Posts by galeallison
Can a Successor Trustee sell or give away property left to the original beneficiary?
Dear Ms. Allison: At first, my mom was trustee over my grandma’s will and estate. After some time of my mom was not upholding her duties as trustee (due to personal problems and sadness and depression). She had to sign over her rights to her sister, my aunt, who then became trustee. In her Will…
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 More10 Things to know about Filing Estate and/or Trust Income Tax Returns!
I get many questions about estate taxes, especially after the executor or trustee has struggled through preparing them and found that it is not the “walk in the park” they thought it would be. Filing your own income taxes can be such a headache! But if you became the Executor, Personal Representative or Administrator (aka…
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 MoreCan I get half of my dead father’s assets?
Dear Ms. Allison: My father died in October of last year. He did not have a will. But my sister said that he left everything in her name. If my sister was left everything when my dad died, can I still get half of his assets? She got his $200,000.00 home & most of his…
Read MoreWhat is the difference between Executors, Personal Representatives and Estate Administrator
Dear Ms. Allison: I am confused. My grandad asked me to be his Executor but when I looked it up online, some people call it an Executor and others say Personal Representative. There are also articles that say Estate Administrator. Some articles use all three. The duties look the same or pretty close. Are these…
Read MoreDo I need a lawyer to probate a will on a small estate in Oklahoma?
Dear Ms. Allison: I am probating my mother’s will. Do I need a lawyer to probate a will on estate less than $100,000 in Oklahoma? Anonymous in Woods County, OK Dear Anonymous: Legally, no, a lawyer is not required for this. Wisely, yes, yes, yes! You can figure it all out – if you are…
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 MoreWhere to get a petition to challenge an Oklahoma Will?
Dear Ms. Allison: Where can I get a petition to challenge a Will from the state of Oklahoma? GH in Northern Oklahoma Dear GH: There are legal things that very intrepid people (those willing to educate themselves with lengthy research) can do for themselves. Drafting a petition for a Will contest is not one of…
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