What does one do when a next of kin dies without a Will?
152044
i dunno go to ask.com
598894
If your relative did not have a WILL before he died, then the Trust will have to be settled in court.\n\nAs for life insurance, you need to contact his life insurance company. You will need provide documentation that he died before they begin paying out the death benefit. Please note: Only the beneficiaries listed on the life policy will get the benefit. So, if your name is not on the policy, you will get nothing from the life insurance.
128809
Sorry about your dad.\n\nIf a person dies without a will (intestate) the distribution of the estate is overseen by the probate court.\n\nBy intestate succession, the remaining estate is distributed to the closest surviving relatives. In most states, that would be the surviving spouse, children, parents, and other siblings, in that order.\n\nIf your mom is still alive, she should get the estate. If she is not, then it should be split between children.\n\nYou probably should consult with a lawyer familiar with estate laws.  You can also get a lot of information on the web, search for "intestate" and "probate" specific to the states involved.
708951
You need to speak with an attorney who specializes in family law and preferrably has experience in handling estates as well. With your Father having no will I believe you and your sibling(s) are entitled to a portion of his estate. How much I don't know. Depending on which state you live in you may be able to find some information online. If you can tell us which State I'll help you look and post back here links that I find. \n\nI am so sorry for your loss. At 22 you shouldn't have to deal with this. \n\nIf your parents were legally separated that may be a good thing. You did mention having proof with some type of legal documentation. \n\nIf I were you I would get as much of your ducks in a row as possible before confronting your Mother. \n\nGood Luck.. I hope you are successful.\n\nBren... you don't allow email. Start here.... \n\n1-800-221-9576  It is a phone number for the Legal Consumer Guide for California. You can call them for a free consultation. It is a toll free number. They man the phones 24/7\n\nThere website is located at:\n\nhttp://www.legalconsumerguide.com/index.html\n\nClick on the Contact Us link.\n\nAnother Link that may help... http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp/lowcost/lawyers.htm\n\nAlittle more information..\nhttp://www.ca-trusts.com/intestate.html
666172
You can not, \n\nPeople can do thier own will, so only they may know about it, or close family.\n\nPeople use an attorney, so only they and their attorney will know about it.\n\nIf the will is executed ( they should normally go though probate court)  if they did, then the court will have a copy but will also insure that everyone who is suppose to get money does.\n\nIn the end, the only way to find out, is to ask family.
612082
He should have designated someone as the executor of his will. Maybe a close friend? If there is anything for you in the will, you will find out soon enough, as you have to be notified. I am so terribly sorry for your loss, and if it makes you feel better, sneak around and do what you have to do to obtain what is rightfully yours. Fight fire with fire, I say.
111503
Some states have a register of wills. Check with your local court house. \n\nSecondly, get an attorney ASAP, if there is no will found. It will need to go through probate, and the sooner you start the quicker you'll get through all the nonsense. Probate would involve all of her unsecured debt being paid off prior to distributing any money to living siblings. All siblings would have to be contacted, and the estated would be divided equauly.
867263
Its impossible, unethical and illegal for anyone here to give you specific advice without knowing what state you're talking about.  \n\nGenerally, the laws of the US say that if there is a will, then the terms of the will are controlling as to what happens.  To enforce or effectuate the will, a proceeding needs to be filed in a probate court.  This will transfer all property and allow for the administration of the estate, (including all final bills, etc)\n\nIf there is no will, then the decedent died intestate (without a will).  The laws of your state govern what is called intestate sucession.  This says who inherits and how much.  Only an attorney who is licensed in your state can advise you on how those laws will work in your case.\n\nIn MOST cases, the family can agree to deal with the estate in a very different way, but it requires some legal manuvering to do so.  \n\nIn all of the scenarios above,  you need the advice of an attorney in your state who is experienced in probate law.  If you don't have an attorney, contact your local or state bar association for a referral.
231793
I think that you should contact a law office that specializes in Wills, Trusts, and Estates Law and seek a free consultation to see if they may be able to make a case for you or make a referral to what should be the next move. Good Luck...and keep the fire to inquire!
176341
No.  This is covered by state law so it varies, but the spouse generally gets everything in the absence of a will - especially community property.  If there is no spouse, then the next of kin would get it.\n\nIf it's not too late already and you have substantial assets, consider getting a living trust.  You can avoid probate which can cost you 15% of the estate!
923968
I'm not an attorney which means that I think you should talk to one to find out what your rights really are.\nThe Executor doesn't have ownership of the will, he merely serves as someone who is supposed to disperse the assets of the deceased as directed in the will.  If he is not doing his job properly then I would talk to someone to find out who he should be reported to.  I'm not sure if this is criminal or merely civil malfeasance but, again, you should ask someone who knows.  You may be able to sue the person for full disclosure.
774847
You have to find out of your grandmother has a will. Everything will go to whom ever she names. You will not be able to do anything about it.
626460
forst you need to get yourself a lawyer.and then your lawyer needs to contact their lawyer. who was the first to know about the death of the grandmother? the person who was the one who was first therer or was there when it happened would be the most probable person to  have the will. or maybe she couldve had a bank box that it was put into for safe keeping and forgot to tell somebody about it. good luck.
362507
I would get a second opinion from another solicitor.  By using the term "solicitor", I presume you are in the U.K.  I am not familiar with the laws of your country.  Here in the U.S., property would not pass to the decedent's siblings unless the decedent had no children or grandchildren and did not have a surviving spouse.
389564
The answer depends upon the state where the parents had their domicile at the time of their deaths. Where did they live? Intestate (without a will) estates are the subject of state laws, so there are in fact, 50 different answers to your question. In some states it is rather simple and inexpensive to resolve such a matter, and in other states it is unfortunately not so. I would suggest going to a nearby law library (such as at a law school or in a county courthouse) where you can probably find information that would help. And no, it's not rocket science. With a few minutes time you would be able to read and understand some of the basics of whatever state you're in. You could also probably get some of the basic information from the local clerk of court.
232926
What if you die without a will?\n\nAs mentioned above, if you fail to make a will, Georgia's inheritance statute will determine who gets your property. For example, if a husband is survived by his wife and two children, his property is divided equally among them. In addition, the court will appoint an administrator to manage and settle your estate. This cost of administering your estate is often far greater than if you had paid for the cost of a well-prepared will. When there is no will, the administration of an estate is often complex and costly.\n\nWhat are the formal requirements for a will?\n\nA will is the legal declaration of a person's intention for the disposition of his or her property after his or her death. The laws of each state set forth the formal requirements for a legal will. In Georgia:\n\nYou, the maker of the will (called the testator), must be at least 14 years old.\nYou must be of sufficient mind and memory to realize you are making a will disposing of your property.\nThe will must be in writing.\nA valid will must be signed by the testator and witnessed by at least two witnesses in the special manner provided by law. These witnesses should not be persons who are designated to take property under your will.\nIt is necessary to follow exactly the technical formalities required for the execution of a will.\nMay a person dispose of his or her property in any way he or she wishes by a will?\n\nA testator, by his or her will, may make any disposition of his or her property not inconsistent with the laws or contrary to the policy of the state of Georgia. A testator may bequeath his or her entire estate to strangers, to the exclusion of his or her spouse and children. In such cases, however, the spouse on behalf of herself or himself and any minor children, may apply to the court for the part of the deceased's estate sufficient to support him or her and the minor children for 12 months.\n\nWhile any real or personal property may be transferred by a will, there are some particular interests in property which may not be transferred because of the right of the owner terminates automatically upon his or her death. A life estate and property owned in joint tenancy with right of survivorship are two examples.
399818
You need to have a will...without a will, often the state will confiscate everything.  It is better to leave it to someone.