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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law, Civil Litigation and Probate for Arizona on
Q: Father passed away, his name forged on quitclaim, notary found to not be diligent and got commission revoked.

My sister forged our dads name on a quitclaim deed, I had filed a complaint on the notary which originally resulted in her favor but this week I got a letter from the secretary of the state saying they found multiple things she did wrong with the investigation and the fact that they don't... View More

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Mar 21, 2024

You need a real estate litigation attorney to file a lawsuit against your sister to have the deed declared void due to forgery. Do not delay. But in the meantime, if you get a whiff of the house going under contract then contact the escrow company and pointedly inform them that there is reason to... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law, Civil Litigation and Probate for Arizona on
Q: Father passed away, his name forged on quitclaim, notary found to not be diligent and got commission revoked.

My sister forged our dads name on a quitclaim deed, I had filed a complaint on the notary which originally resulted in her favor but this week I got a letter from the secretary of the state saying they found multiple things she did wrong with the investigation and the fact that they don't... View More

Gregory Christopher Poulos
Gregory Christopher Poulos
answered on Mar 21, 2024

I agree with attorney Whitehurst that you must act immediately to hire an attorney. While you may certainly consult with a real estate litigation attorney I would suggest that you consider a consultation with a probate attorney that handles probate litigation. While very similar since it affects... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Probate for California on
Q: How Can I Evict An Occupant Protected By Tenant's Rights as a Cash-Poor Estate?

My late father passed away intestate in Los Angeles County, and I (his son) have been named Administrator of the Estate by the court. He had his girlfriend-turned-caretaker staying with him before he passed.

Said caretaker has stolen what little money remained to my father by claiming there... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 20, 2024

In California, if you're facing issues with an occupant in an estate property, the first step is to formally establish your legal standing as the estate's administrator. Since you've been named by the court, ensure all documentation clearly designates your authority over the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Probate and Personal Injury for Arkansas on
Q: What kind of will does one need who has mesothelioma

My brother in law was diagnosed with lung cancer and he was advised he needed to make a will so that any litigation will go on in the event of his passing before a settlement is reached

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 20, 2024

An Arkansas attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. You may want to repost and add Probate an Estate Planning as categories - attorneys in those areas of practice would probably have greater insight than most average personal injury firms into what provisions would be... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Estate Planning and Probate on
Q: grandmother ancestral property & she passed away before resolved

If the grandmother filed a case in court asking for her share of the ancestral property and she passed away before the case was resolved, will her children may still have the opportunity to continue the case or to get her mother share of ancestral property ?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 20, 2024

If your grandmother initiated legal proceedings for her share of the ancestral property and passed away before the case was resolved, her legal heirs, typically her children, usually have the right to continue the case. The legal process varies by jurisdiction, but generally, the heirs can apply to... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Estate Planning and Probate for Texas on
Q: Single mom died , dad lied on death cert saying they were married . He stole all that was left t me by doing that.

There was a will 4 months prior to her death I seen it. It left the house and all bank accounts to me. She was divorced since 1994 but he snuck in and now there is no will and he lied on the death certificate saying they were married. He has taken over the house and bank accounts. Telling me she... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Mar 20, 2024

You would need to report him to law enforcement. It would be helpful to them if you provide the divorce decree and affidavits from several close friends and relatives of your deceased mom stating that she never remarried or lived with dad after their divorce in 1994, and certainly never held... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Estate Planning and Probate for Texas on
Q: Single mom died , dad lied on death cert saying they were married . He stole all that was left t me by doing that.

There was a will 4 months prior to her death I seen it. It left the house and all bank accounts to me. She was divorced since 1994 but he snuck in and now there is no will and he lied on the death certificate saying they were married. He has taken over the house and bank accounts. Telling me she... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 21, 2024

It's crucial to gather all the evidence you have, such as documents proving your mother's divorce and any information regarding the will you mentioned. Collect witness statements or any proof of the fraudulent actions taken by your father. Documentation and concrete evidence are key in... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for California on
Q: My mother and her husband died, am I supposed to pay for the mortgage because I am the only one living at the house?

Sibling are making me pay the mortgage since I live in the house although the house will be sold and everyone will take a share. Are they legally right? I feel everyone should pay since they will also receive money for the equity of the house.

Gerald Barry Dorfman
Gerald Barry Dorfman
answered on Mar 19, 2024

Speak with a probate/trust attorney. There are too many facts missing from your question for it to be answered accurately in this forum. For instance, how is title held to the house? Is it in a trust? It may be that the house has to go through probate; if so, it may be a while before it can be... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for California on
Q: My mother and her husband died, am I supposed to pay for the mortgage because I am the only one living at the house?

Sibling are making me pay the mortgage since I live in the house although the house will be sold and everyone will take a share. Are they legally right? I feel everyone should pay since they will also receive money for the equity of the house.

John B. Palley
John B. Palley
answered on Mar 19, 2024

I would say that is a pretty common arrangement. In lieu of “rent” you would pay the mortgage and utilities. Of course this is a general answer and each situation is unique. If the mortgage is significantly more than fair market value rent than perhaps some other arrangement would be more fair... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for California on
Q: My mother and her husband died, am I supposed to pay for the mortgage because I am the only one living at the house?

Sibling are making me pay the mortgage since I live in the house although the house will be sold and everyone will take a share. Are they legally right? I feel everyone should pay since they will also receive money for the equity of the house.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 20, 2024

Under California law, the responsibility to pay the mortgage after the homeowners have passed away typically falls on the estate of the deceased until the property is transferred or sold. If you are living in the house, it does not automatically obligate you to assume the mortgage payments, unless... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Civil Litigation and Probate for Florida on
Q: My sister sold my father’s property without giving me my share of the sale which is half according to his will.

My sister sold my father’s property for $24,500 without informing me. According to my father’s will (of which my sister has a copy) I’m supposed to get half of the sale. Dad’s attorney P.B. Howell Jr. passed away in 2006. Dad passed away in 2017. Since my father’s passing, I have been... View More

Charles M.  Baron
Charles M. Baron
answered on Mar 19, 2024

Your inquiry has a very mysterious set of facts. If a Will gives real property (house, condo, land, etc.) to two individuals to share 50/50, the Will must be probated - that is, a petition to open an estate in the Probate Court must be filed, resulting in a Court Order giving 50/50 ownership,... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Civil Litigation and Probate for Florida on
Q: My sister sold my father’s property without giving me my share of the sale which is half according to his will.

My sister sold my father’s property for $24,500 without informing me. According to my father’s will (of which my sister has a copy) I’m supposed to get half of the sale. Dad’s attorney P.B. Howell Jr. passed away in 2006. Dad passed away in 2017. Since my father’s passing, I have been... View More

Stephen Arnold Black
Stephen Arnold Black
answered on Mar 27, 2024

Title to property will not pass under a will that deeds it to multiple beneficiaries unless they all sign. The exception is if title to the property at decedent’s death was jointly held with your dad and sister jointly or was held by sister alone. Hire a title insurance company to search the... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Kansas on
Q: “ I——- do solemnly swear that I will faithfully, impartially and to the best of my ability discharge all duties of my

Trust according to law as executor Of the last will and testament of—— deceased and I am acting on my own behalf and not on behalf of any bank or corporation which is not authorized to act as fiduciary in the

state. Does this mean I give up my right as executioner of the estate?

Scott C. Stockwell
Scott C. Stockwell
answered on Mar 19, 2024

The language you included in your question is standard language for the oath of an executor that has to be filed with the court before the named executor is issued letters testamentary that give the executor the power to act.

The language does not give up a named executor’s right to...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Elder Law and Probate for California on
Q: What can we do

Two weeks ago Grandmother was diagnosed with cancer when being released from the hospital her daughter came and got her moved her into her house and took her phone not allowing anyone to visit or call her my mother who is her other daughter was the one listed on her bank.accounts and insurances as... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 16, 2024

In California, if you're facing a situation where a family member is being isolated by another family member, there are steps you can take. First, it's important to communicate your concerns directly to the family member who is restricting access, if possible. Clearly express your desire... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Minnesota on
Q: I want to contest part of the will but I do not know how to contest in a probate case?

I'm a person with a disability the other people sent a letter saying they were going to submit both Wills to the court turned out they they did not they only submitted one so there are but I believe they are using the wrong will so that's why I want to contest. I think one of my other... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Mar 15, 2024

You will need a MN attorney to contest a Will filed for Probate. You may or may not have a cause of action. Obviously 2 Wills cannot be filed for Probate by the same proponent. But it sounds like you do not have either Will, which is a problem to probate the actual Will, and you must have... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law, Estate Planning and Probate on
Q: Do I need specail documentation for a living inheritance in florida?It is a financial inheritance

Do I have any tax implications I am Canadian

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 15, 2024

If you're considering setting up a living inheritance, commonly referred to as a living trust, in Florida, there are some important steps and requirements to be aware of. First and foremost, the living trust document needs to be in writing and should be properly executed: this includes being... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law, Tax Law and Probate for Colorado on
Q: If executor of estate sells house before transferring it to heirs, will it still receive stepped-up cost basis?

A woman died in January 2023 without a will. She had four children that are heirs to the estate according to Colorado intestate succession laws. The house was not transferred to the heirs prior to its sale in March 2024, but was sold on behalf of the estate by the executor (who is also one of the... View More

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Mar 15, 2024

Property owned by a decedent gets a step up (or down) to fair market value as of the date of death. That holds regardless of whether the property is distributed in kind to the heirs or is sold and then cash distributed to the heirs. the only difference is who pays the capital gains taxes, if any.... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law, Tax Law and Probate for Colorado on
Q: If executor of estate sells house before transferring it to heirs, will it still receive stepped-up cost basis?

A woman died in January 2023 without a will. She had four children that are heirs to the estate according to Colorado intestate succession laws. The house was not transferred to the heirs prior to its sale in March 2024, but was sold on behalf of the estate by the executor (who is also one of the... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 15, 2024

In this scenario, the house sold by the executor, on behalf of the estate, is still considered inherited property. Since the woman passed away without a will, the estate is handled according to Colorado's intestate succession laws. The property, even though not formally transferred to the... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Constitutional Law, Legal Malpractice and Probate for California on
Q: If I never signed a receipt, agreeing to my inheritance and releasing my attorney from liability, is this in my favor?

What can I do as the issue of my father, who was a predeceased beneficiary? Of my grandmother, I had assumed there was misconduct by my attorney during mediation. When I attempted to attend the final distribution hearing of my grandmother's estate, instead of attending, I was approached by... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 14, 2024

Based on the information you provided, it seems that there may be some irregularities in how your grandmother's estate was handled and how you, as a beneficiary, were treated. If you did not sign a receipt agreeing to your inheritance and releasing your attorney from liability, it could... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Probate for Wisconsin on
Q: How do I account for vendor's interest in a land contract when completing inventory of estate?

My father passed away and was the vendor in a land contract agreement with my aunt. There is nothing about survivorship rights in the contract. I need to inventory his assets for informal probate. How do I account for his interest in the land contract as a vendor at the time of his death? Is he... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Mar 14, 2024

The contract for deed is a chose in action which is personal property. It is an Estate asset, for which the fiduciary can sue on or be sued to enforce. Your lawyer should know this. Its value can be easily computed by the amount owed on the contract. The lessee Aunt has the risk of not... View More

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