How can I make sure my daughter receives her inheritance from her grandmother?
My minor daughter's grandmother recently passed away. The executor of her will is my exhusband, he is an only child, and he has no intention of fulfilling his mother's wishes by giving my daughter the money her grandmother left to her in the will. What can be done? I have full custody of my teenage daughter...she has just turned 17 and is fully aware of the situation and has asked for my help. We do have a copy of the will.
Expert Answer
In every state there is a procedure by which an heir can petition the probate court to enforce the terms of a will, if the executor is not doing what they are supposed to do. You should retain a local probate attorney to help you with this process - that is, if you feel that nothing short of court intervention will work. Oftentimes a stern letter from the lawyer will be sufficient to motivate the executor to do the right thing, so we always recommend you try that approach before any formal legal action is commenced. And of course, as with any sort of dispute within a family -- even with an ex-husband - you always want to consider trying the olive branch first. It wouldn't hurt for you to write a letter to your ex, calmly stating why you don't think what he is doing is right, and imploring him to do the right thing. Even if doing this doesn't produce the results you want, it will establish for you (and for him) why you needed to pursue the legal remedies.