Q: My father passed away a month ago. He died intestate. He had a small estate. My sister is keeping everything. How ?
He had a life insurance policy, a savings account and checking. She is on checking account. She was not on savings and beneficiary of insurance is deceased for 20 years our mother. Can't get a lawyer to return call. How can she do this. Avoid probate. I have called 7 lawyers no one returns call.
A: I'm very sorry for your loss. It's possible that your sister is keeping everything because she was a joint owner or payable-on-death beneficiary on your father's bank accounts. It's also possible that your father changed his life insurance beneficiary before his death and could have named your sister. You would need to pay a probate attorney's hourly rate to contact your sister (or her attorney if she is represented) to ask for more information.
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