Aren’t there criminal penalties for defrauding beneficiaries out of their inheritance?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Aren’t there criminal penalties for defrauding beneficiaries out of their inheritance?
After my mother died my sister claimed to be the estate trustee and that I had to turn my share of my mother’s assets over to her to be put into a trust account under her control. After turning the money over to her I found out that this money is not part of the trust. She now refuses to return my assets and claims that I voluntarily gave her the money. How can I get my money back?
Asked on October 18, 2012 under Estate Planning, California
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
The best way to try and get monies that are due you that you gave to your sister is for you to consult with a civil litigation attorney to make a demand for you for what is owed. If your sister refuses to turn over what is owed you that she failed to place in trust as represented, then it appears that your option if you want your money is litigation.
Fraud as you have written could very well be the basis for a criminal filing in addition to a civil filing.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.