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answered on Sep 20, 2023
In Ohio, if minors are designated as beneficiaries on financial instruments like CDs without specifying a custodian, complications can arise. Under the Ohio Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA), assets can be transferred to minors with an adult custodian managing them. If no custodian was named,... View More 
My son was adopted by his mother’s second husband changing his name and birth certificate.
My son has grown and his adoptive father has passed away. Son would like to have his birth certificate changed to have my name as his father. He has already changed his name back to what it was... View More
answered on Sep 18, 2023
Given these facts, I think any probate attorney may need to do some research to be truly confident as to the process needed to achieve the desired outcome. If changing the words on the certificate is truly the only desired outcome, then I'd start with the health department that issued the... View More
He was from puerto rico
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answered on Sep 6, 2023
Certainly, in order to read someone's will, you should follow a legal process that typically starts by locating the will, consulting with an attorney who specializes in probate and estate law, and filing for probate if required. The will reading itself is not always a formal event but rather a... View More
I had someone who was very close to my family pass away and he was adopted when he was little. He was an only child after being adopted but has a biological sister who is still alive and he has no other family at all. He had told multiple people around him that he wanted my mom to get his home but... View More
answered on Aug 30, 2023
For a definitive answer I recommend sitting down with a qualified attorney to review your circumstances in detail and advise you and/or your friend.
In the interim, the pertinent legal authority can be found at Sections 2105.06 and 3107.15 of the Ohio Revised Code. See links below.... View More
I live in a different state and he was a not married.
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answered on Aug 28, 2023
In the event of a person's passing, their estate typically goes through a legal process called probate. During this process, the assets and debts of the deceased are evaluated, and their estate is distributed according to their will or the state's intestate laws if there is no will. To... View More
My husband and I divorced, both are still on the deed to the house. Divorce decree states when I’m ready to sell we split the proceeds. He passed away and now his wife wants half the house in her name. The deed has survivorship rights. So I thought the house should go into my name. What trumps... View More
answered on Aug 4, 2023
Sign and record an affidavit of survivorship with a copy of the death certificate, per the survivorship deed. That will put the house into your name. There is no obligation to also put the house into her name, unless a court would order that, or unless the divorce decree already says that. But... View More
Is there a probate law that permits the filing of a probate administration in Ohio if all the decedent's assets are located in Ohio and the decedent was never domiciled in another State except as a prison inmate?
The decedent, a former resident of Cuyahoga County, traveled to Oregon... View More
answered on Aug 3, 2023
Interesting question. It all depends whether the decedent was a resident of Oregon. After a quick internet search, it seems there may be some authority for saying that a prisoner retains their pre-prison residency. The job of a lawyer is to do the necessary research to come to a conclusion on... View More
and bank account and left her the items in the home. The will states if I am married She gets the house and bank account. I am not married NEVER have been. She is his 6th wife he never put her on any bank account, credit card, or deed to house. They were married only 9 years. She has lied and told... View More
answered on Jul 31, 2023
The will must be filed with the probate court to initiate his probate estate. The will and other documents filed with the court are public records that can be searched on-line. No one can prevent you from filing objections or motions with the probate court. Use the Find a Lawyer tab to retain a... View More
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answered on Jul 12, 2023
The distribution of assets from an estate typically occurs after all debts, taxes, and expenses have been paid, and any necessary court approvals have been obtained. This ensures that the estate's obligations are properly settled and that the beneficiaries receive their rightful share... View More
My dad passed away and has a will that states to sell the house that he co owns with his ex wife to put for his funeral expenses. His new current wife is refusing to follow the will she is here on a green card from the Philippines. She is first in his paperwork but I am also listed that if she is... View More
answered on Jul 3, 2023
You will have to file an action against the new wife in probate court. Has the will been admitted to probate yet? IF not you may even be able to get yourself named as executor. Regardless, you should hire an attorney in your late father's county who regularly practices probate litigation.
answered on Jun 13, 2023
The executor or administrator must consider whether there are other claims to pay, sufficient funds to pay any taxes, expenses and fees of administration, etc. Recipients usually are eager for distributions, but the executor or administrator should consult with the attorney for the estate, or use... View More
I have a will that gives to the husband as a life estate, then to the daughter as a life estate, then to the granddaughter. The certificate of transfer gives to the daughter, who then conveys the land to another party. It appears that they have ignored or forgotten that the daughter would have... View More
answered on May 24, 2023
If the Certificate of Transfer is incorrect, then contact the attorney for the estate to file with the probate court to have it corrected. If the daughter sold the property, there could be a real estate title issue for her and the buyer to resolve. If the buyer did a title examination, that... View More
Left numerous voicemails and finally a call went through and the attorney answered and took my name and phone number and said they would get back to me. It has been 3 months since I have received the notice of inventory and appraisal of the estate with no further contact from the attorney or the... View More
answered on May 18, 2023
The case documents are available to the public on-line. So anyone can log in to see them and see what the progress is. The probate process can move slowly. The attorney for the estate represents the estate and works with the executor, and is not necessarily obligated to keep anyone else informed... View More
POA (stepmom) reduced mine & brothers %s by 20% each & increased hers by 40%. Dad had altzheimers & couldn’t have made the decision at the time it was changed. Poa had authority with restrictions to follow estate plan.
answered on May 8, 2023
Your attorney should be answering this question for you. That said, I would probably go ahead and take the lower percentage. Once the litigation begins, the company distributing the money may freeze the account. And, you may need the money to help pay for the costs of litigation. But, even if you... View More
which executor handles the jointly owned accounts? Who does the money in those accounts go to?
answered on Apr 29, 2023
The funds in the joint account go to the second spouse to die and administered under the will of the second to die. If the order of deaths is unknown, then you need to speak to an attorney.
Other assets are more complicated, as it depends how the wills were written and how they address... View More
which executor handles the jointly owned accounts? Who does the money in those accounts go to?
answered on Apr 30, 2023
A more thorough analysis would be needed. Here in Ohio, a beneficiary must survive the principal by a least 120 hours or they are viewed as having predeceased the other. As for the executor, each person has their own probate and you can have a different person for the husband/wife's case.... View More
Surviving spouse is afraid that Probate Court process is required in all death of spouse situations.
answered on Apr 27, 2023
If the real estate transfer is in the will, then probate court is required to get a Certificate of Transfer. When the transfer is by a survivorship deed or by transfer on death affidavit, probate court is not required for that transfer, but might be required if there are other transfers under the... View More
She does have a bank account with maybe $600 in it. I have not done anything to get access to this account. I also did not file her taxes. Looking for guidance or at least to be pointed in the right direction to a lawyer who can assist.
answered on Apr 22, 2023
If you want to try to settle her estate you likely will need to open up a probate case. The person appointed to be the administrator / executor has the legal authority to settle debts, file taxes, etc. on behalf of the estate. Keep in mind that most creditors must present their claims against the... View More
Ohio resident had no spouse or children. Resident's parents are deceased and has siblings. One sibling legally disclaims entire estate. Do the children of the disclaimed sibling have a legal claim or would the entire estate go to the remaining siblings of the deceased?
answered on Mar 29, 2023
Without going into a more detailed analysis, I can tell you that the heirs at law pursuant to Section 2105.06 of the Ohio Revised Code would control where the assets went. The link is below. I would encourage you to sit down with a qualified probate attorney to ensure the estate is handled... View More
My parents made a change to their will leaving me their home. This was signed by them and had two witnesses. My parents died a few days apart from Covid. The probate judge has had their will for over 2 years and says he never seen this. Now my attorney has to file a case law. I’ve been living in... View More
answered on Mar 20, 2023
Even if the will says that you get the house, and assuming the house is going through probate, the judge can force the sale if the estate has creditors or other beneficiaries with interests that cannot be resolved without selling the house. I advise you to ask the attorney whether s/he represents... View More
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