Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in California

great uncle's trust

My great Uncle passed away over a year ago. He had no wife and no kids. He did have a lot of money.

He told me that my 2 sons and I were in his trust. He left his sister out, as she is 90 and a millionaire but very much alive.

I was verbally told by a niece (90 year olds daughter) that nobody was left anything. I find this hard to believe. He only had 9 family members and none of us have received anything.. money, letter or proof.

Because he is a great uncle I am told that I am not an heir (because his 90 year old sis is still alive) and I am also not a beneficiary so I have no right to see a copy of his trust.

My great uncle also told other distant family members (in-laws) that my sons and I were taken care, no worries.

My question is: since he told me (and others) that I was in it, does that give me a right to ask for proof? or do I just take the word of his niece. I would think IF I were not in it she was just show me. Obviously she has something to hide. Everybody (The other 8 family members) knows that she's lying...

what are our rights or do we have any?

Is this a crime that's punishable by law, if proven? I would stealing is stealing.


Asked on 1/16/08, 12:37 am

2 Answers from Attorneys

Mitchell Roth MW Roth, Professional Law Corporation

Re: great uncle's trust

Answered this in the first post.

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Answered on 1/16/08, 1:13 am
Phillip Lemmons, Esq. Phillip Lemmons APC, Attorneys at Law

Re: great uncle's trust

answered above

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Answered on 1/26/08, 2:00 pm


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