Get free answers to your Estate Planning legal questions from lawyers in your area.
He also left a life insurance to me that was to go to pay off mortgage. The Life insurance claim was denied. He has a large amount of money in bank acct he left to another family member. Can that money be used to help payoff mortgage?
answered on May 4, 2023
An insolvent estate is an estate where the debts exceed the assets. In other words, the estate is not going to have the ability to pay all of its creditors.
The question of whether money left to a specific beneficiary can be used to pay the debts of the estate (like the mortgage) is... View More 
My mom doesn't want to lose her home but wants to avoid a trust. She needs to apply for home health or assisted living but they told her she will need to sign her home over to them. Her home is paid off. If she can how should this be done with her miner grandson being under 18?
Thank... View More
answered on Apr 12, 2023
More than likely you mom's home will be vulnerable to Medicaid attachment. If she keeps the home, they can require her to turn it over to pay for her future care. If she transfers it, sells, quit claims it to her grandson, Medicaid will have a "lookback period" either 3 years or 5... View More
My aunts siblings have made no claim to the estate for several years but now that she is ill they are seeking to claim their inheritance from the sale of the house.
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Apr 6, 2023
The aunt has no heirs until she is dead. But a Court might order the sale of her titled property if she is under a conservatorship, etc. Hire a WA attorney to search the Title and advise as to possible actions. But you may have no standing.
I am seeking information on how to handle a probate concerning an estate, wills for my family. This involves a brother who passed on 2/5/2023 leaving without a will, a partner of 20 years and two sisters.
All will need wills and one a will update.
Sincerely
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 2, 2023
Consult with a WA attorney. Determine whether Probate is necessary first, then proceed .
answered on Jan 15, 2023
Maybe, but not necessarily. It depends on whether the deed was joint only, or joint with right of survivorship.
The property might still legally go to you under probate law depending on other facts.
Also, will the house be assessed at the time of my death so he won’t have to pay capital gains taxes, if he sells it?
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 31, 2022
The answer to your first question is yes, but ONLY IF the proper deed is executed and recorded. There are several types of deeds in Washington, so please consult an attorney who can explain the differences, so you can decide what is best for you and your partner.
The answer to the second... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Nov 17, 2022
Either a new will or a codicil will work. Conventional wisdom is a new will is better so that the codicil can't be separated from it and "disappeared" and for other reasons. Remember to destroy the old will and all copies of it after the new will is done, and also remember to... View More
answered on Oct 26, 2022
A Washington attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for four weeks. In simplest terms, gifts can't ordinarily be taken back. For a deeper analysis, attorneys who deal with trusts, estates, etc. are the most knowledgeable in this area. Good luck
The executor which is her brother Everett lawyer says the house needs to sell before I receive my money I don't think this is correct it doesn't state that in the will -will currently in Probate
answered on Sep 22, 2022
Hello estate heir. The probate attorney and executor may be correct. If the estate does not have liquid cash, may have to sell hard assets to fund the inheritance. But more important is the priority of distributions. First, creditors and claims, expenses, legal, accounting fees and bills.... View More
My dad has will that states upon his death his wife is allowed reside in the house for one year. About a month ago she left him. She moved out and got her own apartment. My dad was then put in a home. She was his main caregiver. She is now quoting the will saying she has the right to the house for... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jul 26, 2022
The answer does depend entirely on the wording of the will and also on whether the will is accepted for probate. If the will is accepted for probate and says what she says it does then, yes, she has the right to occupy the house for a year. Some attorneys draft rights of occupancy in such a way... View More
I now hear legislation requires all this be redone at additional fee of course. Is this accurate?
answered on May 25, 2022
Hi There,
I am always slightly concerned in dealing with dated documents. Particularly the Power of Attorney and Health Care Directive. The Uniform Power of Attorney Act came into effect in 2017 - as such, I often recommend that these documents be updated. However, of course, an attorney... View More
have her sign real quick before she dies?
answered on May 23, 2022
Yes, she can gift the house to her son with a Quit Claim Deed. She can also do a Transfer on Death Deed. Lastly, she can create a living trust with her son as beneficiary. All of these will avoid probate, but the Transfer on Death Deed gives you the most bang for the buck. I would seek an... View More
They don't Have the money to by them out on hand then they are forced to sell to. in most cases the one sibling is trying to keep the property above all.
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on May 5, 2022
It seems that way because the law does in fact favor the siblings who want to sell. The reason for that is it is untenable in the long run to force the siblings who want to sell to have to wait for their inheritance while the one who wants to occupy continues to live in the property, usually... View More
His partner at time of debts til present, knew he was borrowing money from me and also benefited from it. She also helped in lying about his living arrangements and conditions of bail for his 5criminal charges dealing with a minor. How do I collect this debt?
answered on May 4, 2022
Creditor, you may want to make a claim against the estate of the debtor and send written notice to the surviving partner. If the debt was in the company capacity, then the company should be responsible for paying. If the debt was made in his personal capacity, then his estate should pay for the... View More
The only heirs are me and my sister, she's in another state and cannot come down to washington. my dads house is paid off and I want to keep the house. my sister has agreed to sign a waiver to give me the house. Do I have to still go through probate? If I do, do I have to go through personal... View More
answered on Mar 16, 2022
Hi, Washington resident. Since this estate has real estate, you will have to go through probate. You make arrangements to keep the house, but there needs to be some funds to pay for the probate costs and possible tax return. Something has to be sold from the estate to proceed with paying for... View More
The bank says I need the death certificate (which I have) and a letter testamentary (which I do not have). There are only two heirs to consider, myself and my brother, and we are already in agreement on disposition. My father died in Texas (his state of residence) and I live in Washington state. I... View More
answered on Mar 7, 2022
Since your father resided in Texas and died in Texas, any action on his estate needs to happen under Texas law. I am licensed in both Texas and Washington. You can ask the bank if your father specified a "Pay on Death" beneficiary for the bank account. If so, they should release the funds... View More
I am the executor and sole beneficiary to my mother's estate. How do I transfer the deed to her house to my daughter?
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 26, 2022
Depending on the circumstances, probate may have to be initiated in order to properly transfer the property. A real estate lawyer can prepare a deed and tax affidavit which can then be executed and recorded. You may wish to contact an attorney who practices both real estate and probate to... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 26, 2022
She should contact the estate executor. If she doesn’t receive satisfactory answers, she may need to enlist the services of a probate attorney. An experienced probate attorney can represent her interests, and obtain valuable information about the estate. He or she can determine exactly what your... View More
I don't know the life tenant well, but they are not happy the property passes to me.
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 22, 2022
A real estate attorney can review the existing vesting deed and advise you.
I have a trust that is written some time ago by an attorney who is no longer alive.
Much have happened since, and the question is, at what point is a new trust for someone with an existing trust ("Restatement of Trust”?) is created rather than just a trust by the same name but with... View More
answered on Feb 3, 2022
This really depends on the nature of the trust and what property is in it. In general, if the trust has property in it restating the trust is best so that you update details in it.
And if the trust is a living trust and the grantor (if you made the trust and you are the trustee), it is... 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.
