My mother passed in 7/2014 my niece has taken over the property and her name was in my mothers bank accounts.

Question

not live in Puerto Rico how much does it cost to hire a lawyer? to resolve the property and whats happen when someone dies? She did not have a mortg the house was paid for no debts.  My niece does not communicate with me and she made herself owner she is only the granddaughter what are my rights and how should I handle this?

Jonathan Craig Reed · Answer

Most probate attorneys will give you a free phone consultation. If the niece was a joint owner of the bank account or a payable on death beneficiary of the bank account, the niece would normally get the bank account proceeds. The county recorder where your mother's house is located may have a public website that shows ownership by address and name. You could check and see if the house was solely in your mother's name (probate required) or in joint tenancy with your mother and niece.  
 
But again, call some probate attorneys in the area your mother was a resident and you will probably get some quick free consults (and cost estimates if you want to hire someone). A lawyer can give much more advice in a five minute conversation than by spending five minutes typing in an answer. But, don't call me because I am not licensed to practice in Minnesota; call someone local in Minnesota.  
 
Personally, I would rather talk to someone on the phone for a few minutes to see if my representing them would be of mutual benefit than make an in person appointment. So your being in P.R. should not be a problem in terms of talking to a few Minn. lawyers.

Q: My mother passed in 7/2014 my niece has taken over the property and her name was in my mothers bank accounts.