Questions & Answers

Can workers compensation put a lien on law suit money ?

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: I’m on workers compensation and I’m suing the people responsible for it. Is workers compensation entitled to some of the money? ANSWER BY MARGARET CROSS-BELIVEAU: Yes, worker’s compensation is entitle to recover money it advanced to you.  Your attorney may be able to negotiate a lien reduction. 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

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Stepmother did a lady bird deed to her son and cut us right out of the will . 2 weeks after fathers death

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: My dad passed away in 2014 . He had a will and stepmom had a will both basic mirror wills . My dad actually gave me copies of both and it named me executor in both of there wills . Before my dads death he called me up very upset he lived in Florida said I’m going to my bank and changing you to beneficiary . He said stepmom and stepson are aggravating him

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How does a living trust work?

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: I spoke to an elder care attorney about my mother going into a nursing home. I told him I have POA, healthcare surrogate and Will with me as executor. I had concerns about my mother’s home. My sister has been caring for her in our mother’s home for 4 years. She has Alzheimer’s and it’s time for her to be in a nursing home. He advised me what paperwork to get together and that

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Does my grandmother have any right to clear out my father’s house & keep what she wants?

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: My father recently passed away. He had a seizure, hit his head multiple times & was unconscious for 5 days before he passed away. My grandmother was notified when he was in the hospital the 1rst day. She didn’t call me or my brother’s until the 2nd day. By then the hospital gave her my father’s personal things ie keys, wallet etc. She went into his house & cleaned it out while he was

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Can I get reimbursed? My ex-wife is paying the mortgage late intentionally?

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: I divorced my wife 3 years ago. The judge awarded her full custody and residency (not ownership) of my home, even though my name (only) is on the mortgage loan. My ex has paid the mortgage late over the past two years, hurting my credit and has now moved out of the home. It appears she will try to let the home go into foreclosure, while still trying to make it appear that she

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What can I do if the executor of a will is refusing to follow the wishes in the will?

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: My mother left her estate to her 5 daughters equally. (per her will). The executor, one of the daughters, is not executing her wishes. She will not even speak about it. She did not tell us about the will. We found out by writing several lawyers in town. It has been over 2 months since our mother passed. She (the executor) has all ready taken property out of the house which was supposed to

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Selling a house in probate in Massachusetts

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: I understand there is a year for creditors to submit claims to the estate. Does this mean the heirs have to wait a full year to sell the house? Thank you! ATTORNEY ANSWER BY MARGARET L. CROSS-BELIVEAU: Yes, you may sell the house during probate.  In order to pass a clean title to the buyers, a formal probate proceeding is required.  Unless the will has specifically waived the requirement, the personal representative will need

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How would i get q legal god mother for my two children if anything ever happens to me i am not relgous at all?

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Just want to make sure if anything is to ever happen to me that my kids will be able to stay together and be taking great care of. ATTORNEY ANSWER BY MARGARET L. CROSS-BELIVEAU: A Godparent is a religious designation, not a legal one.  You wish to appoint a guardian.  In order to do so, you should execute a will. Legal Disclaimer: Please note that this answer does not constitute legal advice, and should

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During divorce proceedings, can a person who was placed as an executor of real property use or sell that property?

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Land was purchased during the marriage and put into a trust for the children. The wife was placed as the executor. They are now divorcing and the husband is concerned that the wife will sell the property, in part or in whole, to fund her part of the divorce. ATTORNEY ANSWER BY MARGARET L. CROSS-BELIVEAU: Wife was named as a Trustee of a trust.  As a trustee, she has fiduciary responsibilities to follow the

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What should I do with a municipal bond that is part of an estate and cannot be redeemed?

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: I am the court appointed personal representative of the estate of my mother. This concerns a bond entitled, “Port Authority of the City of Saint Paul Industrial Development Revenue Bond Series 1988-F” This bond, which matured in 1988, has a face value of $5,000, but is no longer redeemable. The projects the bond supported never generated enough income to redeem the bonds, due to the real estate ”bust” of the 1980’s. After five years

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