Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in California
a friend of my died she amendmented her will in 2008, she made me co ex of the estate so i can see that her ill son is taken care of ,i believe the estate is worth about 4 million dollors.she died in aug of 2011 .i just found out yesterday ...i know the layer that handled the amendment ..now what do i do ..so i can carry out her wishs...richard...this is in calif
2 Answers from Attorneys
There are many things you need to do. Read the Nolo Press book on estates for back ground information and general information. Contact the other executor and see what they have and will do, probate the estate, inform the county of a change in ownership of any real property and ask for the parent-child exclusion from increased assessment form, etc. You need to consider whether you need someone familiar with handling estates to do much of the work.
I agree with Mr. Shers. However, it sounds like the first thing you need to do is contact the attorney that handled the estate planning documents, especially if you do not have a copy of the will or trust.
Contacting the co-executor is a good start. Considering the heir is sick, you both should contact an experienced Estate Planning attorney to discuss how best the mother's wishes can be carried out.
Good luck!