evil stepmother

[saddaughters]

What is the name of your state? Wisconsin. Father died suddenly. No will. Stepmother now legally owns house. Stepmother refuses to give us any of our family possessions, which includes photo albums, baby books, personal letters, items that belonged to our deceased mother and sister, etc. These items belonged to our Dad and we are entitled to 50% of his possessions. We live in California and hired a Wisconsin lawyer to help us. She said it would cost between 5 & 10 thousand dollars to go to probate court. Is there a less expensive way? We can not afford the lawyer. Can we file some sort of paper allowing us to remove our possessions before her heirs take control of the house?

 

[tigger22472]

What is the name of your state? Wisconsin. Father died suddenly. No will. Stepmother now legally owns house. Stepmother refuses to give us any of our family possessions, which includes photo albums, baby books, personal letters, items that belonged to our deceased mother and sister, etc. These items belonged to our Dad and we are entitled to 50% of his possessions. We live in California and hired a Wisconsin lawyer to help us. She said it would cost between 5 & 10 thousand dollars to go to probate court. Is there a less expensive way? We can not afford the lawyer. Can we file some sort of paper allowing us to remove our possessions before her heirs take control of the house?

Who told you that you were entitled to 50% of his possessions?

 

[Dandy Don]

Are there any other assets in the man's estate that would make it worth your while to open up probate?

You need to get a fee quote from about 3-4 other Wisconsin attorneys before you decide how to proceed. If the estate is very small it's going to be hard to find an attorney willing to take on your case just to get personal possessions back.

DANDY DON IN OKLAHOMA ([email protected])

 

[nextwife]

Are there any other assets in the man's estate that would make it worth your while to open up probate?

You need to get a fee quote from about 3-4 other Wisconsin attorneys before you decide how to proceed. If the estate is very small it's going to be hard to find an attorney willing to take on your case just to get personal possessions back.

DANDY DON IN OKLAHOMA ([email protected])

I might add:

Are there any other assets in the man's estate that ARE NOT held in joint accounts or joint ownership with his wife?

 

[nextwife]

Are there any other assets in the man's estate that would make it worth your while to open up probate?

You need to get a fee quote from about 3-4 other Wisconsin attorneys before you decide how to proceed. If the estate is very small it's going to be hard to find an attorney willing to take on your case just to get personal possessions back.

DANDY DON IN OKLAHOMA ([email protected])

I might add:

Are there any other assets that ARE NOT held in joint accounts or joint ownership with his wife?