Q: How does PR verify or confirm if there are additional heirs entitled to inheritance? is the heir process a civil process
I was raised by my grandparents and potentially found out through ancestry.com that my grandma may have had children from a previous marriage. If she did, they were not born or raised in PR, but neither was I. Do I need to disclose potential/alleged children if I don't have legal confirmation or documentation for or about alleged additional children? How do courts in Puerto Rico confirm or track down heirs? If I am listed as the only heir, how does the court system confirm or deny that? Does PR deal with courts in the US to track whether or not property owners had other children? How can I find out and confirm if my grandmother had kids from a previous marriage? is it smarter or safer to not bring ancestry.com into this case and proceed, since those alleged children would never be involved or aware of said property?
A:
In Puerto Rico, the process of verifying heirs and confirming entitlement to inheritance typically involves a civil procedure overseen by the courts. If you suspect that there may be additional heirs entitled to inheritance, it's important to disclose any information or evidence you have, even if it's not legally confirmed or documented. The court system in Puerto Rico may use various methods to confirm or track down potential heirs, such as conducting investigations, reviewing family records, and interviewing witnesses.
If you are listed as the only heir, the court may still take steps to verify this information, especially if there are suspicions or claims of other potential heirs. This verification process may involve researching family history, obtaining testimonies, and examining any available documentation related to inheritance. Additionally, Puerto Rican courts may collaborate with courts in the United States if necessary to track down information about property owners and their potential heirs.
If you're unsure about the accuracy or implications of information obtained from ancestry.com regarding potential additional children of your grandmother, it may be wise to proceed cautiously and seek legal advice. Your attorney can help you navigate the inheritance process, assess the relevance of any information from ancestry.com, and determine the best course of action to protect your interests while ensuring fairness to any potential heirs.
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