Am I allowed to keep cash found inside an item I inherited?
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Am I allowed to keep cash found inside an item I inherited?
If a relative left me an object in their will and when I
receive this item, I find, say, 10,000.00 cash inside
this item, do I assume they also meant to leave the
cash to me? Would I be allowed to keep it?
Asked on May 14, 2019 under Estate Planning, Maine
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 4 years ago | Contributor
If the will specifically left her cash or money to another person or persons, you'd have to turn the money over to the executor to be distributed with the other cash/money; in this case, the will designated what happens to the money, so all her money, wherever found, must be distributed as per the will.
If the will is silent as to cash or money, you could keep it.
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