How to Take Over a Deceased Parent’s Mortgage in Alabama
Disclaimer: This is general information, not legal advice. I am not a lawyer. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed Alabama attorney or your local probate court. Detailed Answer When the person who borrowed money to buy a house dies, the mortgage does not automatically disappear. In Alabama, taking over the mortgage and […]
Read article →Proving Paternity for an Inheritance in Alabama: What to Do When Dad’s Name Isn’t on the Birth Certificate
How to establish legal parentage in Alabama when a father’s name is missing from the birth certificate Disclaimer: This is educational information only and is not legal advice. For advice tailored to your situation, consult a licensed Alabama attorney. Detailed Answer — Overview and legal routes to prove parentage in Alabama If a father’s name […]
Read article →How to Become the Administrator of Your Sister's Estate in Alabama (Intestate Administration Guide)
Detailed Answer Short overview: If your sister died without a will (intestate) in Alabama, the probate court in the county where she lived handles her estate. To become the court-appointed administrator (sometimes called the personal representative or administrator of the estate), you must file a petition in that probate court, show you are an appropriate […]
Read article →How to Protect an Inheritance in Alabama When an Estate Is Contested
Protecting an Inheritance in Alabama When a Family Member Contests an Estate Detailed Answer — What to know under Alabama law Short answer: Under Alabama law, you can protect an inheritance by using proper estate planning (trusts, clear wills, beneficiary designations), by acting promptly when a probate begins, and by documenting your relationship and any […]
Read article →Notifying Heirs When Opening Probate in Alabama
Notifying Heirs When Opening Probate in Alabama Short answer: When you open probate in Alabama, you must notify interested parties (heirs and devisees) and creditors. Typical notices include: (1) notice of the petition to probate or to open administration; (2) notice of hearing(s) set by the probate court; (3) notice of appointment or issuance of […]
Read article →Finalizing Probate and Obtaining Authority to Sell Property in Alabama
Detailed answer — finalizing probate when a will is outdated and getting authority to sell real property in Alabama This answer explains, in simple terms, the practical steps you typically must take in Alabama to complete probate when the decedent’s will is outdated (for example, it doesn’t reflect later changes in property or beneficiaries) and […]
Read article →Selling a Deceased Parent’s Home with a Reverse Mortgage in Alabama: What to Do When the Lender Asks for Renunciation Letters
Selling a Deceased Parent’s Home with a Reverse Mortgage in Alabama Clear, practical steps to move a sale forward when the reverse mortgage servicer keeps asking for renunciation letters. Quick answer If your father had a reverse mortgage, the loan becomes due when he died. The lender (loan servicer) will want clear proof of who […]
Read article →If an Uncle Refuses to Renounce: Options to Become Personal Representative in Alabama
What to do if a named person refuses to sign a renunciation so you can serve as personal representative State law covered: Alabama probate practice Disclaimer This is general information only and is not legal advice. I am not a lawyer. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed Alabama attorney or contact the […]
Read article →First Steps to Identify Legal Ownership of Part of a Relative's Land in Alabama
Detailed Answer Start by running a title search at the county office that records property in the Alabama county where the land sits. In Alabama most deeds and conveyances are recorded at the county level (often in the office of the judge of probate or the county recorder), and the public record will show the […]
Read article →Alabama: What Happens to Joint Bank Accounts and Jointly Held Property When Someone Dies Intestate
How jointly held bank accounts and property are handled when someone dies without a will in Alabama Short answer: Ownership that is set up to pass on death (for example, joint tenancy with right of survivorship or tenancy by the entirety for spouses) generally passes automatically to the surviving owner(s) outside probate. Assets titled solely […]
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