allocation of funds in bank account from deceased father 20 years agp

[funwithterri]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Arizona
My stepdad died in a nursing home in 1991 without a will leaving behind his wife and 4 adult stepchildren. Since his death my mother also has passed and I recently discovered an active bank account in his name containing a large amount of money. As his stepchildren do we have any legal claim on distribution of these funds. We're unclear as to what our options are and what steps to take. Please help!!!!
Any advice will greatly be appreciated!

Thank you
funwithterri

 

[Dandy Don]

Does he have biological children that would still be alive?

First you need to check at the county courthouse probate court to see if ANYONE filed an intestate probate (meaning without a will) proceeding for this man, and if so, look at the file to see who the administrator/executor was and notify that person about this money.

If not, then come back to the message board and let us know this fact so that we can advise you of your next step.

DANDY DON IN OKLAHOMA ([email protected])

 

[funwithterri]

Stepfather's bank account

He may have 2 children, one I believe is incraustered and have not spoke to each other 20 years prior to his death. If there is a second child I have no idea where or who.
The county courthouse does not show anything being field.

Thank you so much for your response!

 

[Farfalla]

You should see an attorny aobut this. It could get complicate as first the asset needs to be probated through his estate. It would be distributed according to law to his heirs. Clearly your mother is one of them if not the only only one. Than it will need to be probated as part of her estate.

You will need to look for all heirs... they can be children, his siblings, his parents, etc and of course his wife. I could be as simple as publishing for a period of time.

This is far to complicated for a message board.

 

[Dandy Don]

I think you meant incarcerated if you meant he might be in jail or in prison. It should be simple enough to check the county sheriff/jail offender lookup records or state prison/department of corrections database to see if he is still there. If not a private investigator can help locate this person for about $100-$200 but discuss this first with the attorney.