Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in New York

Family Money Left Behind

My Aunts father(my grandpa) left her a $100,000 to use to survive on her own if she finally left her husband. If she did not leave her husband or she passed without using the money it was to be split amongst her surviving siblings as per my grandfathers wishes. We as a family know the money was not used and was in a savings account hidden from her husband and children. We are now being told that ''she didn't leave a will'' as per her daughter which none of us believe.

What can we do to A) see if it is still even there B) see if she had a will and C) get the money to split amongst her siblings? We worry her daughter may have stolen the money impersonating her dead mother because she was doing so with my Aunts credit cards after her death but her daddy refused to press charges.


Asked on 3/23/09, 2:59 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

jeffrey lazroe Jeffrey A. Lazroe attorney at law

Re: Family Money Left Behind

I don't know at this time exactly how your grandpa's will read. Was the money held in trust pending leaving the husband or dying, or was it distributed to your aunt at the time of the grandfathers death.

I don't think having a will is important, because even without a will her husband ( if they are still married) and her children would be the sole beneficiaries, and you would be exclused..

So get a copy of the will and see how it is distributed.

If you need further assistance, please feel free to contact me.

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Answered on 3/25/09, 1:37 pm


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