VERY URGENT!! Is this legal for an attorney?

[tonsoffun20778]

Maryland
An attorney sent me mail about a relative of mine who was very wealthy that died in an auto accident. He did not have a will made before his death. The money will be forfieted to the bank if not claimed. I'm claiming it but the attorney wants to claim 55% of his assets and 45% to me. I'm going to give him a percentage of the assets to him for finding me. I just feel that the % he wants is too high. Wouldn't it be my choice if i wanted to give him anything at all and not his? Cause i can choose not to claim it then he would not get anything and niether am i. I need an answer asap if anyone could. Much Thanks!

 

[BlondiePB]

Maryland
An attorney sent me mail about a relative of mine who was very wealthy that died in an auto accident. He did not have a will made before his death. The money will be forfieted to the bank if not claimed. I'm claiming it but the attorney wants to claim 55% of his assets and 45% to me. I'm going to give him a percentage of the assets to him for finding me. I just feel that the % he wants is too high. Wouldn't it be my choice if i wanted to give him anything at all and not his? Cause i can choose not to claim it then he would not get anything and niether am i. I need an answer asap if anyone could. Much Thanks!

Somethings just do not add up, tonsoffun20778. When no one claims an estate, the estate escheats to the state not a bank. Is this attorney the court appointed executor of your relative's estate? If so, the attorney will be paid executor fees. Do not sign anything. You need to hire an attorney (pay him/her by the hour not a percent) in the county where probate is taking place. You had a big "red flag" come up with the percentage amount this attorney has requested. IMO, it is too much. Get your own attorney asap.

 

[Dandy Don]

Please mention the name of this relative and the city/state where the death occurred so I can look up some asset locator databases to see if this source of funds is available. How much is it?

Was this unclaimed funds that had not previously been claimed, or insurance money or benefit money or other assets of the deceased that had not yet gone through probate court?

Depending on your description of what this money is, I can find out the correct percentages you are supposed to pay by law. There are different rates for unclaimed funds and executor fees. Do NOT sign anything he gives you yet since you will need to negotiate with him to get him to charge you a lower fee (but if you are interested in the document, go ahead and ask him to send you a fee agreement--just to see what it says--don't sign it). You may not even need an attorney if you can confront him with what the law says the stated fees are and he will have virtually no choice but to acquiesce if he wants to be paid something and not nothing.

DANDY DON IN OKLAHOMA ([email protected])