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Our mother passed away in Oregon in 2019 and used her power of testamentary in her will to create a new trust for her grandkids from money in her other trusts. It never went through probate as far as I know. Looking online now, it seems to me like maybe it was supposed to go through probate because... View More 
answered on Dec 4, 2023
Yes, usually you must probate a Will in order to implement a testamentary trust, however, you bring up several facts that could change this answer (mom's other trusts and the fact that mom died four years ago). I recommend you consult with an experienced probate attorney who can help you sort... View More
Can I ask him for a list?
answered on Oct 22, 2024
Did your mother pass away or did she hire a probate attorney? Were the expenses incurred by the attorney or someone else? More information is needed before your question can be accurately answered.
Mom passed last year. I am the trustee, and need to do repairs to the house, prior to its sale, for a buyer to qualify for a mortgage. I need to get a loan, and lender wants my name on the deed. My brother is a beneficiary, so the house needs to stay in the trust. I need to know what wording to use... View More
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answered on Aug 19, 2024
You must hire an OR to draft that Deed.
The estate will goes to our father who is still alive. He is going to disclaim because my older sister is requesting he do so, because they were estranged. Once he signs the doc, the estate will go to she and I. She is a full sibling with a life long relationship. I have known him since 2010.... View More
answered on May 25, 2024
Your sister cannot change where your brother’s estate goes if your father disclaims. Also, you have an equal right to be the personal representative if your father has disclaimed.
I want to make sure my sibling is able to take care of everything if I die/have access to my money/accounts. and knows my wishes. And with as little trouble as possible.
answered on May 7, 2024
If you do not want to hire an estate planning attorney (which is my recommendation) you could use the Will form at Stevens Ness Legal Forms.
Will puting the money into a first person special needs trust keep me from losing my government benefits? I'm being told yes I'm being told no and I don't know what to think but I'm running out of time. Any assistance is greatly appreciated.
answered on Mar 4, 2024
A Special Needs Trust might be helpful in your circumstance but you have to be very careful when it comes to the rules pertaining to Section 8 housing. I understand that some rules just changed Jan. 1st. I recommend you consult with an experienced attorney.
They were initially planning to buy out the other beneficiaries and build on the property for themselves. But they didn’t, still live there and haven’t placed the 30 acres and house for sale two years after the trust has come to complete maturity. So they just have the property, do whatever... View More
answered on Jan 8, 2024
If you are a beneficiary of this Trust and are supposed to receive a portion of this property I recommend you hire an attorney to assist you.
What are my rights to the home after the 30 days? All of his estate goes to her, do I have to allow them more time past 30 days to settle his estate and to move their things? She is incapacitated so the family is working on getting governorship, etc. I'm guessing this could take longer than 30... View More
answered on Nov 29, 2023
I think you need to consult with a landlord/tenant attorney to answer your questions. If it is necessary to get Guardianship over your stepfather's wife then it's possible that process could take more than 30 days.
answered on Oct 18, 2023
Yes, a devisee in a Will can also be named as the Personal Representative (Oregon's term for Executor). That same person can even be one of the two witnesses to the Will. In general, it is best for an attorney to draft and supervise the signing of the Will so that the attorney could testify... View More
Dad's wife's will leaves everything to my dad but if he's also deceased then her 3 sons each get 25% of the estate. Does his will supersede his wife's or does he have to follow her will?
answered on Oct 17, 2023
The answer to your question depends on how the home in Oregon is titled. If the Deed shows both of their names as "husband and wife" or "tenants by the entirety" then the house belongs to your father and he has full authority to sell it and keep the proceeds. If it... View More
The heirs are just us two daughters. I found out my younger sister has been stealing assets and has liquidated 3 bank accounts and has every intention of selling everything and keeping all of the money and not probating the estate that includes 2 homes and collectibles and cash. How do I stop her... View More
answered on Sep 19, 2023
From the fact pattern that you have described, it does appear that you are entitled to a portion of the estate. If your sister distributes the entire estate to herself, she will be violating intestacy laws and her responsibilities as personal representative if she has been so named. However,... View More
He was paid monthly on a contract with a client that he had negotiated with. When I didn't receive his monthly check, I called and the company told me that they stopped paying him upon his death even though they had received payments from his customer. Are they able to just stop paying upon... View More
answered on Sep 8, 2023
I'm very sorry for your loss. Your instinct to view the contract is a good one. I can't imagine that their "internal decision" will control what happens with the remainder of the contract payments. You may need to file a probate to collect the remainder of the contract. I... View More
The only thing separate is her IRA. We had a will made over 30 years ago.
answered on Aug 29, 2023
The answer to the question of whether or not your wife's estate needs to go through probate depends on which assets she left behind. If the only assets that she left behind are the joint bank accounts and an IRA, then you may not need to go through probate. This is if the bank accounts list... View More
answered on Aug 22, 2023
Generally speaking, it does not. The deed for real property generally takes preference over any estate planning document in place, such as a will or a trust. For the property which had a joint tenancy, both of the individuals listed would be co-owners. However, if another property had just one... View More
The personal representative filed small estate with out including the will, is with holding my inheritance and won't communicate with me or release property left to me.
answered on Aug 7, 2023
You should be able to file the Will with an Amended Small Estate Affidavit. I recommend you hire a probate attorney to assist you with this.
He has been telling me her estate is not settled but I had an investigator find the affadavit where he didn't disclose me as an heir. He has been lying to me and took everything. I am going to hospice and have large medical bills I told him I needed help How do I get my portion of my... View More
answered on Jul 7, 2023
I'm sorry to hear you are having to deal with so much. Is it possible that your mother had signed a Will? Even if the answer is "Yes" you should have been included on the Small Estate Affidavit and received a copy of it in the mail from your brother. I recommend you hire a probate... View More
My father who lives in Oregon, said he has set up his trust gifting me his house and property through a life estate. I live in another state, and have to interest in receiving the home. Can I refuse?
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answered on Jul 3, 2023
You can disclaim a conveyance. A recorded disclaimer in the property's County will work. But you might want to read the Trust first as it might have other provisions. Also your Father might amend or revoke the Trust. You need to wait until the Life Estate vests before disclaiming it.... View More
My sister and I live with mom and we are all on disability. I don't know what all we need to do for all of this and we can't afford and attorney. We need property taxes to keep from going into foreclosure. Any help will be appreciated.
answered on Jun 30, 2023
Go to this website and follow the steps to help your mother defer her Oregon property taxes:
https://www.oregon.gov/dor/programs/property/pages/senior-and-disabled-property-tax-deferral-program.aspx
If your mother lives in Multnomah County she may be eligible for free legal... View More
We think the trustee has just taken reserve funds for himself. For example attorney reserve the courts allowed be held. The trustee refuses to send us bank statements for the trust accounts so that we can verify the funds that are supposed to be there are still there. Says he doesn't have to,... View More
answered on Jun 26, 2023
You are correct. The trustee must account for how all of the trust monies are spent. I recommend contacting the trustee's attorney instead of the trustee directly.
You are also correct that it's the Court case that is closed, not the trust. The trust is not terminated until all... View More
He wants to add me to the house title or deed and give it to me through a trust. He owes @$20,000 in property taxes and $60,000 on the mortgage. I believe he has a revocable trust now that needs only to be amended. However, we are unsure about possible issues that may arise due to the deferred... View More
answered on Jun 20, 2023
I recommend that your father return to his estate planning attorney to discuss the pros and cons of adding someone to the title of his house. With few exceptions, at his death the mortgage will very likely need to be paid off and the property taxes will need to be paid. If the mortgage company... View More
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