Q: Our stepmother deposited an insurance payout into her personal account instead of the estate. Criminal act?
She mishandled Dad’s estate so poorly that the judge appointed a public admin but it appears as though she’s still stealing. I’d like to find out how to press criminal charges, if warranted. I have requested that she attest under oath that there are no other hidden assets- wondering if this request is warranted as well?
A: Contact the public administrator and relay your concerns. If the PA can find a paper trail of mismanagement and/or theft, they can see that charges are brought against your stepmother. Depositing estate funds to her personal account is at a minimum commingling funds.
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