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Missouri Estate Planning Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and International Law for Missouri on
Q: I am moving abroad Indefinitely. What should I do to protect my land holdings?

I am moving in a few weeks.

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Oct 17, 2024

I would recommend hiring a very competent attorney that you trust to pay taxes and maintain the properties. Do not hire a crook. It may be advisable to hire two people. You will also need someone else such as a relative to check on the properties and report back to you. Estate Planning may... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Missouri on
Q: I would like to add a name to a deed. How can this be done with a POA

Property belongs to an elder person and they would like to add a name.

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Jul 18, 2024

Hire a MO attorney to talk to the owner and see what they want to do. The deed can be of many different estates. It is not simple and must be correct to actually transfer an enforceable interest, which will be contested at the grantor's death.

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Missouri on
Q: what rights does the co exec of a trust have if the executor of the trust is not sharing information?

mother recently passed and left home to 4 siblings and executor is not sharing any info on insurance

Osama Khalil
Osama Khalil
answered on Apr 17, 2024

If one co-executor of a trust isn't sharing information, the other co-executor still has rights to access that information. In this case, if the executor isn't sharing details about insurance on a home left to four siblings after their mother's passing, the other co-executor can... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Missouri on
Q: If I have a will when I pass away, will my beneficiaries have to go to probate court?

Also, the difference between beneficiary and TOD?

Kelisen  Binder
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Kelisen Binder
answered on Apr 5, 2024

In Missouri, having a will does not allow your heirs to avoid probate court. However, there are strategies to minimize the probate process or bypass it altogether for certain assets. Here are some considerations specific to Missouri:

Small Estate Affidavit: Missouri offers a simplified...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Probate and Real Estate Law for Missouri on
Q: My mother passed away & we were co signers on our home. Family member got POA on mom n sold our home. What can I do?

My mother & I co-signed to buy our home 7 yrs ago. My mother went into a home. Family member got POA on my mom, wrongfully 4 day evicted (not court ordered) me and disabled adult brother. They sold our home and 3 months later I found papers on agreement with my signature under my mom's on... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 9, 2024

I'm so sorry for the loss of your mother and the incredibly difficult situation you're in with your family member and home. Losing your mother is heartbreaking enough, let alone having a relative use a power of attorney to evict you and sell the house out from under you with no notice.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Missouri on
Q: I co owned property in Missouri with another person with rights of survivorship the other co owner died recently

He was living on the property when he died what are my legal rights concerning any personally belongs left on the property (clothes furniture tool ECT.)

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 23, 2024

In a situation where you co-owned property in Missouri with another person with rights of survivorship, and the other co-owner has recently passed away, your legal rights concerning any personal belongings left on the property may depend on various factors. If there was a will outlining the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Missouri on
Q: I am a beneficiary of an Irrevocable Trust in Missouri and have a question I need help with.

In the Trust document the Grantor lists a real estate property with the title shown under the name of her single owner LLC, with the intention that real estate property, on her death, would be inherited by me and my brother, who is now Successor Trustee. Title was, and to date, has never changed... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Feb 20, 2024

Hire a competent MO attorney to search the title and draft the deed out of the LLC. He will have to abide by MO LLC Statutes and probably have all successors in interest of the LLC convey as grantors as well as the Successor Trustee, which must have precise language to be enforceable. Make sure... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Probate and Social Security for Missouri on
Q: My mother is receiving inheritance from her father after he passed away, but she is on SSI in Missouri

We are trying to figure out how she can get her inheritance without being kicked off of her SSI. Will it have to be in a trust? Or could someone be able to take over handling the money for her and give it out to her when she needs it?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 30, 2024

It's important to consider the impact of receiving an inheritance on your mother's SSI benefits in Missouri. In general, receiving an inheritance can affect her eligibility for SSI because it can be considered as income or a resource.

One option to protect her SSI eligibility is...
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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Missouri on
Q: My mother was to recieve court ordered restitution. My mother passed away before she rcd payment. Can I collect the $?

I am her only living child. She was not married. I posses a notarized last will and Test. And a DPOA

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 30, 2024

In situations where a person was owed court-ordered restitution and passes away before receiving it, the right to collect the restitution typically passes to their estate. As the only living child and with a notarized last will and testament, you likely have a claim to this restitution as part of... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Missouri on
Q: My mother was to recieve court ordered restitution. My mother passed away before she rcd payment. Can I collect the $?

I am her only living child. She was not married. I posses a notarized last will and Test. And a DPOA

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Jan 30, 2024

As the only living child of your mother who was entitled to receive court-ordered restitution, you may have the right to collect this restitution after her passing. Since you possess a notarized last will and testament, along with a Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA), these documents will likely play... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law, Civil Rights and Probate for Missouri on
Q: How can I prove I was the beneficiary?

My cousin took the will and put her name on the account so I would not have access to anything

Kelisen  Binder
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Kelisen Binder
answered on Apr 24, 2024

You should open a probate estate in the county where your loved one died. If a will exists, you can file that will with the Court to inform how the estate should be distributed. Without more information I am unable to give any more specific advice. What account? Who is the deceased?

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Missouri on
Q: I am named as the contingent on my brother's life ins. Policy. Beneficiary named is deceased. Can his wife get payout?

My brother's surviving wife is trying to claim his life insurance policy. He bought this policy before they ever met naming my mother as tye beneficiary and me as contingent. Can she get the payout?

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Feb 14, 2024

Assuming you have the designation of beneficiaries, and can read it, you need a MO attorney to make a formal written demand on that policy now. You will need your Mother's Death Certificate.

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Contracts, Estate Planning and Family Law for Missouri on
Q: I was wondering is there not a cap on how much lawyers can charge for lawyer fee's on class action lawsuits?

My mom passed away in July of 2019 however she had 3 class lawsuits and they are now coming to be settled and I get these closing statements, and the lawyer's fees are up there. Ill just say that. Can lawyers just charge whatever on these cases? Just in case you need to know, I don't... View More

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Nov 17, 2023

For any class-wide settlement, the court must approve the award of attorney's fees and expenses. There is no universal maximum, but one-third of the settlement fund, plus reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses, is common.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Missouri on
Q: My mother.passed away last year and was owed restitution. I am her only living child. Am I entitled to that money?
T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Aug 7, 2023

In many cases, when a person who is owed restitution passes away, their right to receive the restitution payment can pass to their estate or heirs.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Civil Litigation and Probate for Missouri on
Q: What are my rights as a widow?

My husband was set to inherit the house that we live in unfortunately he passed away and now my in-laws are trying to kick me out on the streets with absolutely nothing they also took my car away the one that they gave my husband and I when he was alive. What are my rights? What am I entitled to?

Chad Garrett Mann
Chad Garrett Mann
answered on Jul 20, 2023

First and foremost, I'm so sorry for your loss. Dealing with property and inheritance issues after the death of a spouse can be complex and emotionally taxing. Please note that while I can provide some general guidance on this issue, it's essential to consult with an attorney who can give... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Real Estate Law for Missouri on
Q: My friend died but she owned a home w/her husband & children. The husband is trying to sell the house. Can he do that?

Kids names are on deed as well as the husband. Can he sell the home without the permission from the kids? Her kids are grown adults not minors, does that change the info you have answered?

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Jun 22, 2023

An examination of the present deed, and possibly the title, is needed here. Even if it is a life estate/remainder deed, the surviving husband can still ask a Court to sell the minors' interests. It depends on the deed whether the husband and the kids took the deceased wife's interest,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Missouri on
Q: My Big Brother Todd Passed Away April 8,2023 My Other Brother and I Took Todd off of Life Support! WE All Thought I Was

Beneficiary But We Cannot Find the Paperwork We Do Have a Bank Statement That Puts Me as POD Does That Keep The House out of Probate and How Would I Get it in My Name I Have No Clue

Jennifer Sheila Kornblum
Jennifer Sheila Kornblum
answered on Jun 7, 2023

I am very sorry for your loss. You really need to consult a probate attorney to get the big picture on Todd's estate, particularly since you are unable to locate a will. Generally speaking, the POD account transfers to you automatically. But that has nothing to do with any real estate he... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Missouri on
Q: My mom would like to put our names on the deed to her home. It doesn't have a mortgage as she has paid it completely.

How would I go about starting this process?

Jennifer Sheila Kornblum
Jennifer Sheila Kornblum
answered on Jun 2, 2023

There are a couple of options, depending on your mother's goal in adding you to the title. One option is a Beneficiary Deed, which transfers ownership of the property at your mother's death to the people designated in the deed. If, in the alternative, she wishes to transfer ownership... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Missouri on
Q: 3 real estate properties in Missouri to be sold and divided between me and 2 sisters.

My mother told me she and her husband agreed to pass 3 properties to my 2 sisters and I. My sister was supposed to sell all 3 and divide the money 3 ways. Instead she convinced my mothers widower to give all of them to someone else. I just found out 2 years after his death. Is there anything I can... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on May 23, 2023

At the very minimum, hire a MO attorney to search the three titles and determine present record ownership. If you are an heir, then a suit for a Sale For Partition might be available.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Real Estate Law and Probate for Missouri on
Q: The situation: Bill is going to be declared dead in August. Bill had a child, Mark who passed away in 2019. Mark had a

Son, Zach who is still alive. Bill died in California, we live in missouri.

Bills siblings got a letter from California Inheritance Group claiming Bill had unclaimed assets and they are going to divide it between his siblings. I don’t believe that is correct I believe it should be all... View More

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Apr 30, 2023

First, you do not need to go through California Inheritance Group to claim these funds. You can find it here and make a claim yourself: https://www.sco.ca.gov/upd_msg.html

Under the laws of California, if a person dies unmarried with living descendants and no will, the descendants...
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