Do i need an estate lawyer?

Usually when people ask if they need a lawyer, they do. Sounds like you do. Not providing notice of the opening of the estate to you would be...

Does my brothers adult, non-dependent son have any right to contest his will?

General principle: a child doesn't have a right to an inheritance, i.e., a parent is not obligated to give anything to their children. A surviving...

Can the Executor decide to give things to others who are not beneficiaries, claiming that the deceased requested this?

Sounds like you need a bit of advice. The beneficiaries are the ones who get the property in teh will. To the extent that the items are of an...

Power of Attorney

Can you clarify your question - you are looking for the powers of attorney of a specific person? What is your relation to this person?

Probate should not be necessary - it should be able to be moved to the successor owner without probate.

Durable Power of Attorney signed. Sick Parent. Next steps?

You may want to seek the help of a CA probate/estates attorney so that you make sure you carry out your duties properly. Every state has different...

Main decisions to be made in writing a will? Good website to use in writing my own?

I agree with Mr. Ashman wholeheartedly. You may think lawyers have an interest in telling people not to do it themselves, and that's somewhat...

I'm a beneficiary in an estate trust which allows trustees to charge the trust for "reasonable" expenses.

You are doing this pro se (without a lawyer)? That's your first mistake. Do yourself a favor and hire a NY lawyer.

Is it too late to do anything about a quitclaim deed my uncle gave to his son and left my mother's children out?

It probably has been too long but see a lawyer anyway. I will note however your statement about the notary is probably misguided: While I...

My dad died and there is 155,000 loan on house can i still live there or can they come in and take my dads things for repayment

A heck of a lot more facts are needed to really give you an answer but you should sit down with a probate attorney to review the situation. If...