Estate Planning
Can my stepmother adopt me while my birth mother is alive?
Dear Ms. Allison: My dad and stepmom are doing their new Wills. She wants to adopt me so there will be no problems with me being included in the inheritance. I have lived with them since I was 11, and now I am 19. My birth mother is not happy with this at all. Is…
Read MoreHow to make my Aunt probate my Mom’s Will
Dear Ms. Allison: My mother passed away in 2003. Her sister, my aunt was living with her. Mom has three other siblings–there were 5 of them all together. At any rate, after all this time, my mother’s estate has still not been distributed; at least not to anyone’s knowledge. My aunt has not shown the…
Read MoreWhy did my uncle get the lake house when my dad left his half to me?
Dear Ms. Allison: In his Will, my dad left me his house and his half of the lake house he bought with his brother. Everyone has heard him talk about this for years before he died. Turns out though, my uncle got 100% of the lake house before probate even started. What’s going on here?…
Read MoreWould Your Online, Homemade Will Hold Up In Court?
More Americans are doing their wills online due to COVID-19. However, that can cause problems when you go to probate. We explain the problems and how to address them.
Read MoreEstate Planning in a Time of Coronavirus
Facing death from Coronavirus causes many to rethink making an estate plan. At least do the basics described here.
Read MoreAre siblings from 1st marriage entitled to estate after 2nd spouse inherits?
Dear Ms. Allison: How can 4 siblings get a copy of our deceased father’s will after leaving everything to his 2nd wife who just died? An adult sibling by his 2nd wife is the executor of their estate. The first 4 siblings are no blood relation to his 2nd wife and were not adopted by…
Read MoreIf spouse dies can 2nd wife stay in jointly owned house?
Dear Ms. Allison: I am my husband’s second wife. If my spouse dies and the house is in both of our names and I pay the mortgage on time, can I stay? My husband owned this house with his first wife, who passed 2014. He and I got married last month. Now he is putting…
Read MoreHow to leave my grandson property that can never be sold?
Dear Ms. Allison: How do I leave my grandson some property that has been handed down through generations, but can never be sold. I inherited my great grandfather’s land, but it can never be sold, so I don’t know how to pass it on. Anonymous in Pontotoc County Dear Anonymous: You do not say why…
Read MoreHow Will I Care For My Pets If I Die Before They Do?
Dear Ms. Allison: My grandma is 98 years old and has a very spoiled, much loved dog. Fuzz is the 6-year old puppy of Grandma’s favorite poodle, Peaches, which lived to be 17 years old. She figures Fuzz will outlive her and she may be right. She wants me to take the dog, but my…
Read MoreHow much does a Will Cost?
Dear Ms. Allison: What is the minimum cost of writing and recording a Will? PS in Oklahoma City Dear PS: No one can tell you the cost to write a Will until she or he knows how complicated your estate matter is. Anyone who tells you you are getting a Will for $X before they…
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