My parents have a life estate set up for their home and cottage naming my brother and I remainder beneficiaries since Aug 2013. We are currently wondering if we remove my name from one estate and his name from the other estate, does that have consequences for the Medicaid look back dates, starting the 60 months over? Is there a legal way to separate and protect the 2 estates? ANSWER BY MARGARET CROSS-BELIVEAU: Remaindermen gifting to
I have been on disability for 22 years. My father told me I did not need to file my taxes. I filed my taxes this year because I have a six-year-old who I’ve never claimed and I claimed myself and her, And my father would like me to amend my tax return. He has tried to get power of attorney without my knowledge from me and hes been claiming my daughter and myself for years and
My mother sold my childhood home to my brother for $1 to avoid losing her home if she went into a nursing home. She claims that there was a contingency that the home would be left to all four of her children upon her death and that it is in her will. Is that even possible? Doesn’t my brother own the home outright and have no legal obligation to share it with us? ANSWER BY MARGARET
Expired Notary Public commissioned date. ANSWER BY MARGARET CROSS-BELIVEAU: The notary must be current at the time of the notarization. If it isn’t, then it is the same as it not being notarized. Sorry, you’ll have to have it done again. Follow us on Facebook Follow us on LinkedIn Legal Disclaimer: Please note that this answer does not constitute legal advice, and should not be relied on since each situation is fact specific, and it is
I am trying to sell her home and was told by the realtor that I had to go through probate. I am in her will ANSWER BY MARGARET CROSS-BELIVEAU: The realtor is correct. A will doesn’t avoid probate, it just directs where the deceased’s assets are to go after death during the probate process. Follow us on Facebook Follow us on LinkedIn Legal Disclaimer: Please note that this answer does not constitute legal advice, and should
My sisters and I own 16 acres in Pennsylvania that was willed to us by our grandfather. I am the majority owner holding 65%. I am currently living in a trailer on the property and pay 100% of the property taxes. The trailer is not in great shape and I am looking to purchase a new double wide. Will I be able to get a mortgage? ANSWER BY MARGARET CROSS-BELIVEAU: That is a question that you
My bank account is a living trust. and my only asset. It is under $70,000. I am the trustee. I have a corresponding will. How do I change beneficiaries? ANSWER BY MARGARET CROSS-BELIVEAU: You can amend your trust to change the beneficiaries of your trust. The trust only controls assets held by the trust. Normally the corresponding will is a pour over will which means that if there are any assets held outside the trust going
My son hasn’t talked or bothered with me in many years. I have granddaughter 6 years old who doesn’t even know who I am. He had another baby I never also met. He has no respect and is not blood anymore. I like to have him change his last name to his wife’s name. I want nothing to do anymore. I’m very sick and don’t even know my son in over 10 more years. ANSWER BY
I am older than my wife and I have substantial credit card debt that I don’t want her to be responsible for after I am gone. ANSWER BY MARGARET CROSS-BELIVEAU: Unless your wife agrees to is, she is not responsible for your debts, only your estate is. So put all of your property in her name and your creditors can’t touch her after your death. She will need to do her own estate planning so that
My siblings and I were bequeathed a summer cottage in Rhode Island when our father passed away. While we technically own the structure, we rent the property (to use from May to October). As per the campground owner’s stipulation, only one sibling’s name can be on the lease. This makes us nervous, since if that sibling died or divorced, their spouse might feel entitled to a portion of the cottage, not to mention, there is no
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