Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in California
My stepfather died about a year and a half ago,when he was living he had filed a lawsuit which he won after his death. My question is what are my rights as a stepchild and why is the money only going to his biological children. He has been my father since I was five years old I am now fifty five.Is there any law in California that covers stepchildrens rights.
3 Answers from Attorneys
Yes there is a law that covers it. Unfortunately, it says they have no inheritance rights from the step parent unless there is a will that designates them as receiving something.
Did he ever adopt you?
A non-biological child who is adopted is treated exactly as a child of the "body" of the adopting parent. But if your stepfather did not adopt you, you are not considered to be related to him so would get nothing after his death unless you are named in his Will or Trust as a beneficiary. If his Will refers to "all my children" then you might have an argument you should be included.
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