Q: Do I have to sign a disclaimer of interest on my mothers estate/probate in FL? And if I don't what will happen?
My mother passed Nov 8th 2017 without a valid will. My brother hired a probate attorney and insists I have to sign a disclaimer of interest. Matter of fact he has become very verbally abusive over it. He claims everything is his..house, van, all my mothers belongings. My other brother and sister signed from what he says. I live 3000 miles away and I am unable to go down to the the court house and look at what was filed. I also need to add I was legally adopted back in 1975. And the probate attorney will not except my certified birth certificate. she says she wants a copy of my adoption papers which could take years to unseal my records. the probate attorney seems very bias/ she is my brothers friend. I didn't even know about the probate being filed until another family member mentioned it to me. The probate attorney refuses to speak with me even though I provided her with my legal birth certificate an valid DL. My brother is claiming if I don't sign the creditors will take the house.
A: This is interesting since I'm licensed in Idaho and Florida. Although I haven't done a lot of probate work, it seems that there are a couple of red flags here. I'd recommend having your own attorney review the progress of the case thus far. If you need a referral for an attorney in Florida, let me know.
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