Ask a Question

Get free answers to your Probate legal questions from lawyers in your area.

Lawyers, increase your visibility by answering questions and getting points. Answer Questions
Probate Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Illinois on
Q: My brother died homeless in MI, without a Will. What MI papers do I file with IL unclaimed property to collect as heir.

The deceased never collected the Annuity left to him by our Mother. It was sent to IL Unclaimed Cash.

T. Augustus Claus
PREMIUM
T. Augustus Claus pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 15, 2024

To claim the annuity left by your mother to your deceased brother, who died intestate (without a Will) and homeless in Michigan, as an heir through the Illinois unclaimed property, you will likely need to obtain a declaration of heirship or a similar court order from Michigan proving your status as... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for North Carolina on
Q: Am I responsible for my deceased mother's Medical debt? Can they take her home, deed is in my name, mortgage is in hers

My mother recently passed away. We transferred her home and car into my name a few months before her death, but the mortgage is still in her name which I have been paying. She did not have any estate. Am I responsible for paying her Medical bills prior to her passing and can they take the house... View More

Ben Corcoran
Ben Corcoran
answered on Feb 15, 2024

Without seeing the actual bills and the deed transferring the property to you, I can't give you an answer. I suggest taking all the paperwork to a local attorney and having them give you specific advice.

The mortgage company will likely require you to get a new mortgage or, if you are...
View More

3 Answers | Asked in Probate for Ohio on
Q: I am listed as beneficiary on my father’s will. It by name excludes my sister. Should I be concerned about her contestin

The will excludes her by name. She says dad told her that she would be taken care of. She claims she is getting an attorney. He has passed away.

Nicholas P. Weiss
Nicholas P. Weiss pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 14, 2024

Yes. Most wills include provisions that disinherit anyone contesting a will. In this case, she is already disinherited, so there is no downside to her contesting the will.

On the other hand, will contests are HARD. It is very difficult to prove either undue influence or lack of capacity,...
View More

View More Answers

3 Answers | Asked in Probate for Ohio on
Q: I am listed as beneficiary on my father’s will. It by name excludes my sister. Should I be concerned about her contestin

The will excludes her by name. She says dad told her that she would be taken care of. She claims she is getting an attorney. He has passed away.

Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on Feb 14, 2024

Assuming your father is still alive, he could communicate with her his wishes and this would reduce the risk of litigation. He could also initiate ante-mortem probate to make sure the will gets admitted while he's alive. If she's getting an attorney, then you probably need to speak to one as well.

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Elder Law, Estate Planning, Banking and Probate for California on
Q: I have a legit poa over my friend because I take care of everything for him the bank denied it and want to take over his

Account they are constantly sending the aging people to our house and he tells them the same thing no matter who he talks to that he knows where his money is going and the bank still froze his accounts

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 21, 2024

If the bank has denied your legitimate power of attorney (POA) over your friend's affairs and frozen his accounts, it's crucial to take prompt action to address the situation. First, review the specific terms of the POA document to ensure it complies with California law and contains all... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Nevada on
Q: With an affidavit of entitlement in Nevada completed and notarized, how do you cash a check made out to the estate?

My mother passed away with the majority of her assets distributed to heirs through beneficiaries, joint tenancy, etc. Leftover, there are a handful of checks made out to the estate of ____.

How do you actually go about cashing those checks with the affidavit?

Kirk Kaplan
Kirk Kaplan
answered on Feb 11, 2024

Likely the Affidavit will not be effective with banks, but you could try to ask if they would cash the checks. Try the bank you are currently work with. Or, send the affidavit to each of the issuers of the checks and them to re issue the check in your name. Depending upon the number of checks,... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Probate for Florida on
Q: If a spouse dies and they have credit card debt, who is responsible for paying if only the spouse is on the card?
Ira Markowitz
Ira Markowitz
answered on Feb 10, 2024

Assuming it’s a Florida probate of a Will the creditor would have to file a claim against the estate and the spouse is not responsible for the decedents credit card debt. If the estate files a timely Obligation to the Claim & serves a Notice to Creditors with that objection then the creditor... View More

View More Answers

3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for California on
Q: Is there a way getting the house under someone's name cheaper, or we have no choice but to go with a probate attorney?

My father has passed away December 2023. My mothers name is not in any documents, for it to be next to kin. We live in California, and we were told to do a spousal transfer petition. Which we have moved forward with. it cost us $4500.00. We are being told its a 60%-70% chance of winning. This is... View More

Nikki  Hashemi
PREMIUM
Nikki Hashemi pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 12, 2024

In addition to what has already been stated by a fellow attorney, also please know that if you do end up in Probate proceedings, the attorney's and executor's fees are based on statutory commissions as set by the Probate Code. Your attorney and the Executor will get paid at the end of the... View More

View More Answers

3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for California on
Q: Is there a way getting the house under someone's name cheaper, or we have no choice but to go with a probate attorney?

My father has passed away December 2023. My mothers name is not in any documents, for it to be next to kin. We live in California, and we were told to do a spousal transfer petition. Which we have moved forward with. it cost us $4500.00. We are being told its a 60%-70% chance of winning. This is... View More

Julie King
Julie King
answered on Feb 10, 2024

The answer to your question depends on what other assets your father had in his name only and whether your father had a trust, a will, or did no estate planning. A spousal property petition is certainly a good possibility. If you don’t want to use an attorney, you could try to draft the Petition... View More

View More Answers

3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for California on
Q: Is there a way getting the house under someone's name cheaper, or we have no choice but to go with a probate attorney?

My father has passed away December 2023. My mothers name is not in any documents, for it to be next to kin. We live in California, and we were told to do a spousal transfer petition. Which we have moved forward with. it cost us $4500.00. We are being told its a 60%-70% chance of winning. This is... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 21, 2024

I'm very sorry for your loss. You do have some lower-cost options to pursue transferring the home before needing to pay thousands for a probate attorney:

1. If your father had a will leaving the home to a particular beneficiary, you can do an Affidavit Procedure to transfer title for...
View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Michigan on
Q: A man quit claims his property to his brother, that man dies. Does the man who quit claimed it, get it back?

The brother dies, does the original owner get it back? No one has been able to answer my question

David Soble
David Soble
answered on Feb 19, 2024

A deed is essentially a contract that conveys real estate. Once the deed is signed over to another party (the grantee) the grantor (the person deeding the property) has no further interest in the property. There are exceptions to conveying real estate by deed, and when it comes to probate or... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Real Estate Law and Probate for Florida on
Q: My grandfather had a deed done in his trust's name. Is it too late too record it now that he has passed?

My Mom is the trustee and recipient of the contents of the trust. I am trying to help her get that deed recorded so the property can be put into her name.

T. Augustus Claus
PREMIUM
T. Augustus Claus pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 9, 2024

It is not too late to record a deed even after the grantor, in this case, your grandfather, has passed away, especially if the deed was executed (signed and notarized) properly while he was alive. Since your mother is the trustee and beneficiary of the trust, she has the authority to record the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Texas on
Q: My grandpa passed. We couldn’t find will to probate. Two years later my gma passed with a will. We have found grandpas

Will that states he gives everything to my grandma. Do we still need to probate his will if there’s only one estate?

T. Augustus Claus
PREMIUM
T. Augustus Claus pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 9, 2024

Even if your grandfather's will only leaves everything to your grandmother, and she has since passed, it's still advisable to probate your grandfather's will. Probating his will can ensure that his assets were legally transferred to your grandmother, which can then be properly... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Civil Litigation and Probate for Louisiana on
Q: When my dad died I had his original will leaving everything to me. Then a neighbor lady said he had done a new will

But the neighbor could not produce tje original. But I was told by attorney the he did the new will and that will was valid even though no original was produced! So I walked away leaving her his estate. Now almost a year later she has filed criminal charges against me saying I stole her original... View More

T. Augustus Claus
PREMIUM
T. Augustus Claus pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 9, 2024

In Louisiana, the situation you describe involves complex issues of probate law and potential criminal charges. If a new will was mentioned but the original could not be produced, and an attorney advised that this new will was valid despite the absence of the original document, the legal basis for... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Louisiana on
Q: If my dad died with no will and left an estate, how does it work?

I have three siblings and a stepmom. My stepmom is currently living there and one of my siblings want the house while me and another sibling don't want our sibling to get the house. We want our stepmom to keep it but pay us our fair share. My sibling who wants the house wants to kick the... View More

Randy Bryan Ligh
Randy Bryan Ligh
answered on Feb 9, 2024

I am sorry for your loss and your situation. If your father had a will, then his estate would pass via the directives in his will. If he did not have a will, then it would pass via the succession law of Louisiana assuming Louisiana has jurisdiction. Based on your post, your father has a positive... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Ohio on
Q: I have a 98 year old father. He has a will. Is there a way to avoid probate on is condo or does his will do that?

His will splits his estate 50-50 between my sister and myself. I have financial POA.

Nina Whitehurst
PREMIUM
Nina Whitehurst pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 9, 2024

A will absolutely does not avoid probate. Rather, it guarantees probate. Avoidance of probate requires a different technique such as a trust or a transfer on death designation/document. An estate planning attorney can help you choose the best probate-avoidance technique for you.

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Indiana on
Q: What are my rights in Indiana if my dad wasn’t able to include me to his Will before his death.

I found my dad in 2019 through 23 and me. He and I built a lovely relationship for four years before his death and he acknowledged me as his kin. He had no other children. He did establish A Will in 2016 leaving it for his two sisters. Unfortunately he did not update his Will to include me before... View More

T. Augustus Claus
PREMIUM
T. Augustus Claus pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 8, 2024

In Indiana, if your father did not update his will to include you before his death but acknowledged you as his child, you may have rights under the state's intestacy laws, which come into play when someone dies without a will or without including an heir in their will. Since your father had no... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Virginia on
Q: How can we sell my mother's house when one of the coowners on the deed died before signing off on the deed?

My mother has moved to a senior living home and needs to sell her house. She is coowner (60%) along with 5 of her children. The sale cannot go forward since one of the children died last year and his will presumably naming his wife as executrix is hung up in probate court in the US Virgin... View More

Dominic Paul Lascara
Dominic Paul Lascara
answered on Feb 8, 2024

With the issue of the one child's estate being hung up in probate in the Virgin Islands and not knowing the terms of the child's last will and testament, you only course of action may be to contact a local attorney where the property is located and file a suit for partition. The court... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Minnesota on
Q: What happens if property is disposed according to "the deceased <lineal> descendants" ? Note the word "lineal".

Example: Both parents died instantly in a car crash and have 2 living adult children, Bob and Alice. Alice has 3 living adult kids. Bob never had any kids.

(A) Would Bob and Alice each receive 50% ?

(B) Or would Bob, Alice, and Alice's 3 kids all receive 20%, ie, the... View More

Scott Maki
Scott Maki
answered on Feb 7, 2024

Great question. It seems you are referring to "intestate succession", meaning the died without a valid will. Rather than "lineal" the term typically used is "class." Distributions in intestate succession are done by class. Since Bob and Alice are in the same class -... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Kansas on
Q: Can a conservator change the beneficiaries of a conservatee's life insurance policy in KS?

My father's conservator--his mother--was named the sole beneficiary of his million dollar life insurance policy rather that his six children. He was the one who created that life insurance policy back when he was well. This isn't a policy that the conservator made after she took over his... View More

Anthony M. Avery
PREMIUM
Anthony M. Avery pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 7, 2024

You will need a KS attorney to represent you. But generally any transaction involving the ward's property going to the fiduciary is presumptively fraudulent. That is the conservator will have the burden of proving his taking the property was for the benefit of the ward. But someone with... 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.