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My husband, “T” of NY, lent his brother, “J” of MI, $45000 in ‘08. A 10 yr unsecured promissory note was drawn by the atty that settled their parents’ estate. The note was for T’s share. Only J signed. Per the note, J was to pay $2K in interest over 10 yrs plus $1500/yr. In 8/18 the... View More 
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answered on Nov 12, 2023
Handling a promissory note in a small estate is indeed different from transferring a title for a vehicle. The note, especially with an outstanding balance, is considered an asset of the estate and should be included. Since your late husband was owed the balance at the time of his passing, this debt... View More
medicaid for doctors. I own a Mobile Home in Calverton Meadows, when I pass will Social Security take my home for repayment? I have 2 daughters who help me (alot) and I hoped to leave it to them to sell when I pass. Thank you for any advice you give me. I only have a handwritten will , I live... View More
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answered on Nov 8, 2023
Social Security itself does not typically take assets for repayment, but Medicaid can seek recovery from the estate of a deceased beneficiary under certain circumstances. Whether your mobile home would be subject to such recovery can depend on the state's Medicaid rules and the specifics of... View More
Though my father was estranged from me and my other siblings, we did talk from time to time. My half brother knew of my existence but never told me of my fathers passing. If there is no will, will my siblings, my fathers other children, be entitled to any of his assets? Or do the assets... View More
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answered on Nov 4, 2023
It is not necessarily too late to inquire about your father's estate. In cases where there is no will, the laws of intestacy apply, which in Puerto Rico, as well as many jurisdictions, typically distribute assets among a decedent's children, regardless of marital status or legitimacy. You... View More
My husband is a lawyer but he is British and is not qualified to practice in NYC, but he has written all the instructions after having met with this lady. It is a fairly simple Will (she doesn't have property - just cash) and she knows what she wants but her health is getting worse by the... View More
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answered on Nov 4, 2023
Yes, there are attorneys who can accommodate urgent situations by drafting a will quickly, and many will make house visits or arrange virtual meetings via Zoom or other video call platforms, especially for clients with health concerns. You should reach out to local estate planning attorneys or... View More
I signed a retainer agreement to settle my father's estate. The estate consisted of a house and a small life insurance policy that was turned over to Nys unclaimed fund. The retainer agreement stated that it included assistance in asset collection and transfer of real property. The day that... View More
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answered on Nov 4, 2023
If you believe your attorney is charging you twice for the same service, it is important to address this concern directly. Review the initial retainer agreement closely to understand the scope of services included, particularly regarding asset collection and real estate transactions. If the... View More
"in determining the amounts of principal to be so distributed, the trustee shall not take into consideration any capital resources which my wife may have"
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answered on Nov 4, 2023
This statement suggests that when the trustee is deciding how much principal from the trust to distribute, they should not consider any other assets or financial resources that your wife possesses. Essentially, the trust distributions to your wife should be based on the terms of the trust itself,... View More
The will was created while I was a minor and never updated. I am an adult now. In the will, personal representatives are named. Only one is still present. In filing documents with the court, I was told that I am unable to receive the paperwork needed because of these representatives being named.... View More
answered on Nov 1, 2023
You will definitely need a lawyer on this one. It's a complex NY Probate matter. What are the assets of the estate? Makes me very sad that people didn't do a Trust instead of a will. Also, you could have filed for ADMINISTRAITON without a will and avoided all the headache alltogether... View More
I live in New York, and I can't start building in P.R, until I'm able to claim 1/4 of the property that belongs to my grandmother's cousin. Last, I know that cousin passed away in 1999.
answered on Oct 11, 2023
I suggest that you look for a lawyer licensed in Puerto Rico and New York. Inheritance law as well as property law is local.
It's paid for and I pay the taxes.. Please advise, in detail. Thank you.
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answered on Sep 22, 2023
In most cases in New York City, if you own a house, you also own the land it's on, known as "fee simple" ownership. However, there are exceptions, like land leases in some co-op buildings, where you might not own the land. If you're paying property taxes and have a standard... View More
When my mother died in 2019, I unwittingly inherited a $100K Wells Fargo home equity loan from 2011 that it's my understanding was never paid back, either by her or by my late father. She had been claiming to pay off the loan using my SSI funds, and only in 2022 did I find out that was not... View More
answered on Sep 19, 2023
While an estate can owe funds for debt of a decedent which can be deducted from the distribution of their assets, you would not be liable on a loan you did not sign (in other words, you cannot “inherit” a loan). You can, however, inherit real estate and that real estate may be encumbered by a... View More
also died and before that his brother was appointed his guardian as he had dementia. Am I entitled to this money or should it go to my sister’s husband’s family? This happened in New York City.
answered on Sep 19, 2023
The term "left" is ambiguous. If the mutual fund had someone as the beneficiary and that beneficiary predeceased, the fund reverts to the decedent's estate. If the mutual fund was bequeathed in a will, then the will must be reviewed to determine if someone else specifically gets... View More
There's 2 other siblings
answered on Sep 19, 2023
Check the Surrogate's Court of the county he might have filed his will, typically that of his residency, for a will. If nothing is there, contact the attorneys you are aware he most recently used for legal matters. If that's a dead end, run an advertisement in the local bar association... View More
The house was sold and there is a Will. There is a beneficiary who cannot be found. Letters have been sent and the letters have been returned to the sender. We visited the address and they no longer live there. There is no phone to communicate. Other beneficiaries are concerned that if this... View More
answered on Sep 12, 2023
There is a proceeding to bring where the money can be paid into court for that person, and the others can be paid.
My grandparents passed away and left a Will where all grandchildren are beneficiaries. My grandparents' children are deceased. The house is up for sale. There are six grandchildren, of which one is deceased, but has a living spouse and two children. We are unable to locate them to inform... View More
answered on Sep 9, 2023
Distribution of assets down the lineage to classes of beneficiaries depends upon the specific wording of the Will, which must be reviewed, as a determination of whether the testator's intent was that the estate assets were to pass down the lineage by per stirpes or per capita must be made.... View More
a notarized sworn statement by the witnesses. According to NY Code Section 1406, is the testator also required to sign this Affidavit ?
answered on Sep 4, 2023
No, in NYS the testator does not sign the affidavit, just the Will. The affidavit is meant to serve as a substitute for the court to the live testimony of the witness(es) that the testator signed the Will before them and was of sound mind, etc. The reason for the affidavit is that often it is a... View More
My mom died as well in 2017 and she had filed a lawsuit in 2014 and we had to show proof that she was our mother , so if something were to happen that we take over and what ever she would be receiving the money would be split between us . Sadly she passed and it went dormant for years until my... View More
answered on Sep 3, 2023
I'm sorry for your family's loss. It would probably be better for an attorney who practices in the Probate & Estate Planning areas to offer guidance to you. The question is posted under Civil Litigation, and that's probably why it wasn't picked up. The issues you describe... View More
My daughters grandmother passed supposedly without a will. My daughters grandfather wants my daughter to sign a renunciation of voluntary administration. Is this something she can sign? Would I sign for her? Is this legal? He isnt going through a lawyers office.
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answered on Sep 2, 2023
No. An 8 year old lacks the legal capacity to sign any kind of contract or agreement. A guardian ad litem may need to be appointed in the case and make the decision for her, which might be not to sign.
The trust just consists of one house
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answered on Aug 31, 2023
It is not possible for an attorney to answer your question, without reviewing the trust instrument itself. There are all kinds of trusts and the powers of the trustees vary greatly.
My brother & I inherited a house in Albany County and we need to transfer the title into our names. We have an active payment agreement for taxes with the Albany County Finance Department. Do you know how we go about this?
My mother passed away with a will and I am the only named beneficiary and also the named executor. Her estate was worth less than $30,000 (New York), so I filed for a Small Estate / Voluntary Administration. Two of her assets will be refund checks made payable to just her name (as opposed to... View More
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