3-9-2002
DEAR SSCHEU:
If your great uncle's estate was relatively simple and uncomplicated, it should have been probated through court in a couple of months. Looks like they are trying to keep you in the dark or stalling you so they won't have to pay up. The only valid reason that you would not be paid yet is if there was not enough money left over in the estate after all debts and estate expenses were paid.
Did you ever see the will?
You need to call or write to the county courthouse probate court of the city where your uncle died to see if the will has been filed for probate yet. If you can visit the courthouse in person, you can look at the file and all the other documentation in it to see how the estate was handled.
It's very strange that the executor attorney has not called you back to give you information one way or the other about whether you are a beneficiary.
After you get more information about the estate, you will be in a better position to know whether you need to contact the attorney/executor by certified letter (so you can prove you made contact with him--phone calls are not good enough to get the job done), or whether you would need to get your own attorney to start claiming the money you are due. With a little bit of checking on your own, you should be able to find out enough information to get the money yourself without having to pay an attorney.
Be a little bit more aggressive about standing up for your rights and you will eventually get what is coming to you. They are giving you the brushoff.
SINCERELY,
advisor
