Miami, FL asked in Probate for Florida

Q: Can I claim my grandmother's unclaimed money? No one wants to claim it, they think it's a scam. Am I a legal heir?

One of the requirements is a certified copy of legal probate documentation, dated within the past year, that reflects you are the legal heir or current representative for the estate of the deceased owner. My parents think that this is a scam. I know that it is not. We currently live in the same house that the money is owed.

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1 Lawyer Answer
Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
Answered
  • Probate Lawyer
  • Orlando, FL
  • Licensed in Florida

A: You would need and want to speak with a Florida Probate Attorney and they could advise you on the type of probate that would be applicable and necessary. Whether you are a beneficiary would have to be determined, was there a Will/Trust a surviving spouse and so forth, you are pretty far down the line, that would need to be determined and waivers signed potentially. Also, based on the estate value and sum you are talking about, will determine the type of probate, if you are seeking other assets, then a formal probate would be required potentially. A probate is not a cheap undertaking, probate attorneys often bill easily around $400 per hour to upwards of $550 per hour, so keep that in mind as well. Also, if no one is interested in this, any interested party can file a probate 9that would be you), the issue that arises is that once anyone gets wind of there actually being assets and a payday, then other potential or actual heirs start to get very interested afterall (that is usually how it plays out).

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