What to do if my father died and I have no clue if he had a Will?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
What to do if my father died and I have no clue if he had a Will?
My father who has not contacted me since was 8 passed away 2 months ago. I have tried to get in contact with his only other daughter and his girlfriend but have received no reply. What would be my next step in finding out if I am entitled to any of his assets?
Asked on October 14, 2011 under Estate Planning, Indiana
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
I am so sorry for your loss. And for the situation. If your father had a Last Will and Testament it would be probated in the county in which he resided at the time of his death. Once a Will is probated it is a public record and it can be viewed by anyone. But if he had a will or if he did not, you should receive notice of the matter in any event as his daughter. If he had a Will and you are not named the notice that the Will is being offered for probate starts your time to file objections to probate. If he had no Will and died what is known as "intestate" then the intestacy statues governs and most likely you and your sister will share equally. Please get some legal help here. An attorney's letter of inquiry will most likely not be ignored. Good luck.
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.