You have raised many issues that need investigation. I strongly recommend that you consult with a probate attorney. Once your attorney knows all of the facts, he can advise you as to what must be done to enforce your legal rights as a surviving spouse.

Did your father die before or after your grandmother? If your father died before your grandmother, then you (and any siblings you might have) are entitled to his portion of your grandmother's estate. If he died after your grandmother, then it was his place to seek his portion of his... View More

Sorry to hear you are having to deal with this. What your aunt did was illegal, assuming she is not legally entitled to the items. If she will not cooperate with you and return the items so that they can be distributed pursuant to the will, I recommend that you contact an attorney for legal... View More

As a legal adult who has not been declared legally incapacitated you can live where-ever you want.

Assuming you can financially manage that living situation. AND assuming it is OK with your probation order.

Without seeing the probation orders it is impossible to say for sure, as... View More

Just 'not showing up' for a court hearing is a recipe to allow the court to find against you for no reason since there is no defense raised! Don't do that. Seek local legal representation to determine what you SHOULD do instead.

Don't 'just ignore it' -- it... View More

A small estate affidavit's purpose is to make it easier to obtain property of a decedent that died without much. If there are no assets you want or need to collect, there is little reason to use a small estate affidavit. Her debts are not your obligation unless you separately guaranteed or... View More

No, you DO need representation. If you don't know how to do this yourself and you need help, whoever is going to help will be representing you. If you can figure this out on your own, then yes, you don't need representation, but you also don't need the guidance of someone on this... View More

You need to consult with a probate attorney in the state and county where your father lived at the time of his passing. Most every state has its own rules about spouse's shares of estates and what happens if someone doesn't update a will after a remarriage. The nature of how property was... View More

You will need to repost this question in the MO section of Justia. This is the Colorado section and a Colorado attorney cannot represent or provide advice in a state that they do not licensed to practice.

If it isn't owned as joint tenants then it passes pursuant to your sibling's probated will, or if no will, then pursuant to the Missouri laws of intestacy.

The short answer is 'yes'. There MAY be ways to shorten the process though depending on the value of the property so it is wise to hire a local probate attorney both to insure that this is done correctly, and also to insure there isn't some better option available. I have seen MANY... View More

It could be either place. If you file the primary probate in Missouri, you'll do an ancillary probate in Pennsylvania, or vice versa. Small estate procedures may also be available in one or both states. Contact experienced probate counsel in both states for a more definite prognosis.... View More

It depends on how your sister in law structures the bequest. As a beneficiary to a financial account? No it doesn't go through probate. As a 'gift' in a will, then yes it does. There are pros and cons to each method (as well as many OTHER methods to do this) so your sister in law... View More

Too many questions unanswered here. Was the trust an inter-vivos trust or a testamentary trust? Was it formed during the Trustor's life? Or was it formed after his death under the terms of his will? When did the Trustee begin serving? The extended family member -- was he/she a Trustee of... View More

Many states have "small estate" procedures by which probate can be abbreviated or avoided altogether by the execution and possibly filing of an affidavit. Check the probate rules and statutes for your state. The clerk of court or the DMV may also be able to advise you if you call them.

If the house was properly titled to mom and son as joint tenants, the house won't need to be probated. Check with a Missouri probate or real estate attorney to see if it was properly titled as joint tenants and have the lawyer draft an affidavit of death of joint tenant or other document to... View More

You will need an attorney to proceed with the determination. The petitioner must appear and affirm the statements made in the original petition and whatever other facts the Court deems necessary.