Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in New Jersey

I am very sorry for the loss of your uncle.

There is no such thing as a verbal contract when it comes to leaving things to someone upon death. The only way to give things to another is during lifetime, or by having a Will.

If your uncle had a will, your relative should file it with the Surrogate's Office. You would be able to see it, and if it leaves the guitars to you, you should seek to get them back.

You will need a lawyer to assist you in finding out whether a will exists and if it was filed or not, and what to do in either case. Who has rights to your uncle's estate depends on the degrees of relationship if there was no will.

THIS RESPONSE IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE, SINCE I DO NOT HAVE ALL OF THE INFORMATION THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED, AND I DO NOT HAVE A REPRESENTATION AGREEMENT WITH YOU.

* If the answers to your question confirm that you have a valid issue or worthwhile claim, your next step should almost always be to establish a dialog with a lawyer who can provide specific advice to you. Contact a lawyer in your county or township.

* Another reason for contacting a lawyer is that it is often impossible to give a good answer in the Internet Q&A format without having more information. The unique circumstances of your situation and things that you may not have thought to mention in your question may completely change the answer. If you want to be sure that you have a complete answer to your question and an understanding of what that answer means, establish a connection with a lawyer who practices in the area of your concern.

I agree with Miriam. Call the Surrogate in the County where your uncle resided at his death, to see if a Will has been probated. You can get a copy for a small fee. If the Will says nothing about the guitars, you cannot get them unless someone is willing to give them to you or you purchase them from the estate.