How Do I Find Out the Value of My Ex-Mother-in-Law's Estate?

06/21/2010 - Wills and Estates - State: AR #22433

Full Question:

When my mother-in-law died, I had been divorced from her only son for 10 years. There are two adult boys from the marriage. I had been married to my ex for 36 years when we divorced. I saw her will when her son and I were still married and I was to share equally with her son in her estate. I never saw an amended will but my ex says that I was not included in her will. What should I do? After living her son for 36 year I should at least be entitled to 'hazard pay'.Also, I know the approximate value of the estate and my boys are supposed to have CD's in there names at her bank; however, I believe that my ex is not telling the boys the truth about the value of the CD's. They are both in their forties and have six children between them and could really use the money. How can I determine how much my ex mother-in-law's estate was?

Answer:

When a will is probated, it is filed with the court and becomes a public document unless it for some reason is ordered sealed. Filings by the executor, such as an inventory of the estate are also public documents. You may contact the clerk of the probate court where the ex-mother-in-law resided for information on obtaining the file. Certain assets are transfer on death assets that are not included as part of the probate estate. Assets held in a policy with an insurer or financial institution with a named beneficiary, typically pass outside the probate process. Such assets go to the named beneficiary outside the probate process. If the CD is a transfer on death account, it passes outside the probate process.

Please see the information at the following links: http://definitions.uslegal.com/t/transfer-on-death-tod/ http://definitions.uslegal.com/h/heirship-affidavit/ http://definitions.uslegal.com/s/small-estates/ http://smallestates.uslegal.com/affidavits-and-summary-administration-laws/arkansas-small-estates-law/ http://definitions.uslegal.com/j/joint-tenancy/

06/21/2010 - Category: Wills and Estates - State: AR #22433

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