Q: Grandmother passed in WA 2013. Executor never contacted me but siblings and cousins inherited. How do I see the will?
Executor is in AK, where I also live. I do not know if I should have been contacted or if I should have inherited. There was a will and I would like to see it. Executor has always been unresponsive.
A: Alaska Native. It would depend on what your grandmother's Will says to determine if you should have received notice or inheritance. If no Will, then her heir (her children/spouse) would inherit under intestate laws. No grandchildren would automatically be included, could be, but not automatic. If your siblings inherited (any you all are blood relatives), then you should have. But it depends on the Will. If a Will exists, you can find it in the county where her probate was executed. A copy is open for public viewing. There you can see who the beneficiaries were. The County can help you get a copy of the Will. The Executor may have executed the probate properly but the Will will verify that possibility. If she/he did not, you will be able to see the Declaration of Completion closing the estate and stating that he/she notified everyone necessary and paid the bills and distributed to the right people. It is questionable for your siblings to inherit without you, but there are other possible reasons. The grandmother's child dies, and the heirs (your cousins) may inherit. I would contact the court in that county and find the Will and closing papers to see what happened, then contact an experienced probate lawyer in that county for help. You may or may not have anything to claim.
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