Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Florida
Thank you for responding to my question earlier. There is no real property located in FL, only personal property, a few vehicles, and mobile home title on leased property. I believe there is equity in the MH title but very little equity in the vehicles. There is real property his was purchasing in an anither state for retirement which is currenlty being leased. Knowing my Dad, he did not use credit cards he could not pay for. There is an additional twist which is a charity which was to receive a percentage under the will. Based on what my sister and I were told, we have reason to believe there my be another will more favorable to us. If we do not find evidence of a new will in a safety deposit box, what would be the best way to search assets he mentioned as well as another attorney which may have a newer will?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Well, as to finding evidence of a new will; first look in safe deposit box if you can get into it; otherwise contact a lawyer for an order to allow you to get into it.
Second, try contacting attorney who drew up original will, if you can find him; most people will go back to same lawyer if they can.
Third, depending on the geographic area, contact a few estate planning attorneys and/or the county bar association in that area; if it's a small town odd are there're only a few lawyers who do most of the wills; and the county bar association may be able to contact their members and ask if they have anything in their files on your father.
As far as assets go, basically, watch the mailbox; see if he gets statements, bills, etc. from banks, investment companies and such. Come early next year he should be getting a lot of tax statements.
I agree with the previous answer. The mail is the most important thing to determine what assets there are, eventually all accounts send a statement. Also, if you dad had a computer and email, see if you can get into that and see if he has any records, or copies of a will that he drew up himself (might have copied what the prior attorney did). A lot of companies are sending statements via email, so I would try to get access to that along with the mail.
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