Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in New York
My Brother took more than his share
My mother died last year in Brooklyn, NY. My brother said there was a will in which I wasn't included, but the will was not found. I have been living in Arizona, so my brother in New York retained a lawyer and ''took care'' of distributing the money between us. I left it all to him. Between the sale of the $425,000 house and other assets I think the estate was worth over half a million dollars. The lawyer he retained cut me a check for only $50,000. My brother claimed that I don't deserve any more because he was the one who was close to my mother. How do I find out what the estate was worth? And how do I get the rest of my money? Isn't it illegal for the lawyer not to notify me?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: My Brother took more than his share
The Surrogate's Court in Brooklyn will have the records of the Administrtation proceeding.
This may disclose the value of the Estate, its debts and surely will disclose the name of the lawyer, etc.
You are entitled to one-half of the estate, based on the law; not on merit.
You may need a lawyer to protect your interests.