Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Washington
probate questions
Hi, my grandmother recently passed away and my uncle, who is a lawyer, took over the estate and divided it up between himself and my mother. Nothing is finale yet, he has only sent my mother a letter stating what he has done and what she will receive.
In the letter he accused my mother of murdering my grandmother and and my mother believes that he also was unfair in dividing up the estate, keeping almost everything for himself.
The house sold for $120,000 but some amount (we're unsure of the total but could be half or more) was still owed on the house, there was some antique jewelry, guns, a car, and misc. items, we do not know the value of these either.
He has offered her $3000 and billed her for 500 hours at $30 an hour to come to this amount.
At this point, is there anything that we can do and would it be worth the time and effort to do it?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: probate questions
First, please accept my sympathy on your recent loss. Apparently you have bickering relatives to deal with as well.
Your fact pattern raises my eyebrows. Please consider talking to Margaret Dore in Seattle as soon as you can.
You can find any attorney by name at wsba.org (the State Bar website under the lawyer directory link).
It is HIGHLY unusual for an attorney to be a PR for an estate in which the attorney is receiving an interest, if not flat prohibited.
Also, the bill for his services should be against the estate, as your mother is not his client.
Please call Margaret and ask her to straighten this out. Your question contains enough red flags that you should have an in person consult.
Elizabeth Powell
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