How can I find out if my father had a Will and if he left me anything?
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How can I find out if my father had a Will and if he left me anything?
He wife is not being cooperative with giving me any information.
Asked on November 8, 2011 under Estate Planning, Pennsylvania
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
I am so sorry for your loss. I am assuming by the way that you have phrased the question here that his wife is not your Mother. If your Father's assets were held jointly with his wife then they passed to her automatically at the time of his death. If there are assets that were his alone - part of his gross estate - then they would pass to you either by Will if he left one, or under the intestacy laws in your state. Collecting would require that you file a proceeding in probate court to have someone appointed as the personal representative of the estate. you could force her hand and file naming yourself. That could cause a ruckus but it may be the only way to actually get her to move. The other way that you father could have left you assets is if he designated you as the beneficiary under say a life insurance policy or an account as a "POD" payable on death. But again you would need that info that his wife probably has. I would speak with an attorney here. Good luck.
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