Posted on May 19th, 2010
The Georgia Supreme Court today ruled against a daughter born out of wedlock who felt entilted to part of her father’s will.
The father left his inheritance to his two lawful children, which did not include the woman who brought the suit.
The court voted 5 to 2 against the daughter’s claim, ruling that under old Georgia law, illegitimate children are not “lawful.”
Justice Hugh Thompson, who dissented against the majority vote, wrote that the decision takes a “giant step backwards” in the development of biological children’s rights.
The ruling goes against general legal precedent in the state, wherein most children born outside of marriage have been recognized legally. This precedent may be changed following the court’s ruling.
For more information about estate law, contact the Houston estate planning lawyers of Garg & Associates, P.C., at 281-210-0010.
Posted on May 14th, 2010
According to police, the Lincoln firm Willmakers Of Distinction failed to contact two of three beneficiaries in a client’s will. Money left by a 96 year-old Birmingham man, totaling roughly 120,000 British pounds, was meant to split between his last living U.K. relative, a friend, and a neighbor. However, the executors of the state never distributed the money to either his friend or neighbor, and never informed them that they were included in his will.
In the court proceedings, it was revealed that this was not an isolated incident. A Chapel St. Leonards widow failed to receive her 3000 pounds that was left behind from her husband’s death in 2004. Instead, she was left responsible for the 2000 pounds it cost for his funeral.
Two employees from Willmakers Of Distinction have admitted guilt, while one continues to deny allegations of theft.
Although this case seems distantly in England, the reality of entrusting a will-maker with your estate is universal. Contact the Houston personal estate lawyers of Garg & Associates, P.C., at 281-210-0010. Put the future of your property in the right hands with the help of an experienced attorney today.
Posted on May 4th, 2010
According to police reports, a 39-year-old Waipahu man is in police custody after using a large wooden stick to attack his two sisters during an argument Sunday.
Police believe the dispute arose from ambiguity over the siblings’ family inheritance.
The man’s two sisters told police that they were quarrelling with their brother around 4:30 p.m. when he hit the younger one, age 30, several times with the stick.
He then attacked the older sister, age 45, hitting her on the head.
The sisters sustained injury and were admitted to a local hospital for treatment.
The man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and second-degree assault.
Your will should be crystal clear so that there are no questions when it comes to who inherits what. If you are looking into how to write a will or are interested in learning more about estate law, contact the Houston personal estate lawyers of Garg & Associates, P.C., at 281-210-0010.
Posted on April 28th, 2010
A Washington County man was arrested this week for faking his mother’s signature on fraudulent inheritance documents in an effort to cut his siblings out of her will.
State police in Fort Edward report that the 59-year-old man forged his mother’s signature on a deed to her house as well as on two fake copies of her Last Will & Testament.
Police were able to uncover the fraud following complaints from the man’s siblings and the fact that the documents were improperly notarized.
The man was charged with Grand Larceny, Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument, and Offering a False Instrument for Filing. Further charges are pending.
Luckily police were able to catch this cheat before he managed to successfully change his mother’s will. If you are looking for a professional estate lawyer who can ensure that your will is legally sound and properly notarized, and to avoid any sort of debacle like this, contact the Houston personal estate lawyers of Garg & Associates, P.C., at 281-210-0010.
Posted on April 19th, 2010
A 62-year-old lawyer from Alton, Illinois, was arrested last Monday and charged with financial exploitation of an elderly person. He remains in custody in lieu of $250,000 bail.
He has been accused of keeping and cashing a check for $138,826 that was meant to go to his then-client. The money was the client’s inheritance from her mother, who died in Ohio in 2004.
The 81-year-old woman who was meant to receive the inheritance money is now represented by a different lawyer, who discovered the theft last month.
To set up a will and to be as sure as you can be that your money goes to the people you want to receive it, contact the Houston living will lawyers of Garg & Associates, P.C., at 281-210-0010.
Posted on April 12th, 2010
Boxer Arturo Gatti’s estate has been fiercely contested by his mother and brother following his mysterious death at a seaside resort in Brazil last July. While much of the estate remains unclaimed, Amanda Rodrigues, his widow, has been awarded $100,000 as financial compensation for the court and legal fees she had pay throughout the months of fighting over Gatti’s will.
Rodrigues was also awarded $2,000 a month for the care of the couple’s 18-month-old son by the same Quebec Superior Court judge.
While this case occurred in Canada, and not the United States, this kind of messy fighting over an estate is something you most likely want to avoid. For legal advice regarding writing a will and avoiding estate contests, contact the Houston living will lawyers of Garg & Associates, P.C., at 281-210-0010.
Posted on April 6th, 2010
Tasha Tudor, the famous illustrator for loved children’s books such as The Wind in the Willows, died on June 18, 2009 at the age of 92. Eccentric to the end, she believed herself to be the reincarnation of a sea captain’s wife and maintained that belief in her daily life, raising her children without running water or electricity.
Her estate was believed to be worth at least $2 million. She left the majority of it to one of her four children, Seth. Her will specified that she did not leave much to her other children because they were estranged. Another of her children, Thomas Tudor, is leading an attack on the will, claiming that Seth exerted influence on their mother to coerce her into leaving her estate to him. Tasha Tudor’s other children have almost made claims that Seth is failing to properly maintain her estate, as he is allowing a public memorial service despite the will calling for no funeral or public viewing.
If you are seeking advice in setting your estate in order, ensuring a clean will, or arbitrating disputes in that area, contact the Houston personal estate lawyers of Garg & Associates, P.C., at 281-210-0010.
Posted on April 2nd, 2010
Many individuals are concerned about how will they will be treated if they sustain a life-threatening injury. To plan for this potential circumstance, individuals often draft living wills.
Individuals typically draft living wills with an attorney. The attorney will help them determine whether or not they should be kept alive if they are suffering a serious illness or severe injury. One benefit of such documents is that they remove the burden from family members to make such difficult decisions.
If you or anyone you know has questions about a living will, contact the Houston living will lawyers of Garg & Associates, P.C., at 281-210-0010.
Posted on March 24th, 2010
A 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a Houston jury’s decision that the estate of the deceased Anna Nicole Smith are not entitled to money from the fortune of Texas oil billionaire J. Howard Marshall. According to the decision, Smith’s daughter Dannielynn Birkhead is not entitled to $300 million that her estate claimed was promised to Smith when the billionaire was alive. The Circuit Court’s ruling upheld the decision that the tycoon’s will (that did not include Smith) was written and signed by a competent Marshall before his death.
For assistance with a case involving a will or trust, contact the Houston wills and trusts attorneys of Garg & Associates at 281-210-0010 today.
