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My father in law is recently widowed after my mother law fought a 9 month battle with stroke complications. During the battle, an old family "friend" named Meg entered the picture to help out. Meg had ulterior motives and now has my father in law, and his considerable assets in her sights. What can we do to protect the family estate? [more inside]
posted by jasondigitized on Sep 5, 2024 - 20 answers

I'm a single middle aged woman with no children or assets. But I want to get my affairs in order. Easiest/cheapest way to do so? [more inside]
posted by greta simone on Jun 6, 2023 - 24 answers

I keep googling about this but every resource I find is the same level of vague (almost the same words) and this is way too tiny and stupid of a question to bother a lawyer about, so I'm hoping someone here knows. When an estate goes to probate in Ontario, the executor must notify the named beneficiaries. What types of 'notifications' are considered acceptable? Mail? Phone call? Something with a signature? [more inside]
posted by 100kb on Feb 27, 2022 - 3 answers

My partner has been named as a defendant in an Ohio estate lawsuit being brought by two of his aunts against one of their sisters, the deceased's caretaker. Partner is being pressured by the plaintiffs to sign paperwork to join their side. It is becoming a stressful situation for him and we could use some guidance about ramifications of any actions taken (or not taken). [more inside]
posted by table of malcontents on Jun 17, 2021 - 17 answers

Recommendation for an Executor for basic wills for a couple that live in NY state. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Feb 16, 2020 - 3 answers

Bob lives in Smallville, USA, population 2,000. He has no family, friends, or job, and he keeps to himself. He takes a trip to Metropolis, a thousand miles away, whereupon he dies and is found by the Metropolis police. What happens to his house? [more inside]
posted by ejs on May 6, 2017 - 12 answers

Hopefully a not super expensive one, who is trustworthy? Thanks in advance for your help!
posted by TenaciousB on Oct 20, 2015 - 3 answers

UK Estate Agents - worth taking a stand? [more inside]
posted by Marzipan on Nov 15, 2012 - 9 answers

Sold my old house: is it legal for the new owners to change the locks and start working inside the house prior to closing? [more inside]
posted by bolognius maximus on Sep 19, 2012 - 42 answers

Do my sister and I have to use the lawyer specified in my dad's will to handle his estate? More inside... [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Feb 13, 2012 - 8 answers

If I sign an agreement of early lease termination, am I barred from being able to seek further legal action against the landlord for medical issues my 20-month old daughter might encounter as a result of our living there? [more inside]
posted by Debaser626 on Feb 2, 2012 - 6 answers

some years back my father was re-married before his death. my father did not have a will in place and i am his only child. after his death the women he married ended contact with me sharing none of my fathers belongings etc. at the time i felt wronged, and as a young man i could not afford legal representation. many years (over ten) have gone by, and i have mostly moved on with my life trying not to think of these events, but there still is a bit of anger inside. as his only child and living blood relation is there any way legally that i can gain access to as much as old photographs, clothing, or whatever small momentos that remain in her custody?
posted by anonymous on Dec 3, 2011 - 10 answers

Probate mysteries? [more inside]
posted by silsurf on Feb 21, 2011 - 5 answers

i come from a very large family and some years back we purchased a home for our elderly mother. i being the youngest was stuck with the home in my name, but recently was offered a job in another country. i need to get out of this deal with my family and soon before i leave the country. is there any way i can hand over the deed to the next in line in my family without the hassle of selling to he or she? i am running out of time and need to do this quickly.
posted by anonymous on Dec 15, 2009 - 10 answers

Both of my wife's parents died. Her dad first in January, now her mom in September. My wife is the oldest child. No will was left. What do we do? [more inside]
posted by Bageena on Nov 18, 2009 - 23 answers

Our daughter was set to close on her first house tomorrow and to move in to her new home this weekend. Today at 4 PM, her real estate agent called. [more inside]
posted by WyoWhy on Nov 12, 2009 - 14 answers

Can you recommend a good (and reasonably priced) real estate lawyer in the San Francisco Area? [more inside]
posted by crayon on Sep 25, 2009 - 2 answers

Will they return my reservation fee? [more inside]
posted by LittleMissItneg on Jun 23, 2009 - 3 answers

How can I find a copy of an executed will from the 1960's? Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. [more inside]
posted by sandraregina on Dec 1, 2008 - 4 answers

What are the legalities involved in buying a house and then dismantling and removing it? [more inside]
posted by crazylegs on Sep 28, 2008 - 17 answers

This is a bit of a follow up to this question. I'm contemplating a small comics project staring a fictionalised version of HP Lovecraft (something I've done before but thsi will be slight higher profile) and the title will be something along the lnes of "H.P. Lovecraft's World of Weirdness". Is the use of his name in the title like that, which might imply some kind of authorship or endorsement or somesuch, likely to bring the Lovecraft estate down on me like a ton of bricks?
posted by Artw on Aug 26, 2008 - 7 answers

How do I find a good Real Estate Lawyer in Cedar Rapids, IA. [more inside]
posted by jpdoane on Nov 13, 2007 - 5 answers

A friend has been contacted by a private investigator who represents a "successional" or "probate" genealogist in Europe. I was very suspicious, perhaps because of the amount of entertaining Nigerian spam I've received, but at first glance things seem relatively legitimate. Is this a common thing, and what steps do one take to deal with it? [more inside]
posted by lackutrol on Mar 22, 2007 - 5 answers

I'm moving into a small condo and am wondering about the possibility of someday adding an extra room to my unit. According to Minnesota real estate law, am I allowed to add a room to an existing building as a condo owner? My real estate agent didn't seem to think so, but I'm looking for more clarification. Thank you.
posted by Ailla on Nov 3, 2005 - 8 answers

I need advice on how to select a competent, reasonably-priced estate attorney knowledgeable in Maryland probate law. Ancillary question: how important is it that he or she be a member of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel [more inside]
posted by mojohand on Apr 11, 2005 - 1 answer