Tag: legal advice

Alimony After Inheritance: When Can Support Be Modified?
September 14, 2025 Off

Alimony After Inheritance: When Can Support Be Modified?

By The Admiral Staff

A reader struggling to afford alimony payments due to financial hardship is asking if they can seek a modification given their ex-wife’s significant inheritance and improved financial situation. The advice is that spousal support agreements can often be modified when circumstances change, but this depends on state laws and the specifics of the original settlement. Options include reaching an agreement with the ex-wife or pursuing a legal modification through the courts, with an attorney potentially simplifying the process.

Beyond Sympathy: When Kindness Costs You
August 12, 2024 Off

Beyond Sympathy: When Kindness Costs You

By The Admiral Staff

A vehicle owner is seeking compensation from the family of a teenager who stole and crashed their car, resulting in $18,000 in damages. While the family covered the repair costs, they refused to provide a rental car during the two-month repair period, leaving the owner without transportation and incurring lost income and other expenses totaling around $13,000. The advice suggests exploring legal options, considering the motivation behind seeking compensation (financial need versus retribution), and potentially pursuing alternative solutions

Inheriting Debt: What Happens When a Parent Dies Owed Money
February 24, 2024 Off

Inheriting Debt: What Happens When a Parent Dies Owed Money

By The Admiral Staff

A reader is concerned about inheriting their father’s house and being responsible for his substantial debts. The advice is that they likely won’t be personally liable for the debt beyond the assets in his estate. If the estate is insolvent (more debt than assets), creditors may not be fully repaid, but the heirs won’t be sued. Debt collectors may still contact them, but they are generally not responsible for the debt. It’s advisable to consult an attorney if questions arise and to report any

February 3, 2024 Off

Betrayed by Family: What to Do When a Will Leaves You Out

By The Admiral Staff

The author advises someone who was excluded from their mother’s will, despite it originally dividing assets equally among three children, to first obtain a copy of the will from the probate court to verify beneficiary status. They caution that the will doesn’t tell the whole story, and assets like retirement accounts bypass probate. The author suggests requesting documentation from the sister claiming the estate was depleted and recommends consulting with a probate attorney immediately, as legal challenges have time limits and can be costly. Potential issues include mismanagement of

The Business Gambit: Friendship, Loans, and a Potential Power Grab
December 10, 2023 Off

The Business Gambit: Friendship, Loans, and a Potential Power Grab

By The Admiral Staff

A man is concerned about his wife’s plan to seize her friend’s business as collateral for a loan, potentially damaging their friendship. The agreement, notarized but potentially predatory, involves the friend’s business and possible employment for the friend if the debt isn’t repaid. An attorney suggests the agreement might be enforceable, though the notary’s role is limited to verifying identities, and predatory lending laws vary by state. The writer expresses distrust of his wife, noting a history of withholding information