Q: Family law
My brother passed away in 2017, he was living with his girlfriend of 20 years. My father was the next of kin and was never called and she made all the decisions. Our family has tried to ask her questions about finances etc but she has shut all of us out....do we have any rights?
A:
If she did not open an estate, you or you father have a right to open one and be appointed administrator.
As such you have a right to all information concerning your brother.
It may very well be that everything was jointly owned by him and the girlfriend.
If so, there would be nothing to probate.
Bottom line, you can spend your money to get appointed.
If you find nothing, you are out what you spent.
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