Q: Why does my sister have to pay a lawyer to get my deceased mother's house in her name?
My mother died from a terminal illness. After mom passed away my sister said she didn't leave a will but later on she said she found a will and mom had left me her car . I also asked her about my mom's bank account cause the hospital just gave my sister my mom's debit card, she said she didn't know, that she thinks they closed the account?I feel like my sister is being dishonest with me about my moms estate. She says she's having to pay a lawyer to get mom's house in her name. Does that have to be done? Why does it have to be done that way ? I was only supposedly left the car but nothing else and my sister is getting my mom's house and all her possessions? Does it sound like I'm being played ? Sorry for all the questions but I need answers . Thanks
A: This does not sound at all like you are being played. When a person dies, everything he or she owned in his or her individual name (with no beneficiary designations) must go through a legal process called probate in order to get those things transferred to the intestate heirs (no will) or beneficiaries of the will (if there was a will). Most people find that they need a lawyer to help with this court process.
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