What is the name of your state? We're in New Hampshire, father died in California
My father-in-law recently died intestate in California, where he lived with his second wife for the past 20 or so years. He was married to my mother-in-law for 20 years when he abandoned his wife and his five children. He never paid child support, despite my MIL's efforts to force him to pay. He was court-ordered to pay for my husband's college tuition, but didn't. (My husband and I are still paying the loans).
He recently passed away, and the second wife, with whom he had no children, has the bank accounts, real estate, vehicles, and any personal property/heirlooms, etc. We were told by his wife that a small IRA would be split amongst the children, but the bulk of his estate seems to be going to her, because she has physical possession.
Do biological children or other relatives (My FIL also has 2 brothers and a sister) have any inheritance rights in a situation such as this? If not, do my husband and his siblings have any recourse against the estate as he was court-ordered to pay child support/college tuition and never did? What steps, if any, should my family take?
Thanks!
My father-in-law recently died intestate in California, where he lived with his second wife for the past 20 or so years. He was married to my mother-in-law for 20 years when he abandoned his wife and his five children. He never paid child support, despite my MIL's efforts to force him to pay. He was court-ordered to pay for my husband's college tuition, but didn't. (My husband and I are still paying the loans).
He recently passed away, and the second wife, with whom he had no children, has the bank accounts, real estate, vehicles, and any personal property/heirlooms, etc. We were told by his wife that a small IRA would be split amongst the children, but the bulk of his estate seems to be going to her, because she has physical possession.
Do biological children or other relatives (My FIL also has 2 brothers and a sister) have any inheritance rights in a situation such as this? If not, do my husband and his siblings have any recourse against the estate as he was court-ordered to pay child support/college tuition and never did? What steps, if any, should my family take?
Thanks!
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