My mother died with no will. My stepsister and my aunt forged my mother's death certificate and took all of her money

Question

My stepsister forged my mothers death certificate by saying she is my deceased mothers child, but in fact she is not related to my mother at all. The funeral director knowingly lied also, as he had conducted my step sisters mothers funeral a few years before my mother died. I was out of state working and my stepsister and aunt planned and paid for everything (paid for everything using my mothers money) barely giving me enough time to make it across the country to PA with my six children. My mother had just settled a wrongful death claim on my father. My aunt, right before the lawsuit check came, opened a bank account with my mother and her on it, then proceeded to deposit the lawsuit check in the newly opened bank account. Also at the time of opening of said account my mother was not of sound mind to agree to opening such accounts. I did not find any of this out until a few months after my mother passing. Is there anything I could do to get access to my mothers assets? If so who?

Nina Whitehurst · Answer

All of the acts you describe are wrongful, and the law does supply remedies for such wrongful acts, but you are going to find it very difficult to pursue your remedies on your own. Start by scheduling an appointment with a probate litigation attorney in the vicinity of where you mother had lived.

Q: My mother died with no will. My stepsister and my aunt forged my mother's death certificate and took all of her money