Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in California

Help tracking down a Will...stepmom says there isn't one!
My father passed away in 2003 according to my evil StepMom there is no will. Everything was held jointly and went to her. I CAN NOT believe that there was no will. I am an only child and was EXTREMELY close to my Father.
I am wondering if I sent a letter to several Attorneys/Law Offices in the Pasadena area who specialize in Wills and Trusts, where I believe my Dad may have had a will drawn up...explaining my situation....would they give me info. If I was named as a benificary in his Will, wouldn't they have to? If you received a letter like this would you look into your records?

No obituary was ever published, so the Law Office/Attorney may not even be aware my father has died!!! And my Step Mom didn't have to Probate anything since it was all held jointly. (which is why it seems really FISHY to me)

Or if I hired a Private Detective, would they be able to get information from the Law Offices on whether or not my father had a will with one of the local Attorneys?
I would appreciate any help or if you can point me in the right direction.
Thanks in advance.

Asked on 10/06/05, 11:08 am

2 Answers from Attorneys

Scott Schomer Schomer Law Group

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Re: Help tracking down a Will...stepmom says there isn't one!

There are steps you can take to force the issue including filing your own probate administration procedure. An attorney can also help you review the assets and determine from the public records how the assets were held. See an attorney for more details.

Answered on 10/06/05, 12:14 pm

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