Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in California

My great grandmother passed away a little over 7 years ago. Before her passing she had pretty much told everyone that I would be the primary recipient of all her assets and it was even admitted to my mother and uncle at her funeral by the executor(s) of her will (although they refused to show it to them). Now the problem lies here, she had appointed my great granduncle and his wife as the executors because they were the closest relatives to her, as she was living in Nevada, right before and ultimately at the time of her passing. If I was never able to see the will or given the things that were declared mine in the will (e.g. car), after 7 years am I still entitled to them? When my uncle got into contact with them a while back they had told him they sold the car. Can they legally do that? I live in California and turned 19 last year and so far have been unable to get a hold of the executors as they avoid me at all costs. What can I do to see the will and perhaps get the things my great grandmother left me?

Thank you for your time and I hope to hear from you soon.


Asked on 12/08/09, 9:27 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Jonathan Reich De Castro, West, Chodorow, Glickfeld & Nass, Inc.

If your great grandmother was living in Nevada at the time she died this is really an issue for Nevada. If she was living in California, then you can search the Court records in the Coutny where she was living for a probate in her name. (This can be done online and for free with the Superior Court.) If the executors opened a probate for her, which they would have had to do to transfer title to any property, you should be able to find out what happened and to see a copy of the will there. You can also do all of this with a lawyer, but it can get expensive. Do you have any idea about how much money your great grandmother had? If you need some more tips, please don't hesitate to e-mail me.

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Answered on 12/14/09, 11:25 am


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