Bronx, NY asked in Estate Planning and Probate for New York

Q: How can I settle my paternal Uncle's estate, in Puerto Rico, from NY, after having paid a Lawyer who disappeared?

My father's eldest and last surviving brother, passed away in December of 2016, leaving behind a property & bank accounts, which have gone unclaimed. I helped my Dad find a Lawyer who, was paid a retainer of nearly $3000 but, did nothing for which he was paid -- in fact, he has ignored my phone calls, emails,etc. I live in NYC and am unable to travel to Puerto Rico, due to financial constraints. The Lawyer was paid to draw up a Declaration of Inheritance, as well as Power of Attorney, so that I could travel to the Island to represent my Dad, who is visually impaired, however, after months of corresponding and phone calls, he "disappeared", leaving my father with my Uncle's estate in limbo and my father out of nearly $3000. I fear that the Lawyer may have emptied out my Uncle's bank accounts and also fear that my father may have already lost my Uncle's home, due to my inability to properly claim the property, by completing the Probate process, after nearly 4 years. HELP!

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1 Lawyer Answer

A: As a first step, you could contact an attorney in Puerto Rico who handles Estate Matters. You could also repost your question under Puerto Rico (follow the link that says "Show More States.") There are attorneys who practice in Puerto Rico who are active on this Q & A board. You could contact one of them, or you could search for an attorney on your own. Good luck

Tim Akpinar

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