Philadelphia, PA asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Puerto Rico

Q: My father died in 2021. His known descendant is me (his biological daughter). However, he claimed another young

lady as his daughter too, that I don’t think is biologically his. Will this young lady have to provide proof that she is indeed an offspring of my father’s to inherit a portion of his estate?

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1 Lawyer Answer

A: You don’t state what form did your dad’s recognition of your (apparent) sister take. If your dad recognized her as his legal daughter in a Last Will & Testament, she would only need to provide proof of identity. With no Will, you’d both need to go before the court for a Declaration of Heirs Petition, in which case, both you and she would need to present birth certificates. Both of you have an equal right to your late father’s estate.

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