Bowie, MD asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Maryland

Q: father died. Will said house goes to ex-GF and everything else to me. GF said will sent to probate but still no proof

Father died April 2017. GF took the housed said she had filed the will in probate court a year ago. I checked today and still nothing was filed. Could something be amiss? Could she be collecting his retirement checks and other payments without my knowledge? How do I protect my interests?

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2 Lawyer Answers
Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
Answered
  • Estate Planning Lawyer
  • Potomac, MD
  • Licensed in Maryland

A: You should retain counsel to file a probate petition. Filing the Will is merely a first step. And, yes, I’m the meantime, she might be committing all sorts of frauds.

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
Answered
  • Estate Planning Lawyer
  • Rockville, MD
  • Licensed in Maryland

A: Consult a lawyer to confirm what has or hasn’t been filed, and then if no estate has been opened, you should petition to open the estate and be named PR.

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