If I just found outthat my fatherdied 2 1/2 years ago but we were never notified by his wife, do we have any rights to his estate?
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If I just found outthat my fatherdied 2 1/2 years ago but we were never notified by his wife, do we have any rights to his estate?
My father walked out on us over 20 yeras ago.
Asked on December 14, 2011 under Estate Planning, New York
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Whether or not you have an interest in your father's estate depends upon whether or not he had a Will or trust that specifically mentioned you in the document but either gave you a bequest or specifically stated you received nothing. If the latter, you receive nothing. If not mentioned at all, you might be entitled to something.
If he died without a Will or a trust, then you might be entitled to a percentage of his estate under his state's intestacy laws at his passing. I suggest that you consult with a Wills and trust attorney further about the situation you are writing about.
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