Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in New Jersey

Re: Rights to deceased estate/assets

Your nieces have a right to a share of their father's estate. However, any property that was in joint name with his wife will not pass through the estate. Any other property will require her to probate the estate. Your nieces should see an attorney and check on the Surrogate Court in the county their father lived in when he died for any probate proceedings. If I can be of any further help, please have them contact me for an appointment.

Re: Rights to deceased estate/assets

I agree with the other writers, adding that you can also qualify as Administrator if your step-mom refuses. If the assets are as large as you say, and have not be titled in joint names, you are entitled to a share. However, if they are titled in joint names, they pass by operation of law (account registration) and are not subject to probate. Also, even if they are jointly titled, there might be NJ death taxes due, so some reporting may be done. If you have property addresses, for a few hundred dollars you can run a title search on the real estate and get copies of the Deeds, so you can see what hame(s) are on the Deeds. The result of the search should show if you have any claim. If you need assistance, contact me directly.

Re: Rights to deceased estate/assets

If this is really what they want and not just what you think needs to be done, they need to go see a good Texas probate attorney. Even without a Will the estate needs to be settled. Under the Texas rules of intestate descent and distribution your nieces probably have some claim to the houses at the very least.