How can I find out if my step mom followed my dad's will?
Understandably, you want to find out if your father's will was followed. Unfortunately, that may be difficult to do. If your father's will was filed for probate, in the county court for the county he died in, there will be a record of that probate proceeding. That record will have a copy of the will. So you can start by searching the probate court records for the appropriate county, using your father's name.
If you can't find a probate record, look for record of the transfer of the house. Was the house transferred to your step mom's name? When was it transferred? You can check the county records for real estate transactions. Again, check for your father's name and see if there's a transaction transferring ownership from him to your step mom.
If neither of these approaches work, things get very hard. Something must have gone on, because for your step mom to sell the house she had to have title to it. How did she get it? Why can't you find it? If you reach these questions, it's a matter for detective work, either your own or a professionals.
Recommended for you
- What to Expect from a Trusts and Estates Attorney
- What is the difference between a will and a trust?
- Revocable Living Trusts: A Beginner's Guide
- How do I know if I'm entitled to a family member's inheritance?
- What will happen to my brother's share of inheritance if he cannot be found?
- See all 330 questions about Wills and Trusts
