all the car payments, and we are both on the loan. My boyfriend died a couple years ago, and I now want to put the vehicle in only my name, except motor vehicle requires a copy of the death certificate, which the family will not give me. What recourse do I have to require them to give me a copy of... View More

answered on Sep 6, 2023
You need to meet with an estate planning lawyer to educate you on what steps you need to take to transfer the title to the car into your name alone. While you may have made all of the payments, my concern is whether his estate makes a claim against you for their "share" of the value of... View More
My aunt has power of attorney over my grandfather. He is pretty healthy and of sound mind. She decided that they are selling his house and moving him. Are their ways to stop this?

answered on Jun 12, 2023
So long as your grandfather is still of sound mind, he has the right to change the POA designation. My suggestion is that you and your grandfather schedule a meeting with an experienced estate planning lawyer to discuss the plan to sell his home and whether he wants to change the POA designation to... View More

answered on Jun 1, 2023
There are two set of rules here. First, the rules of the business entity (operating agreement, bylaws, partnership agreement, etc.), and the Florida Laws. The interest in the business entity sometimes has a transfer on-death provision. If the interest in the business passes to a certain beneficiary... View More
My niece whom I haven't had contacts for over 10 years just passed away in New Jersey. She is single and both of her parents are deceased. She has one son 25 years ago when she was an unwed teenager and she gave him to his father to raise. I am not aware if they have any relationship and I... View More

answered on Apr 17, 2023
It sounds like her estate is comprised of debt as opposed to assets and presuming I am correct, not sure how you can take what remains of her assets to pay for her funeral costs while not using that same money for payment of her outstanding secured debts ( ie child support).
While your... View More
I have a deed where the grantor transferred property to grantee for 1$. In the same deed the second sentence is that the grantor conveys a Life Estate to the grantee for his natural life. The grantor later made a will and left the same property to the different person, and no taxes of any type... View More

answered on Apr 11, 2023
You said the grantor conveyed a life estate to the grantee but you probably meant "grantor**." Anyway, provided the earlier deed was recorded (you did not specify - you only said you had it) the grantor's Will matters not because AT MOST he retained a life estate that dies with him,... View More
Asset=House to 2 children, Bank accounts/annuity = to 2 children. What is the process/concerns. Would like to avoid probate. Or should we create a different document?

answered on Mar 9, 2023
Firstly, probate in NJ is very simple and not complicated. I do not suggest irrevocable trusts as life is uncertain. With an irrevocable trust, the grantor (creator of the trust) loses substantial control of the assets. Thus as life's needs changes, the grantor may not be able to change the... View More
Asset=House to 2 children, Bank accounts/annuity = to 2 children. What is the process/concerns. Would like to avoid probate. Or should we create a different document?

answered on Mar 9, 2023
Unless you are willing to give them all your assets now a living trust in NJ doesn't really accomplish avoiding probate in most cases in NJ. They are great outside of NJ, but not in NJ and thus the reason they are rarely used in NJ. Other process's however may accomplish your goals.... View More
Executor/trustee insists he won't give anything until all beneficiaries sign a document which says they agree that the will and trust documents state that the beneficiaries have no right to an accounting. The document also states that they cannot sue for any purpose, even if facts are later... View More

answered on Feb 20, 2023
Are you referring to a release and refunding bond or another document. If a release and refunding bond, you may insist on amending the document so the release excludes waiving any rights against the executor for improper action but the refunding bond should be signed if written in the traditional... View More
The house is located in a 55 and older co-op community in Ocean County NJ. My sister-in-law (who is a 50/50 beneficiary) had until August 10th 2021 as per the bylaws of the co-op to relocate. She has refused to pay anything or leave for 2 years. She is on probation facing new charges and is... View More

answered on Feb 15, 2023
The first issue is that you failed to indicate in which NJ county the property is located. The best solution would be to retain the services of a local attorney who has estate and landlord - tenant experience as there may be other choices in addition to ejectment such as a partition action.

answered on Mar 4, 2023
It is important to be cautious in situations like this. Scammers may try to use inheritance or other financial schemes to trick people into giving them access to their money or personal information. It is important to never give out personal or financial information to someone you do not know and... View More
Parent and Child is on the Deed . Parent dies and left Will with Child as Executor and 100 Beneficiary. Is there any reason the Will would have to be probated ? Doesn’t the survivor assumes 100 percent of the property is Deeded to both?

answered on Nov 25, 2022
There is no way to avoid probate and you will have to have a new deed recorded. Whether or not there is a mortgage may raise additional issues. You really need to have a virtual or in-person consultation with an experienced attorney. Good luck.
In New Jersey: 92 year old mom asking for legal document stating my husband & I (we are both over 55) are NOT RESPONSIBLE for paying ANY of her debt, bills, medical bills, nursing home bills, etc. Nor will we participate in some kind of "Trust" she is setting up. Oldest brother is... View More

answered on Nov 12, 2022
Your mother is 92 years old and your oldest sibling is in charge of her financial affairs and he refuses to answer any of your questions as to the status of her assets and expenses and you are therefore fearful that she will pass leaving debt.
I am guessing that there was a discussion... View More
In New Jersey: 92 year old mom asking for legal document stating my husband & I (we are both over 55) are NOT RESPONSIBLE for paying ANY of her debt, bills, medical bills, nursing home bills, etc. Nor will we participate in some kind of "Trust" she is setting up. Oldest brother is... View More

answered on Nov 12, 2022
You will be responsible for all debts incurred by your mother if you signed as a co-applicant when your mother applied for credit cards. You will also be responsible for all credit extended for which you cosigned. In addition you along with siblings may be responsible for debts incurred if your... View More
My father wants to have my family (my spouse, 2 children and myself move into his home). We would sell our own home. He stated he will be adding my name to the deed. Not sure if it would be sole survivorship. In either situation, what would happen if I passed away? Would my children and spouse get... View More

answered on Nov 12, 2022
The answer to your question depends on the interest that you will be getting in the new deed that your father is preparing. If the deed is a joint tenancy with the right of survivorship, then assuming you survive your father, you will get the entire property. If it is a tenancy in common, then you... View More
we have many credit card companies and debt collectors sending letters of condolance and saying she owed money but it is past the 9 months and we do not have enough funds to pay them all, can we distribute what is left legally to the heirs?

answered on Nov 9, 2022
Debts of the decedent must be paid y the Estate before distribution the the beneficiaries. If any or all of the beneficiaries signed the credit appiication, that person will be personally liable for the debt.
My husband is her only heir. He and I declined to take on any assets (namely her home and car) and we declined to administer the estate. A debtor is now suing for foreclosure and we are receiving endless summonses because we are named as heirs/interested parties. Do we need to answer these summons... View More

answered on Sep 27, 2022
Whether or not you are willing to accept or be responsible for any interest in the state, you have an interest which needs to be addressed in the foreclosure action. You will continue to receive information. If you do nothing, at some pont in time, the plaintiff will seek the entry of a default in... View More
If it is a debt will I become required to pay his debt if I am heir? If not a debt & income how can this effect my tax liability?

answered on Aug 9, 2022
I suggest you setup a consultation with a lawyer. You have more than a simple question here and a lot will depend on who you are in the will. For example are you executor or just a beneficiary. As for tax liability that should be asked to a CPA
The form already filled out. Can I just get two witnesses inside to sign or how would I get something notarized while incarcerated

answered on Aug 5, 2022
Logistics will require coordination with prison/jail security. Generally speaking if one is serious about the execution of a power of attorney or any other estate planning documents, then one ought to seriously retain an attorney to draft and oversee the execution of the instruments.
I live in my moms place in New Jersey and have been for 38 yrs now he’s trying to kick me out since he says he’s power of attorney!! If he isn’t poa can he legally do this to me ? He won’t show me the document that he’s power of attorney either

answered on Jul 13, 2022
Yes, he should show you proof of his authority as deputy under the power of attorney. If your mother is suffering from dementia and has been diagnosed, the power may not be valid if executed when you mother was not considered to be capable of executing legal documents. You should speak to an estate... View More
I live in my moms place in New Jersey and have been for 38 yrs now he’s trying to kick me out since he says he’s power of attorney!! If he isn’t poa can he legally do this to me ? He won’t show me the document that he’s power of attorney either

answered on Jul 13, 2022
Start off with the presumption that your brother cannot evict you.
I presume that you were living in the house with your mother for the past 38 years; during which time, your mother never evicted nor sought to evict you from the home.
I presume also that now that your mom has... View More
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