What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state?
I live in Illinois
Father lived in Minessota
My father passed in January 2005. I have not seen him for more than 15 years. I am his first son, from first marriage. There is also a second son, from second marriage. When my father died he was divorced.
He lived about 20 miles from his his 2nd ex-wife and son, so thery were first to know about his death - I was informed few days later, but not by them, they have never contacted me.
In the mean time father's family contacted me few times.
I was told that:
- My father left no will.
- In the days following his death his 2nd ex-wife came to his apartment and took some of his personal belongings (papers, some jewelery).
- He had bank account abroad where he had around $30k saved. A friend of my father contacted them and gave them information about the account. He suggested that 2nd ex-wife could try to get these money without splitting it.
- 2nd-wife sued my father several times for child support and my father owed her around $12k.
- 2nd ex-wife took care of cremation and funeral.
- Funeral was funded by the city, because 2nd ex-wife told them he had no family and relatives and no money to cover the costs (indeed my father did not have much with him, he rented his apartment, he was unemplyed, he owned old car and had some personal belongings of relatively small value, but since she took his papers she was probably aware of existence of the bank account).
I called probate court in the area my father lived, hoping to get some information and advice, but they gave no information - they said they have nothing concerning him.
I also contacted the bank where my father had an account, they were not informed about his death, and there was no beneficaries. I also asked them if anybody tried to withdraw funds - they said there was no activity lately.
I asked them to close the account, and to invalidate his bank cards.
I have no idea of intentions of 2nd wife. I am sure she knows about the bank account, and that she wants money my father owed her (for child support) and her son to get his share. If she wanted she could easily contacted me - she didn't. I just want to make everything right. I know she can be mean - she sued my father several times on different occasions, and made his life miserable. I just want get this done without problems.
- From what I found so far (thanks to this great forum) is that probate is necessary, first because father left no will nad second because the total amount is higher than $18k so that simplified procedure does not apply. Correct?
- I was wondering why a month after my father passed there was no case registered in probate court?
- How can I get information on what is happening with my father estate?(There should be a PR taking care of his belonging I guess).
- Who should I contact?
- What questions should I ask?
- Can this be done without involving a lawyer? I am afraid to get a lawyer because I do not have money, and the amount left by my father is not big also. And I read so much about dishonest lawyers in this forum that I am just afraid to be screwed...
- Most of your post suggest to get an attorney - how much can this cost me?
- So far I calculated that if my father owed $12k to 2nd ex-wife, that has to be paid first, and rest is split between my brother and me. I am aware that there are probate court cost - can you tell me how much it is?
I apologize if my sentences are not clear. I tried hard but I am aware that my english is not perfect and sometimes awkward. If you need any clarifications I will contribute.
Big Thanks for this forum!
I live in Illinois
Father lived in Minessota
My father passed in January 2005. I have not seen him for more than 15 years. I am his first son, from first marriage. There is also a second son, from second marriage. When my father died he was divorced.
He lived about 20 miles from his his 2nd ex-wife and son, so thery were first to know about his death - I was informed few days later, but not by them, they have never contacted me.
In the mean time father's family contacted me few times.
I was told that:
- My father left no will.
- In the days following his death his 2nd ex-wife came to his apartment and took some of his personal belongings (papers, some jewelery).
- He had bank account abroad where he had around $30k saved. A friend of my father contacted them and gave them information about the account. He suggested that 2nd ex-wife could try to get these money without splitting it.
- 2nd-wife sued my father several times for child support and my father owed her around $12k.
- 2nd ex-wife took care of cremation and funeral.
- Funeral was funded by the city, because 2nd ex-wife told them he had no family and relatives and no money to cover the costs (indeed my father did not have much with him, he rented his apartment, he was unemplyed, he owned old car and had some personal belongings of relatively small value, but since she took his papers she was probably aware of existence of the bank account).
I called probate court in the area my father lived, hoping to get some information and advice, but they gave no information - they said they have nothing concerning him.
I also contacted the bank where my father had an account, they were not informed about his death, and there was no beneficaries. I also asked them if anybody tried to withdraw funds - they said there was no activity lately.
I asked them to close the account, and to invalidate his bank cards.
I have no idea of intentions of 2nd wife. I am sure she knows about the bank account, and that she wants money my father owed her (for child support) and her son to get his share. If she wanted she could easily contacted me - she didn't. I just want to make everything right. I know she can be mean - she sued my father several times on different occasions, and made his life miserable. I just want get this done without problems.
- From what I found so far (thanks to this great forum) is that probate is necessary, first because father left no will nad second because the total amount is higher than $18k so that simplified procedure does not apply. Correct?
- I was wondering why a month after my father passed there was no case registered in probate court?
- How can I get information on what is happening with my father estate?(There should be a PR taking care of his belonging I guess).
- Who should I contact?
- What questions should I ask?
- Can this be done without involving a lawyer? I am afraid to get a lawyer because I do not have money, and the amount left by my father is not big also. And I read so much about dishonest lawyers in this forum that I am just afraid to be screwed...
- Most of your post suggest to get an attorney - how much can this cost me?
- So far I calculated that if my father owed $12k to 2nd ex-wife, that has to be paid first, and rest is split between my brother and me. I am aware that there are probate court cost - can you tell me how much it is?
I apologize if my sentences are not clear. I tried hard but I am aware that my english is not perfect and sometimes awkward. If you need any clarifications I will contribute.
Big Thanks for this forum!
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