What happens if my father passed and had a Will defining me as the only child and beneficiary but I think he had another child?
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What happens if my father passed and had a Will defining me as the only child and beneficiary but I think he had another child?
Is the executor responsible for splitting the assets if the other child is not mentioned? Are accounts where there is a named beneficiary, safe and only available for that person that is named?
Asked on February 27, 2013 under Estate Planning, Georgia
Answers:
Catherine Blackburn / Blackburn Law Firm
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
Accounts with a named beneficiary are not subject to the will. Those accounts pass to the named beneficiary immediately upon death no matter what the will or the laws of intestacy (the law that would give the other child any right to the estate) say.
You should consult a probate attorney where your father died about the suspected child. The executor is not responsible for splitting the estate assets with someone who is not mentioned in the will. However, if you have good reason to believe your father had another child, the executor may be required to give that person notice of the estate.
The suspected child may have a right to contest the will. Whether he or she would win a will contest is doubtful. A will contest would also cost this suspected child a lot of money. Usually, in such instances, the other child does nothing, especially if the estate is small.
I hope this helps.
Catherine Blackburn / Blackburn Law Firm
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
Accounts with a named beneficiary are not subject to the will. Those accounts pass to the named beneficiary immediately upon death no matter what the will or the laws of intestacy (the law that would give the other child any right to the estate) say.
You should consult a probate attorney where your father died about the suspected child. The executor is not responsible for splitting the estate assets with someone who is not mentioned in the will. However, if you have good reason to believe your father had another child, the executor may be required to give that person notice of the estate.
The suspected child may have a right to contest the will. Whether he or she would win a will contest is doubtful. A will contest would also cost this suspected child a lot of money. Usually, in such instances, the other child does nothing, especially if the estate is small.
I hope this helps.
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