Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Illinois
heir to an estate
Recently learned of step-mother death,12/06 in NEB., my father passing 12/87,in ILL. I was his only child and they had no children. Upon my dad's passing I was shown their wills,no lawyer present,(only 1 will for each, lawyer's copy destroyed in fire) stating I was to receive 1/2 of each their esates and was told I would be getting their home whenever my stepmother moved. Not the case--
within 6 months had cut off any contact with me, even though I had tried numerous times to reach her, I got no response. My ''so called'' home was sold, and she bought another house in our town, sold that home and bought/built another in Neb.. Is there any recourse to my dilemma? I'm only seeking what my dad wanted me to have.
Is there any ''para legalling'' I need to do? Suggestions?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: heir to an estate
As to the real estate, it all comes down to how the house was titled at the time of your dad's death.
If it was in joint tenancy, it would have passed to your step-mother, and she would have had the legal right to sell it.
If it was in your father's name, you would have rights to a 1/2 interest in the house, and so would your step-mother.
If you know the address of the house, you can do a search through the recorder of deeds of the county where the real estate was located, to obtain access to the deeds.
Good luck to you. Let me know if I can be of assistance.
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