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Can I Reaffirm and Keep Paying on a Current, Secured Property Loan in Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?

Technically, reaffirmation agreements are available only in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy cases.

However, in a Chapter 13 case, if a debtor wishes to retain property that is secured by a loan that is current, the Chapter 13 plan can provide that the loan will be paid through (or outside of) the plan. [ Read More… →]

Tags: Bankruptcy Questions  ·  May 15th, 2012

How is the Executor of a Will Replaced if the Person Named is Now Deceased?

The procedures to replace an Executor in a Last Will and Testament are dependent on state and local rules, and on the procedures that govern the particular probate court in your area. [ Read More… →]

Tags: Last Will and Testament Questions  ·  May 14th, 2012

If I Pay Off My Chapter 13 Plan Early, Am I Done?

In general, the full payment of the Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Plan should signal a final resolution of the case — unless the debtor’s income has increased significantly. [ Read More… →]

Tags: Bankruptcy Questions  ·  May 10th, 2012

Can My Ex Spouse Get My Pension if Most of My Work Was Done After the Divorce?

It is indeed possible that an ex spouse could be eligible to receive some portion of pension benefits earned during the time of a marriage, if the ex-spouse so petitions the court.

But it is not a good idea to respond to such a petition from the court on the matter unless you are fully versed in the law regarding the topic. [ Read More… →]

Tags: Divorce Questions  ·  May 8th, 2012

Is My Apartment Lease Valid if the Landlord Never Signed It?

In most states, the general rule is that any agreement regarding or pertaining to an interest in real property must be in writing and signed by the parties.

However, courts will often look to the conduct of the parties to see if there is a definitive agreement reached, even if the document in question has not been signed. [ Read More… →]

Tags: Lease Agreement Questions  ·  May 3rd, 2012

What is the Difference Between a General Power of Attorney and a Durable Power of Attorney?

There are some very important differences between the two types of Power of Attorney documents. [ Read More… →]

Tags: Power of Attorney Questions  ·  April 30th, 2012

How is the Mortgage on a Home Handled as it Relates to Distribution in a Will?

People often discuss the transfer of a home to the beneficiaries within a Last Will and Testament, but when a mortgage is still owed on that property the transfer of ownership must still address the amount owed. [ Read More… →]

Tags: Last Will and Testament Questions  ·  April 26th, 2012

Can a Member Managed LLC Be Transferred Into a Trust?

The owners of the Units of the member-managed Limited Liability Company can assign and transfer their Units of ownership to a Living Trust, so long as no agreement (or the operating agreement of the LLC) restricts such transfer.

If such a restriction exists, consent of all of the owners of the LLC would be required prior to the transfer into the Trust.

Tags: Limited Liability Company LLC Questions · Living Trust Questions  ·  April 25th, 2012

Am I Entitled to Will Assets from My Ex-Spouse if No Other Will Was Made Prior to Death?

Depending upon the jurisdiction in which a person lives, a Divorce or Dissolution done through a court could revoke the  Last Will & Testament document that existed during the marriage. [ Read More… →]

Tags: Last Will and Testament Questions  ·  April 25th, 2012

Does a Signed Quitclaim Deed Override a Different Distribution Outlined in a Last Will?

In most cases, a valid and signed Quitclaim Deed transferring property to a person other than the decedent “trumps” or supersedes the provisions of the decedent’s Last Will and Testament. [ Read More… →]

Tags: Quitclaim and Warranty Deed Questions · Last Will and Testament Questions  ·  April 24th, 2012

If I Have Power of Attorney for My Parent, Can I Transfer the Family Home to Myself and My Siblings?

Most “general” Power of Attorney documents have a specific provision about transferring property contained within them, granting the attorney-in-fact the ability to undertake such a property transfer process.

But if the language about being able to transfer property is not stated specifically in the document (and different POAs are drafted differently), then the attorney-in-fact most likely lacks the authority to transfer property. [ Read More… →]

Tags: Power of Attorney Questions · Quitclaim and Warranty Deed Questions  ·  April 23rd, 2012

Can I Be Forced to Sell My Home in Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?

If a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy has been filed and the Chapter 13 Plan that is submitted to the Bankruptcy Trustee provides that any overdue amount on the house will be paid through the Plan (along with at least a portion of other unsecured debts), then so long as the debtor remains current on the mortgage payments while making the payments agreed to under the Chapter 13 Plan, the Trustee will most likely not be permitted to force a sale of a house. [ Read More… →]

Tags: General Questions · Bankruptcy Questions  ·  April 20th, 2012

Are the Executor or Beneficiaries of an Estate Responsible for Any Debt Above the Value of the Assets?

Only the assets of the estate are used to pay debts incurred by the decedent.  Beneficiaries and the executor are not personally liable for such debts (unless they are co-debtors or have personally guaranteed the debts of the decedent in some way). [ Read More… →]

Tags: Last Will and Testament Questions  ·  April 18th, 2012

Must I Notify the Grantor of Power of Attorney When I Conduct Business or Make Inquiries on His Behalf?

Courts in most states hold the Attorney-in-Fact (the person granted the powers under the document) in a fiduciary capacity — in other words, the attorney-in-fact owes the person who gave the power of attorney (the grantor) a fiduciary duty. [ Read More… →]

Tags: Power of Attorney Questions  ·  April 12th, 2012

Can I File for No-Fault Divorce Using a Relative’s Address as I Fear Giving My Spouse My Current Address?

Standard Legal’s No-Fault Divorce legal forms software is intended to be used only in situations where both spouses have reached full agreement on the division of all assets, property and liabilities for the impending divorce.

So the nature of the question and the nature of the use of the legal forms software title are not in sync. [ Read More… →]

Tags: Divorce Questions  ·  April 10th, 2012

Can My Grandmother Move to Another State if Her Son Who Has Power of Attorney Says No?

The person creating a Power of Attorney document can still make his or her own life decisions. [ Read More… →]

Tags: Power of Attorney Questions  ·  April 9th, 2012

What Can I Do if My Sister Talked My Mother into Changing Her Will a Few Days Before She Died?

A legal action that can be used to contest the validity of any presented Last Will & Testament. [ Read More… →]

Tags: Last Will and Testament Questions  ·  April 4th, 2012

How Do My Spouse and I Transfer Our Home to Just One of Us if We are Considering Divorce?

Typically, a divorcing couple filing for No-Fault Divorce has two options in regard to jointly held real estate: [ Read More… →]

Tags: Divorce Questions · Quitclaim and Warranty Deed Questions  ·  April 3rd, 2012

What Must I Do to Make a Change to a Living Trust?

Once the initial Trust document is created, changes require either an Amendment or a Restatement (i.e. a new Trust). [ Read More… →]

Tags: Living Trust Questions  ·  March 29th, 2012

If We Just Moved, Must I Change and Register the New Address for Our Living Trust?

A Trust has no address per se. But real property must be held or titled in the name of the Trust. [ Read More… →]

Tags: Living Trust Questions  ·  March 28th, 2012