What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? I live in Texas, Probate was in Vermont
The first thing I need to do is get all of the probate papers from the Washington County courthouse in Vermont. Are these public records? Can I just call and have them shipped to me for a fee?
The second question that I have (and really more important then the first) is this: Well story first
My family has had the same lawyer for almost 35 years. When my grandfather died back in the 80's he handled the estate, when my father died back in the late 90's he handled the estate and when my grandmother died a five years ago, he handled the estate. I don't know anything about my grandfathers estate as I was just a baby. But when my dad died, it was a huge ordeal and my siblings and I really got screwed by my uncle (dads brother) who the lawyer (executor) allowed to go in the house and sell/take what he wanted first, even though he wasn't in the will AT ALL. All of us were pretty young at the time so we didn't fight it or question it. However, when my grandmother died, I was a bit older and wiser and started listening to what was going on.
My grandmother left her house to her 3 children. My uncle, my aunt and my father. Sense my father had already passed away his portion went to his children. There are 4 of us. My uncle moved into the house and started remodeling it, taking a mortgage on the house to do so. He paid my aunts portion to her and we were told we would get our portion within a year. This was five years ago and as of today, we still haven't received a dime. None of us ever signed anything about this house or really anything on my grandmothers estate yet. So we own a portion of it, how do we go about getting our money for it?
My grandmother also left us each $6000 to be given to us on our 30th birthdays. My older sister turned 30 last year and got EXACTLY $6000. It took her 3 months to get the money. The lawyer wouldn't return any phone calls. It finally took a certified letter and one week later she had hers...without any interest. I want to get an accounting of mine. I turn 30 in 2 years and I want to get an accounting of mine. I want to know what institution is holding my money, how its invested, how much interest its accruing, etc. Am I entitled to this information? Would a letter to the lawyer be justifiable?
This lawyer was a family friend and he sided with my uncle on everything and really screwed us children when my dad died. My father owned a ski shop that sold for 1/2 million dollars when he died, none of us ever saw any money for that and we have reason to believe my uncle and the lawyer were behind that too. I think its too late to do anything about my dads estate as it was a decade ago, but I want to make sure my grandmothers is handled correctly.
Any tips, suggestions and the like would be so appreciated!
Thanks!
The first thing I need to do is get all of the probate papers from the Washington County courthouse in Vermont. Are these public records? Can I just call and have them shipped to me for a fee?
The second question that I have (and really more important then the first) is this: Well story first
My family has had the same lawyer for almost 35 years. When my grandfather died back in the 80's he handled the estate, when my father died back in the late 90's he handled the estate and when my grandmother died a five years ago, he handled the estate. I don't know anything about my grandfathers estate as I was just a baby. But when my dad died, it was a huge ordeal and my siblings and I really got screwed by my uncle (dads brother) who the lawyer (executor) allowed to go in the house and sell/take what he wanted first, even though he wasn't in the will AT ALL. All of us were pretty young at the time so we didn't fight it or question it. However, when my grandmother died, I was a bit older and wiser and started listening to what was going on.
My grandmother left her house to her 3 children. My uncle, my aunt and my father. Sense my father had already passed away his portion went to his children. There are 4 of us. My uncle moved into the house and started remodeling it, taking a mortgage on the house to do so. He paid my aunts portion to her and we were told we would get our portion within a year. This was five years ago and as of today, we still haven't received a dime. None of us ever signed anything about this house or really anything on my grandmothers estate yet. So we own a portion of it, how do we go about getting our money for it?
My grandmother also left us each $6000 to be given to us on our 30th birthdays. My older sister turned 30 last year and got EXACTLY $6000. It took her 3 months to get the money. The lawyer wouldn't return any phone calls. It finally took a certified letter and one week later she had hers...without any interest. I want to get an accounting of mine. I turn 30 in 2 years and I want to get an accounting of mine. I want to know what institution is holding my money, how its invested, how much interest its accruing, etc. Am I entitled to this information? Would a letter to the lawyer be justifiable?
This lawyer was a family friend and he sided with my uncle on everything and really screwed us children when my dad died. My father owned a ski shop that sold for 1/2 million dollars when he died, none of us ever saw any money for that and we have reason to believe my uncle and the lawyer were behind that too. I think its too late to do anything about my dads estate as it was a decade ago, but I want to make sure my grandmothers is handled correctly.
Any tips, suggestions and the like would be so appreciated!
Thanks!