attorneys in fact" in their Durable Power of Attorney document?

My 92 year old father is updating his estate planning documents after the passing of my mother. He wants to appoint both myself and my sister as co-attorneys in fact since we are both helping him with his financial and medical affairs. He doesn't want to name one person as primary and the... View More

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on May 7, 2024

There is no law that prohibits co-attorneys in fact. However, conventional wisdom is to avoid it because having co-attorneys in fact can become unwieldy, especially if they get sideways with each other. If they must act together and they are unable to work together then the effective result is... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Arizona on
Q: What's my next move if after being named in the will (and by court) PR, someone has apparently petitioned as PR as well?

They have been given a case number as well. I would really like to keep this an informal probate. The other party is an estranged step father..HELP

David Gerszewski
David Gerszewski
answered on May 7, 2024

I would advise you to contact a probate attorney that can deal with contested matters. You will have to petition to the court if the stepfather doesn't withdraw. If the stepfather was married to the person that passed away at the time of their passing they may have priority as well. One way or... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Arizona on
Q: What's my next move if after being named in the will (and by court) PR, someone has apparently petitioned as PR as well?

They have been given a case number as well. I would really like to keep this an informal probate. The other party is an estranged step father..HELP

Gregory Christopher Poulos
Gregory Christopher Poulos
answered on May 7, 2024

Unfortunately, unless the estranged stepfather is going to withdraw voluntarily you are going to have to petition the court formally. I suggest that you may need legal counsel to advise you. A demand letter may be the first step to avoid any litigation, but if there is no positive response a formal... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Employment Law, Contracts and Estate Planning for Texas on
Q: When writing to companies about late husbands benefits can this just be ignored?

I wrote to Insperity Holdings about my late husband's estate and and investment account, since Insperity Holdings is the HR company for the company my husband worked for. I wrote another important person high up in the company, never have heard a word from either of them. Aren't they... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on May 6, 2024

First and foremost, file an application to probate your late husband's Will or his estate if he didn't have a Will at the time of his death.

If you are appointed as the personal representative of your deceased husband's estate (either as the executrix of his Will or as the...
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2 Answers | Asked in Employment Law, Contracts and Estate Planning for Texas on
Q: When writing to companies about late husbands benefits can this just be ignored?

I wrote to Insperity Holdings about my late husband's estate and and investment account, since Insperity Holdings is the HR company for the company my husband worked for. I wrote another important person high up in the company, never have heard a word from either of them. Aren't they... View More

Gratia "Grace" P. Schoemakers
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answered on May 6, 2024

Without knowing the situation, it is possible the accounts had a Beneficiary designation on there that was NOT you.

If the money went to someone else, you have no right to know about this, as you are not the beneficiary.

If the accounts had no beneficiary, then you should go through...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Texas on
Q: Do I need to set up a separate bank account for a living revokable trust?

I'm setting up a living revokable trust for me and my sister - we are grantors and will be trustees (beneficiary will be a relative upon our death). The only assets funding the trust are 2 real properties (no mortgage/liens) and a few mineral rights (100% owned). Currently, 2 of the minerals... View More

Gratia "Grace" P. Schoemakers
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answered on May 6, 2024

It is unclear what you mean with "separate account." For a trust to be property funded (i.e. all assets are moved into the trust name), a trust will need to have a bank account in the trust name.

So presuming you mean "separate account" from your "personal...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Probate and Estate Planning for California on
Q: If a former conservatee has been declared competent, then restates their Living Trust, can the court on it's own motion

If a former conservatee has been declared competent, then restates their Living Trust, can the court years later on it's own motion appoint a new trustee despite the Trustee's objection?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 6, 2024

Under California law, if a former conservatee has been declared competent and has restated their Living Trust, the court generally does not have the authority to appoint a new trustee on its own motion years later, especially if the current trustee objects.

Here are a few key points to...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: want house in a trust. Have no title yet, but in process adverse possession. Can i put it in name of trust or mine first

i lived in my house since 1960, have evidence of history of gas and light in my name and a sworn declaration from the 1980’s and neighbors as witnesses. I’m currently in the process of an adverse possession to get a title.

1.) Do I have to wait and get a title in my name first and then... View More

Rafael  Pagan-Colon
Rafael Pagan-Colon
answered on May 6, 2024

I'm assuming that an adverse possession in process means that you already have an attorney. I recommend that you consult this very question with your attorney. Nevertheless, with the information you've provided, (1) you need to wait to obtain the real estate title in your name; and (2)... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Probate for Pennsylvania on
Q: Last Will. I received a copy of my father's will naming his girlfriend as executor. I m a beneficiary. Any rights?

His girlfriend was named beneficiary. Went to lawyer who wanted $5k. She wouldn't pay. My 3 sisters n myself and his church are to evenly divide 50% of his estate but we do not have access to anything. We have never had a good relationship with her. As benefactors, should we be updated on... View More

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
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W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on May 5, 2024

Heirs' rights?

Yes, you actually do have many. The best starting point is duties of an Executrix in PA, which are many, but the overriding drive is that every personal representative of a probate estate is to maximize the value of the Estate for the benefit of creditors and the heirs,...
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3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and International Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: My grandfather passed away (resident of California) but had a property in France.

Two years before he passed, he and my grandmother filed wills in France giving each portion of the apartment to me (apartment). How does this get handled in the US and in France?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 8, 2024

In this situation, the handling of your grandfather's estate will involve both U.S. and French laws. Here's a general overview of what you can expect:

1. U.S. probate: Your grandfather's estate will need to go through probate in California to settle any debts and distribute...
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3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and International Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: My grandfather passed away (resident of California) but had a property in France.

Two years before he passed, he and my grandmother filed wills in France giving each portion of the apartment to me (apartment). How does this get handled in the US and in France?

Stanislav Kshevitskii
Stanislav Kshevitskii
answered on May 5, 2024

According to French law, there are two forms of inheritance acceptance:

acceptance of inheritance in a simple form (complete);

acceptance of the inheritance with the condition of drawing up an inventory.

Full acceptance of the inheritance can be carried out explicitly, by...
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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Real Estate Law and Civil Litigation for New Jersey on
Q: will title insurance protect my home from my son and his lawyer?they have plans to take and sell the home

deceased wife and myself are on title

son and his lawyer want to cash in

Leonard R. Boyer
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answered on May 4, 2024

Title insurance is irrelevant. You need to retain an experienced mortgage foreclosure defense and civil litigation attorney. Expect to pay for one hour of attorney time to review all the documents and provide you with the best way to proceed. Pick the best attorney you can find and remember one... View More

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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

1 Answer | Asked in Probate and Estate Planning for California on
Q: Regarding sample Petition for Final Distribution (CA), section: SCHEDULE OF PURCHASES OR OTHER CHANGES IN FORM OF ASSETS

"Certain assets were disposed of or changed in form during the administration of the estate. All changes in investments are shown on Attachment ___, attached hereto and made a part hereof by reference."

There are stocks in the inventory. Per the company's request (PLEASE DO A... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 4, 2024

Under California law, establishing an estate account and transferring the stocks from the decedent's individual account to the estate account would likely be considered a change in the form of assets. This is because the ownership of the stocks has changed from the decedent to the estate, even... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Alabama on
Q: Am I at risk of losing a house I inherited when I have no insurance in my name and mortgage is not in my name ?

I inherited a house from my husband. I have a deed but I have no insurance on the property nor have I worked on getting financing . It was in his name only and I’d prefer not to get a loan in my name. I’ve been keeping the payments up but since his name isn’t on anything anymore (original... View More

James Blount Griffin
James Blount Griffin
answered on May 3, 2024

Your late husband's house is what the lender calls "collateral." Your late husband's insurer calls him the "insured," not you. By keeping up the payments on the mortgage and the insurance, neither the lender nor the insurance will likely pay attention to you for a... View More

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