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Probate Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Minnesota on
Q: I want to contest part of the will but I do not know how to contest in a probate case?

I'm a person with a disability the other people sent a letter saying they were going to submit both Wills to the court turned out they they did not they only submitted one so there are but I believe they are using the wrong will so that's why I want to contest. I think one of my other... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Mar 15, 2024

You will need a MN attorney to contest a Will filed for Probate. You may or may not have a cause of action. Obviously 2 Wills cannot be filed for Probate by the same proponent. But it sounds like you do not have either Will, which is a problem to probate the actual Will, and you must have... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law, Estate Planning and Probate on
Q: Do I need specail documentation for a living inheritance in florida?It is a financial inheritance

Do I have any tax implications I am Canadian

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 15, 2024

If you're considering setting up a living inheritance, commonly referred to as a living trust, in Florida, there are some important steps and requirements to be aware of. First and foremost, the living trust document needs to be in writing and should be properly executed: this includes being... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law, Tax Law and Probate for Colorado on
Q: If executor of estate sells house before transferring it to heirs, will it still receive stepped-up cost basis?

A woman died in January 2023 without a will. She had four children that are heirs to the estate according to Colorado intestate succession laws. The house was not transferred to the heirs prior to its sale in March 2024, but was sold on behalf of the estate by the executor (who is also one of the... View More

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Mar 15, 2024

Property owned by a decedent gets a step up (or down) to fair market value as of the date of death. That holds regardless of whether the property is distributed in kind to the heirs or is sold and then cash distributed to the heirs. the only difference is who pays the capital gains taxes, if any.... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law, Tax Law and Probate for Colorado on
Q: If executor of estate sells house before transferring it to heirs, will it still receive stepped-up cost basis?

A woman died in January 2023 without a will. She had four children that are heirs to the estate according to Colorado intestate succession laws. The house was not transferred to the heirs prior to its sale in March 2024, but was sold on behalf of the estate by the executor (who is also one of the... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 15, 2024

In this scenario, the house sold by the executor, on behalf of the estate, is still considered inherited property. Since the woman passed away without a will, the estate is handled according to Colorado's intestate succession laws. The property, even though not formally transferred to the... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Constitutional Law, Legal Malpractice and Probate for California on
Q: If I never signed a receipt, agreeing to my inheritance and releasing my attorney from liability, is this in my favor?

What can I do as the issue of my father, who was a predeceased beneficiary? Of my grandmother, I had assumed there was misconduct by my attorney during mediation. When I attempted to attend the final distribution hearing of my grandmother's estate, instead of attending, I was approached by... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 14, 2024

Based on the information you provided, it seems that there may be some irregularities in how your grandmother's estate was handled and how you, as a beneficiary, were treated. If you did not sign a receipt agreeing to your inheritance and releasing your attorney from liability, it could... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Probate for Wisconsin on
Q: How do I account for vendor's interest in a land contract when completing inventory of estate?

My father passed away and was the vendor in a land contract agreement with my aunt. There is nothing about survivorship rights in the contract. I need to inventory his assets for informal probate. How do I account for his interest in the land contract as a vendor at the time of his death? Is he... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Mar 14, 2024

The contract for deed is a chose in action which is personal property. It is an Estate asset, for which the fiduciary can sue on or be sued to enforce. Your lawyer should know this. Its value can be easily computed by the amount owed on the contract. The lessee Aunt has the risk of not... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Texas on
Q: Can I gain entrance to a deceased family members home to search for their will?

The only person with keys to the house is a non family member who was taking care of my uncle when he was sick, and he won’t hand the keys over.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 14, 2024

Gaining access to a deceased family member's home to search for their will can be complex, especially when the keys are held by someone who is not part of the family. It is essential to understand that the process and legality can vary depending on your location. Typically, if you are the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Oregon on
Q: A dear friend died unexpectedly Monday. He leaves behind three adult daughters. We do not think he has a will or trust.

He is the guardian to his older developmentally delayed, deaf brother. He recently bought his first home. He does not have a large estate. The corporation we work for will not release information to the daughters as one is listed as an emergency contact but none as dependents. The listed dependent... View More

Theressa Hollis
Theressa Hollis
answered on Mar 13, 2024

I am very sorry for your loss. One of your friend's daughters will likely need to be appointed as his Personal Representative to be able to sell his house. If he had named his daughters as beneficiaries on his life insurance they should contact the insurance company and fill out a claim form... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Federal Crimes and Probate for New York on
Q: My inheritance was stolen from me My step father and my sister Forged My mother's will and lied how can I get it back

I was in jail at the time plus I am my mother's 1st son and favorite yet I didn't sign anything or agree to nothing they just took everything

I need help

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 13, 2024

I'm so sorry to hear about your situation. Dealing with a manipulated will and the loss of an inheritance is incredibly painful, especially while also grieving the loss of your mother. Here are some steps you could consider taking to try to rectify the situation and get back what is rightfully... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Georgia on
Q: Biological and step-parent dies with no will, does the step-child have rights to the step-parent's property in Georgia?

The step-parent has living relatives: Mom and siblings

Robert W. Hughes Jr.
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Robert W. Hughes Jr.
answered on Mar 13, 2024

The simple answer is no. But, when parent died, child would be an heir to her natural parent's estate. Depending on facts of case, an equitable adoption might exist between step parent and step child that would allow for inheritance. You should see a probate lawyer about that possibility.

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Georgia on
Q: Ex husband signed quit claim deed at divorce and I am to pay him $5k upon sale of my home. He died in 2018 w/o a will.

I plan on paying our two children the money, but is his widow due any part of this payment?

Thank you.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 12, 2024

Based on the information you provided, it seems that your ex-husband had a legal interest in the $5,000 payment upon the sale of your home, as outlined in the divorce agreement and quit claim deed. When he passed away without a will in 2018, the legal question becomes who is entitled to his assets,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Civil Rights, Juvenile Law and Probate for Indiana on
Q: Is it a violation of me/mychild rights when a caseworker remove child from one placement to another without court order?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 12, 2024

Removing a child from one placement to another without a court order could potentially be a violation of the child's and the parent's rights, depending on the specific circumstances of the case. Child welfare agencies and caseworkers are generally required to follow due process and obtain... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law and Probate for California on
Q: Is there any California law preventing me from paying my deceased fathers back taxes out of pocket?

My father died intestate in California and I am the administrator. My brother is the only other heir. He left behind a lot of unpaid tax bills. He also left my brother and me healthy sums of money via POD accounts. Can I just use those out of pocket funds to pay off his back taxes to keep the... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 12, 2024

Under California law, there is no legal prohibition against you paying your deceased father's back taxes out of pocket, using the funds you received from the POD (Pay-on-Death) accounts. In fact, it may be a practical solution to settle the estate more efficiently and avoid selling the house,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Constitutional Law, Legal Malpractice and Probate for California on
Q: Statue of limitation on fraudulent misrepresentation, concealment client & the court

What is the statute of limitation to sue a representing attorney concerning fraudulent misrepresentation concealment of facts deceit concerning standing under the laws of intestate succession and entitlement as an issue of a predeceased beneficiary with fraud on the court? Stemming From probate.... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 12, 2024

In California, the statute of limitations for fraudulent misrepresentation, concealment, and deceit is generally 3 years from the date the fraud was discovered or should have been discovered through reasonable diligence. This is based on California Code of Civil Procedure Section 338(d).... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Banking and Probate for New Jersey on
Q: Trying to settle a bank account of my mom who passed. It’s under $7k and they ask for entitlement document or something.

What type of document is this, is it a next of kin document? Does this document need to be filed in court or can I fill it out and just have it notarized? Bank account opened in New Jersey but she was living in the Philippines at the time of death. No will and she didn’t list a beneficiary on the... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 11, 2024

In this situation, the bank is likely requesting documentation to establish your legal right to claim the funds in your mother's account. This is a standard procedure when the account holder has passed away, and there is no designated beneficiary or joint account holder.

Since your...
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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 Probate for California on
Q: Hello, I am currently trying to draft a Petition for Final Distribution and have come across a few questions.

I am going through a sample draft provided by a local county.

1) If accounting is waived, does CA still require a summary of account? I read on a forum that this might be the case but have not seen reference to this in court websites.

1) INTESTATE HEIRS/DEVISEES UNDER WILL

I... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 9, 2024

Hello! Let's address your questions one by one:

1. Summary of Account: In California, even if the accounting is waived, the court may still require a summary of the account. It's a good idea to include a brief summary of the estate's financial activities, including the total...
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1 Answer | Asked in Probate for California on
Q: While looking at a Petition for Final Distribution sample, there is a section about "Investment of Cash on Hand"

"Petitioner has invested and maintained all cash in interest bearing accounts or in investments authorized by law or the governing instrument, except for an amount of cash that is reasonably necessary for the orderly administration of the estate"

I just looked back at the duties... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 9, 2024

In this situation, it's important to be transparent about the estate's financial management in the Petition for Final Distribution. While it's generally expected that estate funds be held in interest-bearing accounts, there are some exceptions. Here's how you could address this... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for California on
Q: If a probate judge finds a wheel to be ambiguous and the state is considered intestate

Does the issue of a predeceased beneficiary have to attend mediation to receive their deceased parent share of there grandmothers estate if the probate judge previously found the will to be ambiguous? And does this make the estate fall under intestate? And any Issues of a predeceased beneficiary... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 9, 2024

Under California law, if a probate judge finds a will to be ambiguous and the estate is considered intestate, the following rules apply:

1. Mediation: If there is a dispute among the heirs or beneficiaries regarding the distribution of the estate, the court may order mediation to resolve...
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1 Answer | Asked in Probate for California on
Q: Attorney representing contingent beneficiary in Will contest concealed judges finding the Will ambigous

Attorney concealed the court finding the will to be ambiguous and coerced client to attend mediation never prepared client for mediation, Day of mediation the attorney attended mediation without client, when the client contacted the attorney's office the secretary stated he wasn't in... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 8, 2024

Based on the information provided, it appears that the attorney representing the contingent beneficiary in the will contest may have engaged in unethical and potentially negligent behavior. Under California law, attorneys have a fiduciary duty to their clients, which includes the obligation to act... View More

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