How can I make sure my father’s estate is being taken care of correctly?
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How can I make sure my father’s estate is being taken care of correctly?
My father died leaving no Will. My half brother has taken numerous assets from the property and my stepmother is getting ready to start emptying the house. No personal representative has been appointed that I am aware of. I just want to make sure things are dealt with fairly and equally
Asked on August 27, 2012 under Estate Planning, Indiana
Answers:
Catherine Blackburn / Blackburn Law Firm
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
The only way to control who gets/takes what property is to open an estate and have the court supervise distribution. If your father had substantial assets, this may be worth your time and money. If he did not have substantial assets, it may not be worth your time and money. Unfortunately, it is common that family members start helping themselves to assets after someone dies with or without a will. I encourage you to consult an estate attorney in your state to find out what you can do and whether it would be worth your while to take action.
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