Questions answered by Maret Thatcher Smith

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I live in portland oregon my mother passed and left me the house i am the only family member alive and how do i sell the house?

Maret's answer | Answered on November 13, 2014

I'm sorry for your loss. Contact a probate attorney in the city or general area where your mother passed. An attorney can determine whether...

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Oregon Small Estate Laws

Maret's answer | Answered on October 22, 2014

Generally when a person leaves no will and the assets aren't directed to specific people, the money will pass to their children. It sounds like a...

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I own land left to me in a will, not with my name as the beneficiary on the deed.

Maret's answer | Answered on October 15, 2014

Generally probate would be done where the land is located, but there are some exceptions. As far as "financial assistance" many probate attorneys...

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Mother passes away and left power of attorney to 14 year boyfriend. He has not produced documents to support this.

Maret's answer | Answered on September 17, 2014

Get an attorney involved sooner than later. The power of attorney he may have had during your mother's lifetime terminates at her death. Finding...

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What does it mean when a paper says that the guardianship is closed, but the guardian is not released?

Maret's answer | Answered on September 17, 2014

I agree with my colleagues, it could mean a number of things. If a person in a guardianship for minority reaches the age of majority and there is...

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When an heir dies during a probate procedure who gets there potion he had know spouse or children

Maret's answer | Answered on September 09, 2014

If your father had a will with a provision that says the beneficiaries must survive by a certain number of days, it may revert back to your...

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My stepmother filed a small estate affidavit and did not list me as an heir. What can I do?

Maret's answer | Answered on September 08, 2014

You should talk to a lawyer to see whether it is worth it to initiate (for lack of a better term) full probate to see that all probate assets are...

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Can a living trust be done without a lawyer or is it more safe to use a lawyer to draw up the paperwork and get it done right?

Maret's answer | Answered on September 04, 2014

There's a saying I'm sure you've heard--if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. $3,000 for an attorney's advice and a revocable living...

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Pour over will and waving bond in probate

Maret's answer | Answered on September 04, 2014

Let's step back and get some basics first. A will governs the "probate property" and the trust governs the "trust property." If everything the...

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When purchasing a home with a promissory note and deed of trust, what documents are required from the seller to complete?

Maret's answer | Answered on August 25, 2014

I'll be the first to admit there are many areas of law that the layman can do themselves--purchasing real estate is NOT one of them (especially...

Maret Thatcher Smith's Answers (54)

I live in portland oregon my mother passed and left me the house i am the only family member alive and how do i sell the house?

Oregon Small Estate Laws

I own land left to me in a will, not with my name as the beneficiary on the deed.

Mother passes away and left power of attorney to 14 year boyfriend. He has not produced documents to support this.

What does it mean when a paper says that the guardianship is closed, but the guardian is not released?

When an heir dies during a probate procedure who gets there potion he had know spouse or children

My stepmother filed a small estate affidavit and did not list me as an heir. What can I do?

Can a living trust be done without a lawyer or is it more safe to use a lawyer to draw up the paperwork and get it done right?

Pour over will and waving bond in probate

When purchasing a home with a promissory note and deed of trust, what documents are required from the seller to complete?