How to receive copies of all documents and a full accounting of all assets?

[Steffenfield]

I finally heard back from the trust attorney guy who was there for the drafting of the will.

He wants a non refundable fee, a retainer, and $200 an hour that also includes him reading (taking time) on me asking how much for his services.

Seems fair enough, but being charged retroactive on how much it will cost by just asking, makes him a bit of a jerk.

I'm going to try and call Legal Aid on Tuesday.

I do believe I qualify for this.

Thank you all for the help.

I would be so lost without those who have posted here and I am very grateful.

 

[Dandy Don]

You should not be too inclined to hire the services of the trust attorney who was there for the drafting of the will, since he was probably hired by your adoptive sister, and since she was his client, he is going to be biased towards her interests, NOT YOURS, and is not going to give you a complete and honest picture of what actually happened with the trust. He is going to be protective of her by not wanting to give you any information.

If Legal Aid does not assist you, you should retain the services of your own trust attorney. If you work, can't you afford to pay for just one or two hours of an attorney's time? Let him know upfront that you are of limited financial means and give him the 16 page trust agreement that you already have so he can review it.

 

[Steffenfield]

Okay.

I'll be sure to find someone else.

I only asked how much to retain his services in my simple email to him.

To be answered with a non-refundable fee (not mentioned) and also a retainer, along with $200 an hour starting from the time of me just asking this, seemed a little rude.

That little detail of being immediately charged on asking how much I would need to pay him felt weird.

I went through the Legal Aid website, answered their very nice introduction and easy to click flowchart thingy, but for some reason, I didn't hit any matches for an attorney.

I was left with their number though and I should probably call that soon.

For me to hire a lawyer, means my adoptive sister will need one too.

The thought of most of his estate going to waste on legal fees makes me sad.

My father was a great guy, and I would rather have my adoptive sister keep that value, than giving it away to legal counsel.

I just wish she would be accountable without the need of the courts.

 

[Steffenfield]

I called Probate Court, and after 15 months, my adoptive sister has yet to file on the estate.

I'm also having the worst time trying to find an attorney.

What would be in my best interest in hiring legal services?

Again, I don't think I'll be able to drive out to the probate county on this matter.

One who is nearest to me so that I can review and sign paper documents?

One who lives at the county where this takes place in case there is a need to appear in court?

Or would finding anyone/anywhere online be acceptable?

I'm not sure of the procedures with probate but I most likely will be requesting to have her removed as an executor.

I don't care who she is replaced with, just not her.

 

[adjusterjack]

Trusts are designed to eliminate probate because, when properly used, the trust owns the trust creator's assets (homes, cars, bank accounts, etc) so your "name" would not have appeared on any ownership documents because the trust would be the owner of those items. Your "name" wouldn't have been removed from ownership.

A trust names a trustee, apparently your sib, to handle the assets, after death, in accordance with the terms of the trust.

You wrote that you were mentioned fondly in the trust. How else were you mentioned?

A trust typically names beneficiaries to whom the estate is distributed and what percentage goes to which.

At the very simplest, a trust might say "Trustee sell everything, pay debts, divide the rest 50/50 between the two beneficiaries."

What does your father's trust say about stuff like that?

With regards to a trust attorney, my two cents worth is that you first consult a trust attorney where you are located, pay for an hour for him to read the trust and explain your options.

Then you can decide about hiring a trust attorney in Muskegon.

One thing you can do (if real estate is involved) is look up property records in Muskegon (Assessor or Recorder) and see how the ownership reads (trust or your father). Either way it's an important piece of information.