Get free answers to your Probate legal questions from lawyers in your area.
He has 3 other children who are full siblings to my mother. This is in Brooklyn NY, NYC.
Uncle says life insurance payout is on hold because they need my mother's death certificate.
Uncles not forthcoming with information and seem to be trying to get death certificate without me knowing.
answered on Nov 8, 2024
Sorry to hear about your loss. Generally the first beneficiary would be entitled to the proceeds. Since she died after, it is possible that her estate can make the claim. See if she had a Will. If so, that may dictate what happens to the distribution of the benefits and who would be the personal... View More
Far as I know he had no will. Life insurance policy had no beneficiary and bank accounts totaling 90,000 plus are currently frozen. Is my mother legally owed any of the money. Also there's another policy that has not been claimed. What happens if my mother is named a beneficiary?
We... View More
answered on Oct 27, 2024
When there is no beneficiary named, the account will be paid to the decedent’s estate. If there is no Will, someone must apply to the Surrogate’s Court for Letters of Administration. The priority of who may apply is 1) Spouse, 2) Children, 3) Parents, 4) Siblings. The grating of Letters of... View More
My mother and father bought a house in the late 90's. Because of my fathers credit, he could not be put on the mortgage - nor was he put on the deed. My mother and her mother signed all of the original paperwork, but my mother and father paid the mortgage - and that's how it remains.... View More
answered on Aug 22, 2024
I'm sorry to hear about your situation. Legally, if your father was never on the deed, he doesn't have ownership rights to the house, even if he helped pay the mortgage. Since your mother passed away without her will being probated, your father may have some rights to her share of the... View More
My sister’s home was condemn she had lived with two other people who did elderly abuse on her. They were supposed to have taking care of her but they did not. The house went to hell. My sister died from them not giving her medicines. I live an hour away, was not able to get to the mountains due... View More
answered on Jun 26, 2024
I'm sorry to hear about your sister's situation and the difficult circumstances you're facing. To address your question about securing a condemned home:
1. Generally, the property owner is responsible for securing a condemned property. In this case, that would likely be your... View More
I am my brother’s only living heir.
answered on Apr 2, 2024
The best way is to run a social security search. However, if you were appointed as the fiduciary of his Estate you could contact the IRS and obtain a transcript to see what has been reported in the past, contact the local banks and other financial institutions and review all his records, bank... View More
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
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
can an court appointed admin of an estate pick and choose what to honor in a will/or unofficial will
answered on Mar 4, 2024
An Executor appointed by the Court is a fiduciary of the estate. They are required to follow the directives set forth in the Will which has been validated by the Court. There is no such thing as an unofficial Will. A Will may be contested by non-family members. However, they must demonstrate... View More
can an court appointed admin of an estate pick and choose what to honor in a will/or unofficial will
answered on Apr 2, 2024
The fiduciary must follow the terms of the Will, assuming it is admitted to probate. If someone has standing, even a non-family member, then they can contest the Will. They will have to timely contest the Will, file the appropriate Objections and comport to all Court rules and requirements.... View More
answered on Feb 15, 2024
In New York estate planning and probate, a citation in the context of a will is a legal notice issued by the court. This notice is sent to distributees (potential heirs and other interested parties) to inform them of the probate proceedings and to give them an opportunity to appear in court if they... View More
answered on Jan 13, 2024
I'm sorry for your loss. I hope you are coping with that psychologically.
As for picking up your late mother's vehicle from the dealership, here are a few key things to consider:
- The repair bill is likely still due and must be paid. The dealership provided a service and... View More
answered on Jan 10, 2024
If you mean by probate is complete and a fiduciary has been appointed by the Court, it is up to the fiduciary pursuant to the terms of the Will and applicable laws, if he or she wants to make a partial distribution and if its proper under the circumstances. If it is proper under the facts of your... View More
What action can I take if he won a lawsuit, and I was the person that provided for him when he was alive and also paid all the expenses for his funeral. I called the law firm and was told that yes he won the case however no one will be getting any of the settlement.
answered on Dec 29, 2023
If your cousin, an Army veteran, passed away without a will and won a lawsuit settlement, and you were the primary provider for him during his life and covered the expenses for his funeral, there are legal avenues you can explore. Despite the law firm indicating that no one will receive any of the... View More
My father in law passed without a will 9 years ago in NY. His wife wouldn’t speak to anyone and my husband received nothing despite having property, cash and other assets. Is he entitled to anything and is there anything he can do?
answered on Dec 27, 2023
If your father-in-law died intestate (without a Will) with property that was not jointly held or with no named beneficiaries, it would pass under New York State law. Since there was a spouse and at least one child, those assets would be split between them. Real estate would be a matter of public... View More
The will of my late aunt is in probate. One person on the family tree, a cousin with a criminal record , who is not a beneficiary, will not sign a notarized form so I can get letters testamentary to settle the estate. We have not seen this cousin in 40 years. Can probate proceed without his... View More
answered on Dec 12, 2023
In most courts, you need to obtain jurisdiction over all necessary parties. If a necessary party refuses to sign the Waiver, then you have to serve them with a Citation to appear in court. After the waiver is filed or in this case, a citation is served in an affidavit of services filed. You can... View More
I am completing the Proof of Heirship for a fellow church member and friend. Her deceased aunt is listed as beneficiary on an insurance policy where the policy holder recently died. In my discussions with the niece, along with genealogical research on the family, there are three siblings, all... View More
answered on Dec 12, 2023
If you are not a licensed genealogist, and did not know that the student personally, I do not believe you qualify to sign the affidavit. The attesting person must know the decedent, and have personal knowledge of most of the information if not all. However, genealogist can prepare such a report and... View More
Going to be hers. How can that be? They are not in my dad’s will. This is in NY state
answered on Nov 30, 2023
In New York State, the distribution of assets after someone's death is governed by their will and the state's inheritance laws. If your father passed away and left assets to your stepmother, those assets would become part of her estate upon her death.
If your stepmother did not... View More
Will is not done yet and they are not in the will. New York state
answered on Nov 29, 2023
In New York State, the distribution of an estate depends on the specifics of the will and the laws of intestate succession. If your stepmother passed away and the will is not yet completed, the distribution of her estate will be based on the existing will, if there is one, or according to state... View More
Will is not done yet and they are not in the will. New York state
answered on Dec 12, 2023
If all of your father‘s assets passed to his spouse, then either Her will controls, or if she passed without a will, then intestate laws would apply. However, if there is no well, then, the law looks to the intestacy laws to distribute her estate pursuing to Next of kin.
Dad left me a letter that my Step Mom would sell the house and gift me with money from the sale. She even stated she would sell the house then get settled then split the proceeds between her son & I.
Last week I asked her to put something in writing legally. She then told me she... View More
answered on Nov 28, 2023
I'm sorry to hear about your situation. It's important to understand that estate and inheritance laws can be complex, and the specific facts of your case will significantly impact your legal options and rights. Here are some general points to consider, but I strongly recommend consulting... View More
Dad left me a letter that my Step Mom would sell the house and gift me with money from the sale. She even stated she would sell the house then get settled then split the proceeds between her son & I.
Last week I asked her to put something in writing legally. She then told me she... View More
answered on Dec 12, 2023
You should definitely speak with an estate probate attorney before it’s too late or you sign anything. That being said if she is making such an offer perhaps she will put it in writing but again attorney. The letter that your father has left we have no weight in court. It’s a major problem.... View More
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.