An e-mail may be admissible in evidence if a party can establish a hearsay exception and authenticate the communication. Hearsay is an out-of-court statement a party wants to introduce into evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted. If made by a party, an e-mail may qualify as a party... Read more »

Your question does not provide enough information for anyone to provide an answer. For example, we do not know if your husband is still alive or deceased. Either way, however, we also cannot see the precise language by which those bequests were made. The precise wording matters. For example, if... Read more »

Your neighbors are wrong. Giving away your property means giving away your property. It is your son’s property from that date, and he can put you in a nursing home or begin renovations immediately once it is his. The fee cheaper solution is a simple will drafted by a lawyer. If there are other... Read more »

It is difficult for me to understand your question as written, but, in any event, there is no way to analyze your situation in any usable manner without reviewing your finances, the trust, and your state's Medicaid law. There are often means to qualify for Medicaid using special needs trusts,... Read more »

A will may be modfied with a codicil. Most attorney advise against the use of a codicil for various reasons. As it requires the same formalities as a will, the testator is often better off by simply writing a new will.

A trust may be modified in accordance with its terms, or, in certain... Read more »

In my opinion lawyers who focus on one area of the law shouldn't dabble in areas of law they aren't familiar with. It can breed malpractice claims.

There are a lot of missing pieces in your short question. I suggest you consult an experienced probate law firm for a consultation... Read more »

There is no competent way such specifics can be resolved in an Internet forum outside of privilege and without reviewing the trust documents. Start with a lawyer in your state, and, if it turns to litigation, you might need counsel that has jurisdiction over the trust or the trustee in California... Read more »

Interesting issue. His daughter plainly has standing, and you are surely eligible to be her next friend. But, let's start simpler by approaching this through the need you have. If he has an estate, are his parents filing it? You don't need the death certificate if they get it unless... Read more »

Wow. You probably did a very stupid thing by not stepping in. In a foreclosure, the secured and foreclosing party will bid as much but not more than what is called the upset price. That is the amount they are owed after fees and expenses. In a very hot market, especially with all the many varieties... Read more »

Take the net proceeds of the sale and add back the amounts of the judgements that were paid, then divide that sum by the number of equal shares. Each beneficiary’s share is that quantity less the amount of judgements paid on his or her behalf.

Without Probate, the Will means nothing. Any of the Heirs as Tenants In Common can file a Partition action.

The answer depends on a number of issues, but, at least theoretically, you already own the property subject to the estate’s need to sell it to pay creditors. What you need to do is determine the liquidity of the estate and the complete title to the property, and, if you share title, determine the... Read more »

Almost all contracts are verbal, either oral (spoken) or written. A last will and testament requires certain formalities, as does a revocable or irrevocable trust. Both must be in writing and signed. In spite of the absence of a written will, trust, or contract, in some instances a court can... Read more »

A living will is an advance medical directive. It contains instructions for medical care if the principal becomes incapacitated.

I will assume you mean a will and I will assume that your aunt resides in Virginia, although you appear to be posting from Maryland.

Once your aunt... Read more »

Section 64.2-528 of the Code of Virginia sets out the order in which debts are to be paid when assets in the personal representative's possession are not sufficient to pay all debts and demands. This is known as an insolvent estate. Funeral expenses are third priority, after costs and... Read more »

A life insurance policy payable to the estate should be deposited in the estate account. The personal representative of the estate should have opened an estate bank account and obtained a taxpayer identification number for the estate. The personal representative must qualify through an... Read more »

Have you asked your siblings or (step-)mother or other relatives if there is a Will or someone is filing probate? Did he have assets, and should you file as Administrator? A consult with a lawyer discussing your situation might be helpful, and, if that lawyer opens the estate, you’ll be repaid... Read more »

Set up a trust. It won’t be hard, but it’s not a DIY project. Get Virginia counsel.

There are often opportunities for tax savings as well as better planning in this sort of setting, but much depends on what the trust says. I see you are across the border in York, PA. I can refer you to someone, but you need a Pennsylvania admitted trusts and estates lawyer.

If a fiduciary mis-handles an estate, then having them pay improperly handled money and property is technically called a 'surcharge' and is suing on the bond. That statute is ten years - see Virginia Code 8.01-245, here: https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title8.01/chapter4/section8.01-245/.