Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in New Jersey

Forged signiture on decedent's vehicle. My father passed away Sept. 2005. After a long legal battle I have seen a vehicle on the final accounting of the court appointed estate administrator. I was not aware of this vehicle because I lived in another state for some time and only spoke with my father on the phone for his last few years. This vehicle is part of the estate assets of which are to be dispersed between three parties and my brother is not one of them. I began to ask questions about this vehicle from other parties invloved and found out this vehicle was illegally transferred to my brother by way of forging my father's signiture on the title. He has since sold the vehicle. I know for a fact it was a forgery because it was done after my father's passing and this can be proven. When I asked the estate administrator about this vehicle he stated that he only knew the make and model but not its year and value. After asking more questions from parties involved I was told this vehicle was an older model and not worth much now. Well of course its not worth much now but it was worth more back when my father passed and since has depreciated in value. When I spoke to the estate administrator about it's value he said this was the case and didn't seem to care and was more concerned about the thousands of dollars he squandered by taking so long with settling the estate and has since adjusted some of his fees accordingly. I think he's trying to downplay the illegal activity of this vehicle to get this case out of the way.This vehicle was part of the estate and at present time probably not worth much but I feel my brother should face prosecution for this. My brother also stole my father's coin collection that he used to be so proud of but there is no proof of it's inventory but that's another story. So my question is, should I inform the state's motor vehicle services or call the police department in the town that the forgery occured or has the statute of limitations run out on this? I can't be sure of when it was forged but I am assuming it was done shortly after my father's passing all I do know is it was done. Please help me decide what would be the initial step. Thankyou


Asked on 12/14/09, 1:38 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Jonathan Chester The Law Office of Jonathan S. Chester, Esq., LLC

Yes. This is certainly the type of case that the authorities can't wait to get involved with....you know...negligeable dollar value, no proof. all the type of things that prosecutors really want to spend time on...when they can be prosecuting real crimes.

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Answered on 12/20/09, 7:40 pm


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