Los Angeles, CA asked in Estate Planning and Probate for California

Q: My father passed away. No family member has shared the will to me. And they have filed paperwork. What can I do?

3 older sisters involved . I’m the youngest. And then there is the younger ,greedy widow.

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3 Lawyer Answers
Nina Whitehurst
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Answered
  • Estate Planning Lawyer
  • Crossville, TN
  • Licensed in California

A: If someone has opened a probate you can get a copy of the will from the court. It is public record. If not, you can open probate yourself and that will smoke out the will. You should hire a probate attorney to help you.

Jeffrey Louis Gaffney
Jeffrey Louis Gaffney
Answered
  • Estate Planning Lawyer
  • Carlsbad, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: Go look up the documents.

Go to the Probate Court for the county where he lived and look him up. If there is a Will then it was filed there and you can see it. If not, then you will find out if the family has started other proceedings. If there is no Will, then you are entitled to a share of the estate.

Chris M. Bradford
Chris M. Bradford
Answered
  • Estate Planning Lawyer
  • Santa Monica, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: If they have "filed paperwork" then it sound like a probate. Go to the courthouse and ask where the probate records are filed. Ask to see the file. The will should be attached to the Petition for Probate. Pay 50 cents per page and get a copy of the will.

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