What to do if while my mother was caring for her dying mother, she ransacked the house and removed valuable jewelry?

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What to do if while my mother was caring for her dying mother, she ransacked the house and removed valuable jewelry?

My grandmother has since passed but the jewelry should belong to the estate and split between my mother and her 2 siblings. Is this jewelry stolen property? Since it was removed prior to death, doesn’t that make it theft? Can there be serious consequences for this?

Asked on January 9, 2014 under Estate Planning, California

Answers:

Anne Brady / Law Office of Anne Brady

Answered 10 years ago | Contributor

It might have been a theft while your grandmother was alive, if your grandmother did not give your mother permission to take it.  It may have been that your grandmother was grateful for your mother's care and gave her the jewelry.  At this point, the executor of the estate would have to have proof that your mother stole the jewelry in order for the estate to make a demand for its return.


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