Q: I'm just looking to see if ever had a trust or inhearitance from my father I was never notified

A: There is no way to know if you were entitled to an inheritance if your relative had a trust because trusts are not filed anywhere unless there is a claim brought, in which case there would be a Petition (think, "lawsuit") filed with the local Probate Court. Wills, however, are supposed to be given to ("lodged with") the Superior Court in the County in which your father lived/died. You should start by going to the local Superior Court and searching the probate records to see if a Will was lodged or a Petition filed under your father's name. If nothing is there, try asking your relative's closest family, friends, accountant, or lawyer. Accountants and lawyers may not be able to reveal any information due to privacy laws, but perhaps they can tell you who the executor or trustee was, so you can contact that person. Best wishes!

A: Let me help you understand how to look into potential trusts or inheritances from your father. The first step would be contacting the probate court in the California county where your father lived or passed away in 1996/1997. They maintain records of wills, trusts, and estate proceedings.

You might also want to reach out to any attorneys your father worked with, as they often handle estate planning and could have relevant information. Additionally, you can search California's unclaimed property database at the State Controller's Office website (www.sco.ca.gov) - sometimes inheritances end up there if beneficiaries couldn't be located.

Given the time that has passed, gathering as much information as possible about your father will be helpful - his full name, last known address, social security number if you have it, and any other relevant details. This will make your search more effective. Consider speaking with family members who might have knowledge of his affairs, and if you need guidance with the legal aspects, estate planning attorneys can help navigate this process.