My aged parents are planning to cash in all their stocks and put them into an account in my two brothers' names to reduce the amount of money payable in fees to the government upon their demise. They have told me, more or less, not to worry, and not to doubt the good intentions of my siblings. How to respond to this? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 10, 2011 - 30 answers

Is it normal to be asked to sign a Receipt of Beneficiary (and Consent to Discharge, and more) without receiving funds first? [more inside]
posted by cps on May 20, 2011 - 2 answers

Need advice on a legal matter. Not sure what type of lawyer I need. What type of lawyer handles this and do you have any recommendations? [more inside]
posted by Pleadthefifth on Jan 26, 2011 - 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 - 24 answers

My dad's accounts are designated POD (payable on death) to me. Is that overriden by his listing of those accounts in his total assets, which his will divides among me and others, and which will is going to take some time to execute? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 10, 2009 - 6 answers

I'm receiving a sizable inheritance in the form of stock from a deceased relative. However, there's fairly good evidence that the person who's managed the relative's affairs all these years (due to this relative being incapable of managing their own affairs) has intentionally sold a vast majority of that stock because they didn't want to draw down their own inheritance. If I contest this, though, there's a clause in the will that cuts my inheritance to $1. Do I take the stock that's offered me, or should I risk it on recovering the rest? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Mar 16, 2008 - 37 answers

Anyone know California probate laws. Heres a question. My father passed away with no will leaving me, and his other son as sole beneficiaries. However I was adopted by my step dad when I was 8(I'm 30 now) I guess he had a drug problem and couldn't do the dad thing. I did live with him as a baby, and my biological mom was married to the guy who adopted me. So do I still have claim to half the estate????????Only thing I found is probate code 6450, but not quite sure if it applies. I called a couple attorneys but they wanted $$ for consultation
posted by highgene on Jan 11, 2006 - 8 answers