Q: My father passed but did not have a will. I am an only child and he was not married, just a longtime girlfriend.
Aside from the institutions he had active accounts with, I do not know of any other resources I need to be aware of. How can I find out who else I need to speak with?
A:
You can go through his papers and personal effects, if you have access to them, in order to try to identify other assets he may have had. You could also find out if he had a power of attorney, or some other person who was helping him with his bills, etc. Depending on the value of all the assets, you may or may not need to open a probate estate to administer the assets.
As always, you get what you pay for. Be sure to talk to a qualified attorney about your specific situation before choosing to rely on information you get from internet discussion boards such as this one.
A:
There is no 'one way' to do this, although Mr Harris' suggestions are good places to start. You can also look at his recent tax returns as they should disclose investments and property you may not already know of. His girlfriend may also be of assistance.
You don't mention vehicles or land, both of which are 'titled' and you can get info from the Secretary of State of the County Register of deeds for those items as well.
The BEST single piece of advice I can provide is to find a local estate planning/probate attorney in the area where your father lived. Talk one on one with that attorney and there may be other options that come up. Good luck.
--This answer is provided for informational purposes only and does not create an attorney - client relationship. If you need legal advice you should consult with a local attorney. I am licensed to practice in Michigan only.
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