Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in California

my mother was very sick for years and we hadn't spoken in years when she passed.

I then got a call from my Step-Father sying she had passed, no copy of her Will ever, nthing.

What am I entitled to? They live(d) in CA and it's been 4 years.


Asked on 3/03/10, 5:34 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Jonathan Reich De Castro, West, Chodorow, Glickfeld & Nass, Inc.

If she had a will or trust and you were named in it, you would be entitled to a copy. Likewise, if she died without one and a probate was filed in Court you should have been entitled to notice of that proceeding. If, however, all of her assets were in joint title with your step-father with a right of survivorship, there may have been no need for such a proceeding. You should start by requesting a copy of any will or trust and by checking the public Court record in the county where she lived. You can do that on-line. Good luck.

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Answered on 3/08/10, 8:49 am


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