Monroe, OH asked in Estate Planning for Indiana

Q: Who do I need to contact if a relative dies without a will and had no lawyer?

My grandmother passed away with no will and no lawyer contact information. My father (her son) is still living and has taken things such as jewelry, her vehicle, bank and credit cards into his possession. With no will do these things automatically go to him?

Related Topics:
1 Lawyer Answer

A: If your relative died with no will and you believe that a probate estate should be opened, you should contact a probate attorney in county where your relative lived to discuss setting up a probate estate.

Assets do not automatically past to surviving kin without probate or a probate alternative or device, like a transfer on death designation (TOD) or beneficiary designation.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.