Q: If a will is handwritten and signed by the testator, does it still have to be witnessed to be valid?
Q: What steps can be put into place to ensure an adult child, who makes poor decisions, will be secure after the death of the parent? The main asset is life insurance.
Q: If a person has a living will, why do they need a living trust?
Q: If a will is handwritten and signed by the testator, does it still have to be witnessed to be valid?
Q: My mother has made changes to her will by crossing out a couple of names and writing in new ones. She has initialed the changes. I think she should make a new will but she doesn’t want to spend the money because she thinks this enough. Should she make a new will?
Q: What can be done if a trustee refuses to give the beneficiary a copy of the trust and isn’t following it?
Q: Do you need an attorney to file a will?
Q: If I name both of my daughters trustees of my trust after my death, do they have to work together or can they each handle part of it?
Q: Our father passed away recently and we can’t locate his will. We know that he created one but we can’t find it. How can we get a copy of it? Can the bar association help us out?
I was in the Lake County Recorder’s Office recently and I met the county recorder for the first time. I’m a regular in the office so it’s a little surprising that I haven’t met the recorder sooner. She was working the counter with her staff which, I don’t mind saying, impressed the heck out …
Q: My husband and I are a common law couple. We own our home as husband and wife and have listed each other on our bank accounts. Is there anything else we should do?
Q: What is the difference between a power of attorney and a springing power of attorney?
Q: What’s the best way to find an attorney? Does the bar have a referral service? I would prefer not to ask my friends and family.
Q: We took a family vacation every summer with all of the kids and grandkids. When we die, can we set up a trust to pay for an annual family vacation so that the tradition can continue? Would we do that in our wills or do we need to draft a trust?
Q: Our wills say that our estates require unsupervised administration. What is an unsupervised administration and why is it better than other types?
Q: I’m going to schedule an appointment with an attorney. What should I bring with me to the meeting? Will the attorney give me a free consultation?
Q: If I give financial and health care power of attorney to my kids, does that mean that I can’t still do things for myself? I’m not ready to give up control yet.
I have a friend that I used to work with. We haven’t seen each other in many years but we stay in touch on Facebook, as people do these days.
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Q: You recently wrote that one way to leave money to grandchildren was to designate their parents as trustees until they turn 21. As we aren’t comfortable doing this, it was suggested that we let the personal representative handle it.
This week I had to be a witness in a trial. I had to make two different appearances and answer questions under oath. It wasn’t fun. I don’t do a lot trial work but when I’m in a court room I prefer to be at one of the tables rather than in the chair they provide to the witnesses.
Q: If a person sets up a trust, who owns the personal property? Does the trust automatically own it or does the person setting up the trust own it?
Q: When should probate be started after someone dies? How long will it take?
Q: My parents created a joint trust years ago. For some reason, when they transferred their home into the trust, they each kept a life estate interest. Dad has passed away and mom is moving into an apartment at a senior center. Is there anything special that I need to do to sell the home? Wh…
Q: My parents created a trust and I am the successor trustee. I’ve never done anything like this before. What are some of the things that I should know or be prepared for?
Q: Can a person use the power of attorney to distribute a deceased person’s property? For example, could I use it transfer my mom’s car after her death if she told me it was OK before she died?
Q: I’m a single man. I’ve never been married and I don’t have any kids. How badly do I need to plan? What if I want to leave it all to my nieces and nephews?