My step-grandfather (step-mom's dad) died about 6 months ago & my dad initially told my sister & me his estate would be split 4 ways, between us & our 2 step-brothers.  Now he's saying my sister & I get nothing.  We are alledgedly a "close" family (i.e. no distinctions between biological children & step children).  Also, my dad never paid child support for my sister & me yet he raised my youngest step-brother (who's father never paid support for HIM).  I'm very bitter about the inheritence.  Should I say something to my dad & stepmom or suck it up?
217975
There's no law that says a will has to be fair.  The reason people write wills is so they can do whatever they want and be sure their wishes will be carried out.  Don't blame your father; it's likely his hands are tied.  And don't be bitter, either.  Money can pull families apart, and it's not really worth it.
494105
is your sister younger? and if by how much? Sometimes parents are nice to younger children to make them feel appreciated. \n\nIs he your stepfather? Is your sister a half-sister and he being the father? If so that pretty much explains it, parents like their children more. Or he really loves you and thats his way of showing his love. Maybe you did something really bad to piss him off...
374495
=what a loving sister you are.  Every family and probate Court have free legal counsel.  I would call and find out about this and go and talk to thee lawyer.  He/she could be thee answer to your problem.  Best of luck to you and your siblings..
344803
Monique, I can see where this might bother you.\n\nOn the other hand, if mom and grandma are in his corner, and they are willing to help, why not?  Much better than the reverse, where they just cut you off.  \n\nIf his asking for help bothers you then maybe you both should sit down and see how much his requests amount to.  Set a limit.  Anything over the limit and he has to provide for himself.  You can break this down to a monthly limit.  Then at least he has guidelines and he's not randomly tapping other people for whatever comes up.\n\nLet mom and grandma in on the plan.  \n\nI understand the goal is to be independent but sometimes young parents need help.   You are blessed to have such wonderful support.  They will appreciate that you two took them into consideration.
189920
Sometimes with families you have the 'sponge' one that always relies on others to support them etc.  I didn't say that to be mean just pointing out an observation. I think your mother is looking out for you, she doesn't want you to have to give up what you have worked hard for to support somebodies elses decision she may consider wrong.  I don't know the history of your family, is this your aunts 5 baby or first?  Does she act responsible and is just caught in a bad situation at the time?  IF you give your aunt everything where are you going to be-what if tomorrow you find out you have a family after you have given your money away?  IS THE MONEY GOING TO HELP THE SITUATION OR PROLONG A PROBLEM???  if you give money how is it going to affect your relationship with your mother?\n\nBest of luck in your decision
551845
Hey, get a grip if you are thirty-two then you are old enough to know that when the time comes she'll tell you. But, be an adult, not a spoiled kid obviously she's lived with it all this time and there may or may not be something she doesn't want you to know just now. It doesn't change anything between you and your grandfather, apparently it didn't make any difference to him! Give your mom time and get on with your life, don't let it define you life!
72252
I'm not sure if I understand your question right, but I think you are asking if your estate could be attached by your former family if you die.\n\nDon't let this answer replace proper legal advice, but I believe no. For one thing, inheritance only applies when you're dead. Do your best to outlive your ex-spouse.\n\nProbably the best way to assure division of your estate after death is a properly written will. Even legitimate bloodline heirs can have shares adjusted by you and you can add in any person or institution that you want.\n\nMy will reads "Being of sound mind and will, I spent it all."\n\nJust as important as the inheritance you leave will be the legacy. Your children will observe and possibly adopt attitudes that you display. Today you can choose whether the legacy you leave is of patience, tolerance, kindliness and love or else of fear, defensiveness, intolerance and control.
228294
It sounds like you have a hard road to follow.  Please don't let him relinquish his rights.  From the sounds of it, your stepdaughter needs someone in her life who is willing to act responsibly on her behalf.  Obviously her mother isn't doing her job as a parent.  \n\nMy advice is similar to several others already on here.  Go to a lawyer.  Get every bit of information you can on your stepdaughter's life....police reports, school reports, teachers' files, doctor's reports, neighbor's thoughts on her life with mom...and find out exactly what is going on over there.  If you can prove that she is not being raised and cared for according to acceptable standards-and it sounds like just looking at her police reports and tatoos might do the trick-it wouldn't be hard for you to get custody, even if she want's to live with her mother.  The judge will look at what is best for her, not just what she wants.  \n\nAlso, when your stepdaughter is at your house for visitation, her mother does not have the right to show up and neither does grandma.  They can see her whenever she is not scheduled to be with you guys.  You do have the right to tell them to leave, without your stepdaughter.  There is nothing they can do about it.  Also, take the cell phone away when she is with you guys.  Tell her she can have it back when she is about to go back to her mom's house.  And if they do not bring her to your home or make her available to you when you have scheduled visitation, call the police.  I know it sounds harsh, but most states have laws about this.  Where I live, every missed visitation that my husband and I didn't agree on ahead of time cost his ex $1500 refusal of visitation ticket.  Judges don't like it when their orders are ignored.  Unless she has a VERY good reason for not following the custody and visitation agreement, she will be paying for it.  It's a way to make her realize you guys are not going to be railroaded by her and what she wants. \n\nPlease don't give up on this kid.  Remember, she is just a kid, and doesn't know what she needs.  You two are the parents, and need to make sure she knows this.  One day she will thank you for trying to make sure she didn't throw her life away by acting like a juvenile delinquent.  I hope everything works out for you guys.  I will keep you in my prayers.  :)
108203
Sounds like you want your mom to have the house if you die or get divorced, and leave your husband with nothing. You can't.\n\nThis is not how a marriage works, usually the husband get the stuff if the wife dies and vice versa. If you want to get around this then your mom should own the house. Not really something you can do since presumably you and your husband are paying for it. If you die and he is still paying how can you say the house should be hers?\n\nIt is quite natural to have a concern for a parent if something happens. Consider instead using a will or living trust to leave her with some money, not all of both of your money, just some. Say you and your husband have $20,000 in a 401k plan, leave up to "your half" of it to her or up to $10,000. Don't be surprised if this upsets him, I know it would me if my wife wanted to give all, or even half of "our" money to her mom. But then she can trust me to give her mom any if she needs it where maybe you can't.\n\nIf you don't have a retirement account of any sort then start two one for your husband and one for you. Put an equal amount into each and when you open the account put your moms name as the benificiary of "yours" and let him have a say in who is the beneficiarry in "his". \n\nMost likely you will outlive your mom so the money will truly be for your retirement. If something does happen then she will have a little money to help her out. That is probably the best you can do.
621516
Wow that's a tough one, you have to decide whats in your son's beat interest. But maybe you should try talking to your initial sperm Donner(dad) and tell him how you feel and if he can't be a loving grandfather to your son as well then he doesn't need to be a grandparent to him at all, he all ready lost his daughter, what should be the harm in just removing your family from his life entirely. And ask him if he cares and if he has ever loved you or thought of you.\n\nBase your decision on his response\n\nGood luck and I wish you enough, enough happiness, enough love, enough life to live and cherish in your family as the driving force I can tell you are
348514
I can't imagine there would be anything for yout o worry about. If your father had a properly esecuted will and trust, then there should be no grappeling from your sister. He excluded her, that is it. Now, if you feel that you are morally obligated to give her something then you should feel free to do so. There are ways that you can go about making sure that the money goes directly to your sister - not becoming marital property (depending on what state we are talking about) as well. \n\nWith that said, that does not mean that you sister could not contest the will/trust. But as I said before, if the will and trust are properly executed, she is going to have a very hard time finding an attorney that would think it would be worthwhile. \n\nGood luck to you and I am sorry for your loss.
274038
Go see a lawyer IN THE SAME STATE AS YOUR FATHER and explain this situation.  Then hang around your father like a tick on a cold day until he signs a will.\n\nThis is the only good way to protect your mother from poverty or delayed property transfers while she is grieving.  All this should be settled now, in advance, based on the blessing of your father knowing he's going to die as well as about WHEN that's going to happen.\n\nYour mother's grief will be ENORMOUSLY AGGRAVATED if her husband dies without a will ("intestate" is the word for that).
407425
"Beneficiary question?  I am in Texas and I am named as a beneficiary in my grandfather's will. He also left some accounts for me with a POD.  Are the POD accounts counted in probate or can I get access to them without probate? How do I go about finding out what is mine? How long does my father have to notify me with my grandfather's wishes? Father is very dishonest and I have not had contact with him since I was a child. I do not trust him. I could get an attorney but that is a last resort. Thanks for your time!"\n\nThe quick answer to your question is "Keep track of the probate progress of your grandfather's will and get involved as much as necessary even if that means appearing without an attorney."\n\nGenerally speaking, bank accounts that are held under the Uniform Gift to Minors Act are payable to a beneficiary under operation of law (no through a testamentary process) as a trust account-- at a certain age depending on your local laws (generally 18, 21 or 25 years of age).  Additionally, if the accounts you speak of weren't UGMA but were held jointly-- with your grandfather's name and your name-- then you (or your legal parent or guardian if you're under 18) are generally entitled to access to the account upon that person's death by operation of law since you have a joint interest.  And, of course, trust accounts (that you don't mention specifically) are also exist and are distributed by operation of law.\n\nThat said, probate judges have significant latitude in securing the assets of a deceased person to ensure payments to appearing creditors and to ensure the administrator of an estate can carry out the last wishes of the deceased as articulated in the will.\n\nSince you believe you have a claim to assets now held in your grandfather's name, you should go to the probate proceedings and let the judge know you have that interest and want it to be protected as you believe your father as administrator may not recognize it.  Even where the monies might pass to you by operation of law, your appearance at probate helps to ensure your interests are protected.\n\nYou don't need an attorney to appear and to speak on your own behalf.  But if the monies are significant, having an attorney is probably a good idea.\n\n[This is not legal advice. You should consult a licensed attorney-at-law for legal advice or representation before making decisions that may affect your legal rights.]
58923
if your grandmother dies intestate ( without a will) and does not have a living spouse, your father and any other living siblings will automatically inherit her money. While there may be estate and probate fees, I can not imageine that it would be half of her estate.\nThe other potential issue might be medicare if medicare is currently paying for her care. The law requires her to use her own funds first although there are some exemptions. This is typically reduced by gifting money to family, but there are time frames that must be respected. The issue could be that if these gifts are not already made or loans documented, that given her current condition, she no longer has the legal capacity to do so. If beyond co-signing her account you father has a broader "power of attorney", this would help. \nIn order for your father to understand all the issues, he will need to consult with an estate attorney or an attorney that specializes in Elder Law
326129
You shouldn't have to pay your parents debts after they passed away it isn't your responsibility the bills and such should be gone talk to the creditors they will help you. As for you and your sister its going to be hard to raise your sister but you can do it don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it and take a break or if its too ruff for you if you had family around maybe they can help too. Ill pray for you and God Bless you and your sister.
61512
It all depends on if your mother had a will or not? If she did, is your brother the executor to the estate? was the money left in trust to you? Was your brother given power of attorny?\n You would be better off to ask an attorny, then to ask questions on yahoo reguarding these matters, and you ask the question like we all have crystal balls...I SEE A MAN... HE IS TRYING TO STEAL FROM YOUR MOTHERS ESTATE.. I mean come on, How are we supposed to know. Like I said "Seek the advice of an attorny"
38208
Every state has laws that govern how property is divided when someone dies without a will.  In most states, dad would get the house completely.  You really should check with a probate/estate planning attorney in your state.