What you are describing does sound like it would qualify as a Will. If it's signed, handwritten, and says you are to receive certain assets on his...

So a very typical estate plan for a married couple is to have a Bypass Trust and a Survivor's Trust, with 50% of the total estate in each sub-trust...

Both the prior attorney answers are good answers. I'll just add that there likely is a time limit for this type of claim. If the probate is still...

Is there a testamentary document that says where your step-father's assets should be distributed, such as a Will or Trust? If so, whatever that...

Based on your description, you, as trustee, distributed the home 50/50 to you and your brother when you signed the quit claim. What should have...

The trustee is required to follow the terms of the trust, so if the trust says you can stay there free of charge, you generally can do so. I will...

You're correct and the person telling you that you need Letters is wrong. I'd write them a letter, quote from the probate code section, and send...

The good news is you will just need one lawsuit. Jurisdiction over a trust is based on where the "principal place of administration" is occurring,...

Find an attorney who does probate litigation to look everything over. If the Trust just the estate needs to be split equally -- not the home...

You should just be able to send the entity holding the 401K a small estate affidavit, death certificate, and maybe complete the claim forms. Some...