Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Alabama

Probation of an Estate

My Stepfather married my mother when I was about 2 1/2 years old, he has been my father all my life, I am now 50. I was supported and raised by this man and used his surname as mine all my life, he never legally adopted me, but I had all rights to his military dependent benefits, he claimed me on his taxes as a dependent and he claimed me as his daughter. He passed away recently and I was not mentioned in his will, do I have any rights at all or since he never legally adopted me, are my rights null and void, or can I contest the Will since he did not acknowledge me at all.


Asked on 8/20/07, 6:55 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
William Nolan Nolan Elder Law LLC

Re: Probation of an Estate

An heir is someone born to or adopted by another person. From your description you are neither. The presumption is that your stepfather could have chosen to include you but did not, for whatever reason. I don't think you have a claim but paying a local attorney for a few hour's research into the case law might be a worthwhile expense.

Good luck,

William G. Noan

www.NolanElderLaw.com

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Answered on 8/21/07, 10:24 am


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