Dear Ask Dennis: I own a house as the result of being the sole surviving joint tenant. One of my brothers is threatening to put the property into probate (our parents were the other joint tenants, they are both deceased.) what would happen to him if he tried that? J. C. Dear J. C.: That is a very interesting question. Unfortunately, in order to answer it I need to ask you some questions. What was the mental condition of your father or mother at the time the joint tenancy deed was … [Read more...] about Ask Dennis about Joint Tenancy Deeds
Ask Dennis about Financial Elder Abuse
Dennis: My husband's father died 6 years ago. His sister sold his home, my husband received nothing from the sale. It sold for approximately $440,000. She lived in the house approximately 8 yrs free of charge after placing their father in a nursing home. My husband was supposed to have a medical trust fund but we were recently informed there was not one. There was no money for his medical needs. Two weeks later when I finally was able to make contact with her she informed me she would be … [Read more...] about Ask Dennis about Financial Elder Abuse
Ask Dennis Sandoval about a Power of Attorney
Dennis: My sister and I are joint power of attorney for an incapacitated aunt. Her condo will be going up for sale. My sister sold and donated some of her house items, jewelry and furniture. She and my mother took the money for what was sold. Are they entitled to this? Doesn't the money need to go into my aunt's bank account? If they kept the items from her house like jewelry are they allowed? If they don't sell it what do they do with it? Also, I am the executor of the will but I don't think … [Read more...] about Ask Dennis Sandoval about a Power of Attorney
Ask Dennis
Hello Dennis, My father in law appears to be getting dementia and his son needs to make decision. He lease an apartment and he wants his son to be able to make decision regarding rental, handling his bank accounts and medical issues. Will a Durable power of attorney be enough. Or does he need to be a Conservator? Thank you for your time. L. B. Dear L.B.: If your father-in-law has sufficient mental capacity at this time to execute a financial power of attorney, that would be an … [Read more...] about Ask Dennis
Riverside Elder Law Attorney Quoted in USA Today Dementia Article
Riverside elder law attorney Dennis Sandoval was quoted in a recent USA Today article entitled Families' Best Defense for Dementia is Early Planning. In the article attorney Sandoval describes his law firm's involvement as the court appointed attorney in a contested conservatorship proceeding for famous rhythm and blues singer Etta James. … [Read more...] about Riverside Elder Law Attorney Quoted in USA Today Dementia Article
Two years after his death, Prince’s estate remains unsettled
Probate of Prince's Estate Drags On Now two years after Prince's death, his estate remains a mess. With estimates of a value in excess of $200 million, the IRS and executor Comerica Bank don't look any closer at agreeing to a value for the estate or the amount and the timing of payment of estate taxes. Comerica and its attorneys have already been paid $5.9 million with a pending request for another $2.9 million in fees. That doesn't include fees for accountants, appraisers, attorneys for the … [Read more...] about Two years after his death, Prince’s estate remains unsettled
Queen of Soul Dies Without An Estate Plan
Queen of Soul Dies Intestate Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, passed away at the age of 76, the victim of advanced pancreatic cancer at her home outside of Detroit. Her family released the statement: “In one of the darkest moments of our lives, we are not able to find the appropriate words to express the pain in our heart. We have lost the matriarch and rock of our family. The love she had for her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins knew no bounds.” Documents filed by … [Read more...] about Queen of Soul Dies Without An Estate Plan
Vietnam Veterans With Certain Diseases Have Easier Time Claiming Disability Benefits
Eligibility for Veteran's Disability Benefits Veterans who have a disability related to their time in the service may be entitled to disability benefits. An example could be a gunner who now suffer from loss of hearing and tinnitus. The severity of the disability will result in the rating of disability. Some disabilities may only be rated at 10% or 20%, whereas other disabilities might be rated at 80% or complete disability. A veteran might also have many disabilities that when combined … [Read more...] about Vietnam Veterans With Certain Diseases Have Easier Time Claiming Disability Benefits
Michael Jackson’s Estate Sues ABC and Disney
Michael Jackson's estate has sued Disney and ABC alleging that they have violated numerous copyrights owned by the estate in the making and airing of the ABC News documentary, The Last Days on Michael Jackson in May. The lawsuit claims that ABC featured the songs "Billie Jean," "Beat It," "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough," and several other Jackson songs during the documentary without permission. It also claims the documentary included music video, footage of the live performances of the … [Read more...] about Michael Jackson’s Estate Sues ABC and Disney
Riverside Estate Planning Attorney Speaks at Business Owners Workshop
Only about one-third of small businesses successfully transition from the first generation to the second generation and virtually none transition from the second generation to the third generation. Why is that? That is one of the topics that tax and estate planning lawyer Dennis Sandoval will educating the attendees of the Riverside Business Owners Workshop on June 7, 2018 about. The workshop will be from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm at the Canyon Crest Country in Riverside. Dennis will be also speaking … [Read more...] about Riverside Estate Planning Attorney Speaks at Business Owners Workshop
