Q: I have a probate problem and more than 1 question, is there someone I can speak to?
My dad died before I was 1, he wasn't married to my mom, he was a military vet (Master Sergeant) who served from 1941-1967 and died in 1977, I wasn't mentioned in his probate papers,bi was taken from my mom rt after and raised in foster care, I'm his only living relative and I want his personnel records, I want to find out what happened with his estate and benefits, he has unclaimed money I don't know how to claim and I'm pretty sure he was exposed to things in the army that killed him
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
- (916) 704-3009
- View Profile
- Answered
A:
I'm sorry to hear about your situation. Navigating probate, estate matters, and military records can be complex, especially given the circumstances you described. Here are a few steps you can take to gather more information and seek assistance:
1. Military records: To obtain your father's military personnel records, you can submit a request to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) using Standard Form 180 (SF-180).
2. Unclaimed money: Check with the unclaimed property office in the state where your father last resided or any states where he may have had financial accounts or property. Each state has its own process for claiming unclaimed funds. You can start your search at the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators website: https://unclaimed.org/
3. Estate and probate matters: Contact the probate court in the county where your father lived at the time of his death. They may have records of his estate proceedings and can provide information on how to access these records. If you believe you were improperly excluded from the estate, you may need to consult with a probate attorney to discuss your legal options.
4. Veterans benefits: Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to inquire about any benefits you may be entitled to as a surviving child of a veteran.
Given the complexity of your situation, it may be beneficial to consult with a legal professional who specializes in probate, estate, and veterans' affairs. They can provide personalized advice and guide you through the process of obtaining records, claiming benefits, and addressing any issues related to your father's estate. Some organizations, such as legal aid societies or veterans' support groups, may offer low-cost or free legal assistance to those in need.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
