Since I am a lawyer (though of course, not your lawyer, and not his lawyer), a family member asked if I could help him with some issues regarding a durable power of attorney (NY State). Unfortunately, I'm not a trusts & estates lawyer, so I need some direction as to what I should look at and consider in order to let him know whether he should consult a lawyer with that expertise. I know you're not my lawyer, and I'm not seeking your legal advice. [more inside]
posted by Caz721 on Jan 30, 2009 - 5 answers

Relative C receives power of attorney over Relative A. Relative C wants to change the will. Relative A, on her good days, agrees. Their lawyer won't let this happen, claiming conflict of interest. What to do? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 8, 2008 - 18 answers

my friend invests a lot of his money in energy and oil trusts. typically these trusts pay a dividend per share every month...and so they tend to average higher yields than most regular stocks. PWE is one of them. im considering putting money into an energy trust, but i want to know if the buzz is legit. somebody write back...
posted by locoindio on May 6, 2008 - 4 answers

Is helping family from New York prepare wills and trusts the "unauthorized practice of law" if I'm an attorney from a different state? [more inside]
posted by pikaboy202 on Dec 6, 2007 - 7 answers

If a person has a trust and then dies, does the executor HAVE to disperse the assets as instructed in the trust/will? What's to stop him from just keeping everything, or rearranging the distribution? I was recently left a piece of property, but I am worried the executor (my brother) will try to sell the property to pay the estate taxes rather than dipping in the brokerage account (which was left to him). Or would there be another, separate account dedicated to paying the estate taxes? My brother is not entirely honorable about these things, and the brokerage account far exceeds the value of the house. Does anyone know how much latitude he has?
posted by anonymous on Nov 6, 2007 - 11 answers

Please help me make a proposal to my family about the fate of my parents’ home that is equitable and reasonable and doesn’t make me seem like a greedy jerkface. [more inside]
posted by tristeza on Apr 6, 2007 - 24 answers

What can I do to continue recieivng SSI and Medicaid benefits if I received a lump sum insurance proceeds? [more inside]
posted by pikaboy202 on Mar 6, 2007 - 11 answers

Would a member know what is considered a reasonable and just fee acting as a legal Executor for a person's Estate in the State of Florida? Is there a web site that would provide an estimate of Executors fees handling the disposition of a Florida Living Trust? Thank you.
posted by Mckoan1 on Dec 18, 2006 - 2 answers

Forgiving or otherwise reducing Maw's debts? [more inside]
posted by Mutant on Jul 25, 2006 - 5 answers

Setting up a financial trust for Maw? [more inside]
posted by Mutant on May 6, 2006 - 5 answers