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
2 Answers | Asked in Probate for Nevada on
Q: The opposing party's attorney concerning my father's estate will not return calls or emails, nor will close the estate.

This has been in court for five years with no activity for the past two. He received all the money from all my father's accounts years ago. It's hard to believe he has not distributed the money to his clients when years prior he spoke in court of his client having to wait too long to... View More

Jennifer Setters
PREMIUM
Jennifer Setters pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Oct 3, 2024

Under circumstances such as these, in which an opposing counsel is unreachable and the estate has been motionless for a protracted period, you can handle the matter in numerous ways. Every case is unique, hence it is imperative to see an attorney knowledgeable about probate law. Here are some... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Ohio on
Q: Ohio Probate My mom, uncle and aunt inherited my Grandma's house. My uncle died without a will, no kids or wife.

So my mom and aunt inherited his share of the house and his belongings like a new car and other things of value. The house nor his car had not yet been sold when my mom died in June without a will. So my question are me and my siblings legally entitled to her share of the house and of my uncles... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Oct 1, 2024

Yes, you and your siblings could be entitled to something of your mother's estate, depending on whether she has a surviving spouse. Use the Find a Lawyer tab to retain a local probate attorney to review the situation and advise you how best to proceed to sort out the estates for both your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Probate for Florida on
Q: If a personal representative in Florida misappropriated funds/commits fraud against disabled beneficiary

We're removing PR and resending Letters of Administration due violations under 733.609. Beneficiaries are close blood related. One is permanently disabled. Is there a criminal code for defrauding - intentionally & knowingly, a disabled adult. Under 733.609 PR has violated every aspect of... View More

Barry W. Kaufman
Barry W. Kaufman
answered on Oct 1, 2024

The PR is required to be represented by an attorney if there is more than one beneficiary to a Will. Since there are more than one beneficiary, the PR is required to have an attorney. First, why have not mentioned what conversations you've had with the PR's attorney? Second, chapter 733... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Ohio on
Q: i am a minor in medina county ohio and want to get a legal name change, how does it work? do i need a court date? etc

i’m in medina county ohio and want to know how as a minor i can change my name to align with my gender identity. will i have to go to court and talk to a judge, do i have to do a backrounf check, can passing that make it so i dont have to do a. court hearing? stuff like that

Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on Sep 30, 2024

Good question! Here's a link to the packet you would need to fill out in Medina County (for reference only) and it does contain some requirements. Looks like the parents must be notified at a minimum and may appear at the hearing to object. Good luck!... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Ohio on
Q: How can I verify my rights as successor beneficiary of trust if trustee won’t provide copy?

My grandmother died in July and her assets were in a trust. I believe that my father, who died three years ago, is a beneficiary of the trust and I would be a successor beneficiary and may be entitled to his share.

The problem is that, despite multiple requests, the trustee has not provided... View More

Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on Sep 30, 2024

Beneficiaries are entitled to a copy of the trust instrument, among other things, under Ohio law. If you are having a difficult time with the trustee, then you need to be proactive. This is a common story and the longer you wait the more likely you are to end up with nothing. I recommend getting an... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Probate and Estate Planning for California on
Q: I would like to take adverse possession of an abandoned property. Where should I start as far as legal process goes?

The neighbors cut my locks and relocked the gate that I used to gain entry. I had documented the adverse possession sign that I posted before then and I documented the conditions of the property. The house has been abandoned over 20 years and the neighbors dont believe I have the right to be there.... View More

Howard E. Kane
PREMIUM
Howard E. Kane
answered on Oct 1, 2024

Since the previous owner is deceased, you will need to sue the estate of the decedent for adverse possession. Hence, the first step should be to petition the probate court to appoint an administrator of the decedent's estate. Once an administrator is appointed, you can then proceed with an... View More

View More Answers

3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Business Law and Probate for California on
Q: Do i have a case? and enough proof?

My dad passed away in 2023, with no will or anything to prepare for this type of event. My uncle co owned a few stores that him and my dad shared. After the passing of our father, my uncle my sister and myself all came to a verbal agreement on what would happen with my dads share in the stores. my... View More

Julie King
Julie King
answered on Sep 27, 2024

The answer is: It depends. When someone in California dies, an analysis must be done to determine the total value of ALL assets that person owned (with the exception of a few assets, but a business is NOT one of the exceptions.) If the dollar amount of the assets totals $154,500 or higher, then... View More

View More Answers

3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Business Law and Probate for California on
Q: Do i have a case? and enough proof?

My dad passed away in 2023, with no will or anything to prepare for this type of event. My uncle co owned a few stores that him and my dad shared. After the passing of our father, my uncle my sister and myself all came to a verbal agreement on what would happen with my dads share in the stores. my... View More

Gerald Barry Dorfman
Gerald Barry Dorfman
answered on Sep 27, 2024

Your situation involves more than one area of law, including partnership, contract and probate. You can not solve such a complex situation by posting on an online forum. In fact, it is not in your interest to do so, as anyone, including your uncle and other interested parties, can see what you have... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Estate Planning, Family Law and Probate for Virginia on
Q: My mother passed away in Virginia and have been told there was a will.

I contacted the law firm that created the will and know the lawyer. I was told they would call me right back and haven't heard anything. My brother and I are the only surviving relatives. I wanted to if I had the right to see the will. There is also the question of what happens if it was... View More

James H. Wilson Jr.
PREMIUM
James H. Wilson Jr.
answered on Sep 27, 2024

One way for a testator to revoke a will is through physical obliteration - tearing it up, marking through it, burning it, etc. Many lawyers will not keep an original will because it would deprive the testator of the ability to revoke a will in this manner. Instead, the lawyer or law firm may make... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Probate for California on
Q: My attorney is not acting. What is wrong and should I let him go? Every contact is $1000+. I am going crazy...

I hired a law firm more than a half year ago to remove a long inacting executor / trustee. The firm assigned an attorney for me. Initially, everything was normal. However, on the day when we had tele-conference, I had a family emergency coming up. Because it was too late to cancel the appointment,... View More

Gerald Barry Dorfman
Gerald Barry Dorfman
answered on Sep 26, 2024

Most problems between clients and attorneys have to due with communication issues. You may be able to get back on track by taking the time to organize all your concerns, and then putting them in an email or letter. Be specific, including dates and your expectations. Request a written response, and... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Probate for Rhode Island on
Q: Why would an estate be divided between 1 living and 3 deceased siblings?

Uncle dies, never married, no children, had 4 sisters with children. One sibling, my mother, is the only living next of kin (91yrs) but the 3 sisters, that are deceased, have some living children- being my uncle's nieces and nephews. His lawyer is going to divide his estate by the 4... View More

Albin Moser
PREMIUM
Albin Moser pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Sep 25, 2024

Unfortunately no, it would not all go to the living sibling. The division of the estate between the living sibling and the descendants of the three deceased siblings is the correct distribution under Rhode Island law. As for the amount of money in the estate and how much is left, you can find out... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Probate for Pennsylvania on
Q: Hi there! I’m seeking an attorney to change a deed Who in Reading specializes in deeds.?

There’s a deed owned by 2 brothers in Reading, and one is deceased. The heir wants to put his name in place of his fathers.

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
PREMIUM
W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Sep 24, 2024

If the current two-brother deed is held as joint tenants with right of survivorship, the filing of a Certificate of Death of one brother with Registrar of Deeds should give surviving brother a clean (and insurable) right to the whole of the property. At that point, the sole owner (surviving... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Ohio on
Q: How to best handle a small estate in Ohio, with only non Ohio heirs?

My mother recently died in Lawrence County Ohio. She has 2 children, myself, a 44 year old Kentucky resident, and my sister, a 49 year old West Virginia resident. Her estate only consists of a 2009 Honda Civic, no other assets, no owed debts. What is our best course of action since neither of us... View More

Andrew Popp
Andrew Popp
answered on Sep 24, 2024

It sounds like the estate may qualify for a simplified proceeding to handle the vehicle. Unfortunately, a Court process is still involved. Depending on what estate documents are in place you may need to retain local counsel to handle the matter for you.

I recommend setting up a...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Michigan on
Q: My father just died. Estate would be 2 old vehicles worth 20k total and about 25k in life insurance. Do I need probate?

Wife died 7 years ago. Has 3 surviving children.

Kenneth V Zichi
Kenneth V Zichi
answered on Sep 23, 2024

Was there a beneficiary named on the life insurance? If so you probably do not need probate, but the analysis is more complicated than that.

Please consult with a local licensed attorney to review ALL the facts of your case to insure there aren’t other issues. Starting probate...
View More

2 Answers | Asked in Probate for Maryland on
Q: I need to find the PA intestate laws that were in place in 1964. Where could I find this information?
Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Sep 29, 2024

Why do you need this information 60 years after the fact? Are you questioning an estate distribution from 1964? I am not a PA lawyer so I cannot speak to PA law, but in most jurisdictions—such as Maryland where you posted this question—there is a statute of limitations for contesting an estate... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Texas on
Q: I’m executor of father’s estate. Trying to evict niece she won’t leave she is not in will

Brother is contesting me being executor. Will that hold up eviction. No judge order has been issued JP ruled in our favorite is appealing to higher court civil coirt. Will the contest hold up evictioncase

James Clifton
PREMIUM
James Clifton
answered on Sep 20, 2024

The eviction case will be stopped while the case is on appeal. However, your niece should be required to pay rent while the appeal is pending. Once the appeal is resolved, you can move forward with the eviction. If you are removed as executor, your ability to evict will also be removed, so your... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Probate for California on
Q: SINCE MY MOTHER PASSED IT'S BEEN TWO MONTHS AND NO WILL OR TRUST PRODUCED BY THE EXECUTOR.

MY SISTER SAID THE EXECUTOR JUST GAVE HER A CASHIER'S CHECK FROM MY MOTHER'S ESTATE. AND SHE TAKING THINGS AWAY FROM MY MOTHER'S HOUSE THAT WAS LEFT AND SUPPOSED TO BE SOLD AND PROCEEDS SPLIT. I WANT AN AUDIT OF MY MOTHER'S BANK ACCOUNT, BACK TO WHEN THE EXECUTOR JOINED HER... View More

James Clifton
PREMIUM
James Clifton
answered on Sep 18, 2024

As a beneficiary, you have the right to request an accounting of the estate. This includes all transactions made since your mother's passing, including any payments or withdrawals from her bank accounts. The executor is legally bound to provide this upon request, showing how estate assets have... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Oregon on
Q: Can I file a Breach Of Fiducary duth in my county?

Can I file a Breach Of Fiducary duth in my county?

I plan to file a Breach of Fiducary Duty in a probate case, I am the only heir in the State and would like to file the breach in my county as opposed to the county where my Mother died, can I do that?

Does the Breach need to be... View More

Calvin A. Knickerbocker III
Calvin A. Knickerbocker III pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Sep 18, 2024

Given your scenario and the general principles discussed, here's how you might approach filing a breach of fiduciary duty claim in Oregon:

Venue for Filing:

Probate Court: If your claim directly involves the administration of your mother's estate or the duties of an...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Arizona on
Q: Can a will be in the form of a text message from the deceased?

My cousin passed and intended.tonpass along everything to me he stated this in a text. He was not able to complete a formal will prior to his passing.

Peter H. Westby
Peter H. Westby
answered on Sep 16, 2024

A text message is not a will in Arizona. In most cases in Arizona, a valid will must be signed by the decedent and witnessed. Or it must be wholly in the decedent's handwriting and signed by the decedent. Your text message appears to be an indication of the decedent's intent at the end... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Contracts, Estate Planning and Probate for Florida on
Q: After a mortgage holder has died, what happens to the mortgage? Thank you.

If someone has extended and is holding a personal mortgage to another person for real estate, and receiving payment every month, and then they die, what happens to the mortgage? What is the process for that mortgage? Does it remain in the deceased persons name and still paid to them? Or Is the... View More

James Clifton
PREMIUM
James Clifton
answered on Sep 14, 2024

If the payee of a mortgage dies, the mortgage is still enforceable. The personal representative of the estate has the right to collect the mortgage payments, foreclose on the mortgage, and otherwise take actions that they deceased would have been able to take until such times as the estate is... View More

View More Answers

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.