Are direct decendants (son and daughter) of a deceased person entitled to a copy of his Trust.?

Maybe. Direct descendant status alone is not sufficient to establish right to copy of trust. If you are beneficiary of trust, and trust has...

Property that was left in a trust now in escrow

If you are beneficiary of trust, you are entitled to copy of trust. Successor trustee required to provide the copy to you. If sister is successor...

Yes. There are time limits. Sibling and successor trustee owes fiduciary duty to all beneficiaries to timely administer trust. This includes...

Is it discriminatory or does a recently-widowed person have any recourse against banks for credit card credit-limit reductions?

Yes. Creditor may reduce credit line or cancel the credit card upon death of one of the holders. Check the underlying credit agreements. Mother...

How to appraise possessions in estate?

Hire an appraiser. There are appraisers for all of the assets you described. Yes. It is good practice to have items described appraised. Ebay...

Probate Homestead & surviving spouse

Distinguish the probate homestead from the marital homestead. The probate homestead in California was designed by legislature "...to provide a...

Maybe. Answer depends on nature and quality of friendship and ability of mediator to maintain neutral status.. In any event, you are entitled to...

What you have described happens more often than you might believe. Keep in mind that amount owed changes based on passage of time, additional...

IRA Investment rights as spouse

Excellent advice from Christine James and Ute Ferdig. Question involves crossover issues of family law, community property, federal ERISA law and...

I have lost everything i had betting on horses

Colleagues have provided excellent advice. Much more information needed to answer both questions.