Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Connecticut
Last Will and Testament
I am the only biological child by my father who abandoned me at the age of fifteen. He was very successful in his lifetime and his estate is valued at fifty-six million dollars. My mother his first wife was married to him for over ten years. He remarried and had a step-daughter by marriage who was an adult at the time. He has since divorced his second wife and is single. By law am I entitled to his estate at the time of his death, even if I am not listed as a benificiary? What if anything am I entitled to? Thank you.--name removed--
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Last Will and Testament
In the absence of a will, you clearly have a viable claim. can you prove paternity?
Re: Last Will and Testament
If your father dies without a will and with assets in his own name, you will be entitled to inherit all unless he is married at the time of his death. However, with an estate of that size it is highly unlikely that he has not made a testamentary plan, and probably a living trust in which his testamentary plan is contained. All assets in the trust will be distributed as he directed in the trust document and if he explicitly disinherits you, then you will get nothing. In some states, and I believe in CT, the spouse has a right of dower which entitles her to elect against the will. But, there is no comparable right for children.
Related Questions & Answers
Looking for something else?
10,200 active attorneys ready to answer your legal questions today.
Featured Attorneys
Earn additional revenue and grow your business.
