Estate, Probate & Elder Law
Browse published legal information questions related to Estate, Probate & Elder Law.
What happens if the prenup says my spouse keeps the house but I paid for renovations?
In Connecticut, the answer usually depends on what the prenup actually says, how the renovation money was treated, and whether the agreement clearly addresses improvements to the home. If the prenup says one spouse keeps...
Can I challenge a will in Alabama if my sibling pressured my mother to change it?
In Alabama, a will may sometimes be challenged if someone believes the testator was pressured into changing it, but the legal issue is usually framed as undue influence rather than ordinary family conflict. Pressure, per...
How do I recover money from an old savings account my parents opened for me as a child?
If your parents opened a savings account for you as a child, the first question is usually whether the money is still in an active account, was closed out, or was transferred somewhere else. In general, the steps to reco...
Can I get child support if the father is paid in cash and says he has no income?
Yes, possibly. In Ohio, a parent’s child support obligation is generally based on income and other financial facts, not just what the parent says on paper. If a father is paid in cash, works off the books, is self-employ...
Do I have to provide probate documents to claim a deceased parent’s escheated funds?
In Rhode Island, you may have to provide probate documents to claim escheated funds belonging to a deceased parent, but the exact documents usually depend on how the property is being claimed and who is making the claim....
Can You Sue and Win Over a Parent’s Last-Minute Will Change?
A last-minute change to a parent’s will can sometimes be challenged in Oregon, but only if there is a recognized legal reason to do so. In general, a court does not overturn a will just because family members think the c...
Do I have to pay child support if my parental rights were terminated?
In general, termination of parental rights can change a parent’s future child support obligation, but it does not always erase every support-related duty automatically. In Montana, the effect usually depends on how and w...
What happens if my spouse bought a car during the marriage but titled it only in their name?
In Louisiana, a car bought during a marriage may still be treated as part of the marital property picture even if the title lists only one spouse’s name. Title alone does not always control ownership questions, especiall...
Is it legal for the court to order child support before paternity testing is finished?
In general, a court may be able to address temporary child support before paternity testing is fully finished, but that usually depends on the facts, the court’s procedures, and whether paternity has been legally establi...
Can a prenup keep my retirement account separate if contributions continue during marriage?
In New Jersey, a prenuptial agreement may be able to help keep a retirement account separate, but that does not automatically mean every dollar added during the marriage will stay separate. The answer usually depends on...
What happens if my name is misspelled on the state unclaimed property website?
If your name is misspelled on a state unclaimed property website, it usually does not mean the money or property is not yours. Unclaimed property databases often contain old, incomplete, or inconsistent records, so a spe...
Do I have to get consent from everyone before recording a family Zoom call about an inheritance dispute?
In Pennsylvania, the answer is often “it depends,” and the safest approach is usually to get consent before recording any family Zoom call. Video and audio recordings can raise privacy, wiretap, and trust issues, especia...
What happens if my spouse says they will quit their job to avoid support?
In Colorado, a spouse generally cannot control a support case simply by saying they will quit their job. If a court is asked to decide support, it usually looks at the parties’ actual financial circumstances, not just a...
Can I Dispute a Vet Bill After My Pet Died During Treatment?
In general, you may be able to dispute a veterinary bill after a pet dies during treatment, but the strength of any dispute usually depends on what happened, what was promised, what records show, and what the bill includ...
How do I prove an inheritance should not be divided in equitable distribution?
In Georgia, the basic question is usually whether the inherited property can be traced as separate property rather than marital property. In general, an inheritance received by one spouse may stay that spouse’s separate...