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1 Answer | Asked in Health Care Law and Probate for California on
Q: How do I get my deceased dad's medical records if he didn't have a will and the listed next of kin won't cooperate?

He lived in California and I live in Missouri. The hospital said that I won't be able to get them. He didn't own any property and wasn't married. I'm the oldest of his 4 children. My younger brother who was raised by my dad is incarcerated and him and I are the only ones who knew our dad.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 6, 2024

In California, the right to access a deceased person's medical records is governed by the California Health and Safety Code, Section 123100-123149.5. If your father did not leave a will or any instructions regarding the disclosure of his medical records, the law provides a hierarchy of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for California on
Q: What is the Standard for providing proof of service for 120 day trustee notice

What is the standard of proof when a beneficiary or petitioner claims the did not receive or the Trustee claims that petition to determine the validity of the trust was files after 120 days expired. What probate code or civil code governs what proof be shown i.e. receipt from post office etc.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 6, 2024

Under California law, the standard for providing proof of service for a 120-day trustee notice, as well as the evidence required when a beneficiary or petitioner claims they did not receive the notice or that the trustee claims the petition to determine the validity of the trust was filed after the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Probate for Georgia on
Q: Son has a no contact order issued by Judge against his wife she has all his belongings including his truck . An his on h

Hospital csn he give me power of. Attorney an I cam get his belongings am truck

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 6, 2024

If your son is currently unable to retrieve his belongings due to a no-contact order, granting you a power of attorney (POA) can be a legal means for you to act on his behalf. A power of attorney would allow you to manage certain affairs for him, such as collecting his belongings, including his... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for West Virginia on
Q: My husband passed away 5 years ago. He had large hospital bills, if I stop paying them, can I be sued
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 6, 2024

The responsibility for a deceased spouse's debts can vary significantly depending on where you live, as laws differ by state, especially between community property states and common law states. In community property states, you may be liable for your spouse's debts incurred during the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Civil Litigation and Probate for Tennessee on
Q: Will Attorneys construe what a litigate is trying to say?

I intend to stop a partition by sale. I have my memorandum of points and authorities in video form, that were court recorded from previous proceedings. I discovered multiple oversights therefore I would like a motion to stay pending appeal. I seek an Attorney that will listen to what I am saying,... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Mar 6, 2024

Sale for Partition Actions are generally a statutory right. There are sometimes defenses, but usually only comprise surcharges amongst various parties against their share of the net common fund. You will need to file a written pleading and an interlocutory appeal will almost surely be futile.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Virginia on
Q: Can any of the surviving children take step mother to court during probate in Virginia?

A man and a women get married, joining each other with 1 child each from a previous marriage. Together they have 1 child together. Over 30 years pass and the mother dies suddenly without a will. Father gets everything. Father remarries someone from a foreign country, she has two adult children and... View More

Dominic Paul Lascara
Dominic Paul Lascara
answered on Mar 6, 2024

First of all, if the first wife in your questions dies without a will in Virginia, the laws of intestate succession govern the distribution of her probate assets. In this case, the husband would receive one-third (not including potential spousal claims) and all of the children of the wife would... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for California on
Q: I just found out that an attorney put a les pendes on my house. I was not informed. Is that legal? If not what can i do
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 6, 2024

In California, an attorney can record a lis pendens (pending lawsuit) against a property without the owner's consent if there is a pending lawsuit that affects the title or right to possession of the real property. However, the attorney must meet certain legal requirements:

1. There...
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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Arizona on
Q: Can i sue my brother for a percentage of the sale of our dad's house?

My dad died and left his house to my brother. My brother sold the house and didnt give me the money he promised. Am i entitled to percentage of the sale?

Marcus N. Seiter
Marcus N. Seiter
answered on Mar 5, 2024

I am sorry that you lost your father. I am also sorry that your brother did not keep his promise to you. However, if your father gave his house solely to your brother outright and free of any trust as your brother’s inheritance, then you are not entitled to any proceeds of the sale when your... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury, Civil Litigation, Juvenile Law and Probate for California on
Q: WHAT TYPE OF ATTORNEY IS NEEDED TO ASSIST WITH A CLAIM FOR LOSS, TO A COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

I SUBMITTED SOMEWHAT OF A ROUGH DRAFT TO THE LA COUNTY BOS WAS DENIED AND NOT SURE TO RESUBMIT CLAIM OR CONSIDER FURTHER LEGAL REMEDYS

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 5, 2024

When dealing with a claim for loss to a county board of supervisors, such as the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, you might want to consult with an attorney who has experience in government claims and administrative law. These attorneys are familiar with the processes and legal strategies... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Probate for California on
Q: Will a company reach out to a designated named benificiary upon an employees death? What if the phone number isn’t valid

At Granite construction if an employee of theirs dies unexpectedly, will they try to contact a named designated beneficiary they have on file and if the contact information for the beneficiary isn’t current, how do they go about locating them if they do do that?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 5, 2024

In the event of an employee's unexpected death, companies like Granite Construction generally have protocols to reach out to the designated beneficiary listed by the employee. This process is a part of the company's responsibility to ensure that any benefits or entitlements, such as life... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Elder Law, Estate Planning and Probate for Oregon on
Q: What lawyer do I need?

My partner passed away on July 5th. No will. We lived at his residence which was my home for over 13 years. I went to visit my grandson in Arizona for 6 weeks and when I came back on Jan 30th his 21 year old daughter changed the locks and won’t let me in. I am almost 66 and my whole life... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 6, 2024

In your situation, consulting with an estate or probate attorney would be a wise step. These lawyers handle cases involving estates, wills, and disputes after someone's death. They can help navigate the complexities of estate law, especially when there's no will, and ensure that your... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Elder Law, Estate Planning and Probate for Oregon on
Q: What lawyer do I need?

My partner passed away on July 5th. No will. We lived at his residence which was my home for over 13 years. I went to visit my grandson in Arizona for 6 weeks and when I came back on Jan 30th his 21 year old daughter changed the locks and won’t let me in. I am almost 66 and my whole life... View More

Theressa Hollis
Theressa Hollis
answered on Mar 5, 2024

I'm very sorry for your loss. You can ask the Post Office to forward your mail. You should be allowed to retrieve your personal property from the house. It's possible that you may be owed repayment for the mortgage payments you have made (less the cost of reasonable monthly rent).... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Probate and Estate Planning for California on
Q: My brother died ,2 months after his death, his girlfriend cashed out my policy. What do I do?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 4, 2024

In a situation where you discover that your brother's girlfriend cashed out a policy following his death, it's essential to take immediate action. Begin by gathering all relevant documents related to the policy, including any beneficiary designations and communications with the insurance... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Libel & Slander and Probate for Texas on
Q: Is this considered fraud if my gradfathers wife/ common law wife signs a warranty deed t her daughter w/o his signature?

I know they went to the court house and filed for a marriage license but I haven't found one yet se never claimed his last name but he is listed on the deed of trust his name first & hers following and now I found out she signed a warranty deed over to her daughter without my grandfather... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Mar 4, 2024

If Grandfather's wife owned an interest in property, she can convey it. Hire a TX attorney to search the title and determine present ownership. No fraud by your stated facts. Deed may have been a nullity with not interest conveyed. Grandfather would then have standing to file suit to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for California on
Q: How long does a defendant have to reply to a Petition for Probate? Time Sensitive - Reply Promptly Please

I filed a petition for probate in Riverside Superior Court of California, this petition was a demand for my father's third wife to produce my father's estate documents, along with other issues. The Petition was served by a Process server on Jan 26, 2024, how many day does the defendant... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 4, 2024

In California probate proceedings, the time frame for a respondent to reply to a petition can vary based on the specific type of petition filed and the local court's rules. Generally, for most matters related to probate, such as contesting a will or objecting to an executor's appointment,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Probate for Kansas on
Q: Father passed but my name and siblings name on deed. Can we quitclaim our portion to our cousin who lives in the home?

My father was married about two years before passing. Spouse has stopped talking to us/our family. There’s also a Medicare lien on the house. My sister and I don’t want to be on the deed. Can we just quit claim the deed to our cousin who has been living in and caring for the home since before... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Mar 4, 2024

Hire a MO attorney to search the title and determine ownership as well as encumbrances. Surviving Spouse is probably an heir also. An Affidavit of Heirship might need to be recorded. Depending on the liens and property value, a Partition Action might be advisable. Even if you transfer your... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Probate, Estate Planning and Civil Litigation for New York on
Q: can a will/or unofficial will be contested by a non family member ?

can an court appointed admin of an estate pick and choose what to honor in a will/or unofficial will

Bonnie Lawston
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Bonnie Lawston
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

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2 Answers | Asked in Probate, Estate Planning and Civil Litigation for New York on
Q: can a will/or unofficial will be contested by a non family member ?

can an court appointed admin of an estate pick and choose what to honor in a will/or unofficial will

Benjamin Z. Katz
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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

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Florida on
Q: Father passes wife alive with 3 adult children but one passed away leaving 2 adult children & husband. Division? No will

PR LAW... Each child was granted property while father was alive now 3 rental properties remain. Heard there is a new law. Can you say what percentage to each?

Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Mar 4, 2024

I am very sorry for your loss and please accept my condolences for you and your family. When there is no Will, then the Florida Intestate Statutes (without a Will) will apply. If all the children are from this marriage, then the surviving spouse inherits everything. You will need to speak with a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Estate Planning and Probate for West Virginia on
Q: Can daughters lawyer filed law suit against me to go after my mom's estate my daughter is not in will and I only one.

I was not in court meeting daughter filed illegal guardianship over me she was awarded money. Can lawyer go after this money I am executor of the will do it have standing

.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 4, 2024

If your daughter's lawyer has filed a lawsuit against you with the intention of accessing your mother's estate, and you are the sole executor and beneficiary as per the will, the situation requires careful legal handling. Even if your daughter is not named in the will, she may seek a... View More

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