My Dad lives alone in upstate NY, drives, is 85 and has Dementia. He has a pension, money in the bank and money with Ameriprise.

Whether he moves is up to him and you. Of course, you will be able to see him more often if he is on L.I. In either case, a Medicaid application...

Does my Mother's will need to be probated? Everything was left to my brother and me as beneficiaries.

There is no need to probate if everything is passed elsewise. Joseph A. Bollhofer, Esq. Joseph A. Bollhofer, P.C. 291 Lake Ave. St. James, NY...

My mother passed away and left a will stating that all of money be left to my sister and I. Her money was in a joint account.

This boils down to a question of intent. If the account states that they were joint tenants 'with right of survivorship', the burden would be on...

Mother passed away leaving a Living Will. Older sister is Executor. Sister hired an attorney to assist.

Sometimes things are done this way. It's a little sloppy and I can understand your concern. I would write to the lawyer with a copy to...

How do you decide what nursing home you go to when you're incompetent while competent?

I think the best way is to have a comprehensive power of attorney in place giving someone you trust the authority to determine the nursing home,...

CAN A ;ERSON DEEMED INCOMPETENT, LIKE MY GRANDMOTHER WRITE UP A NEW WILL , PURSUADED TO DO SO BY HER SON THE NEW POA

Whether a person is incompetent to sign a will depends on that person's level of awareness. The level is lower than it would be to sign...

I am voluntary administrator of my mom's estate. Can my brother register her car?

A voluntary administrator only has authority over those items listed in the application to the court, and for which the court issues letters...

Yes, the executor will be entitled to reimbursement for all such expenses. She would submit a final accounting of all transactions to...

Buying a home

Typically, no. The bank appraiser's opinion of the value of the house is just that, an opinion (although a professional opinion). It is possible...

Closing Problems

Although 30 days after the proposed closing date is not a firm rule, typically, each party is entitled to a 'reasonable adjournment' of...