How do my siblings and i collect our dead fathers investments, property and family photos, from our step mothe

Question

my father remarried at 50 years old to a woman 20 years his jr. and her 3 kids. after their marriage she was so jealous of us and afraid he might give us a penny, it got to a point where we had to sneak to see him. Well he died 1 week ago and his wife will not even give us a picture of him or any of his belongings. When he got sick with dementia she got DPOA of him and all his money and had his name removed off all accounts,of money he had before he met her, because she never worked and was a welfare queen when he met her and put it into her kids names. so now his 6 children have nothing not even our family pictures. Am i wrong in wanting half of his prperty for his real children. we loved him very m

much, but she will not tell us nothing. please email me at [e-mail]

Answer 1

The best thing you could do is talk to a Lawyer about it.  Even if it's in her name or she has power of attorney you may be able to sue for some of the things in the house (such as pictures and other sentimental items).  If you can't afford a lawyer there are many public assistance programs out there such as "Legal Aide".  They will be able to help you at low or even free of cost.

Good Luck.

Answer 2

Depending on where you live you could be entitled to a certain portion of his estate.

Answer 3

This is an easy question - take her to court, if you can afford it. You need to talk to an attorney. You MIGHT have grounds to contest the estate sounds like. She probably left a paper trail of things she changed around, but as his legal wife nothing is wrong with that. But see a lawyer! You may or may not have grounds....

Now, you probably don't want to hear this, but I have to tell you; I'm sorry because this is going to hurt - BUT...this is partly your Dad's fault. Your dad should have prepared a will before he died and he should have had his affairs in order. We are all never to young to have a will. I'm 36 and I have one. We are never to young to have life insurance. Your dad didn't handle his business. I know this hurts to hear. Legally, the wife is entitled to everything, that's why IF someone wants provisions made they do so in a will. Your Dad was so caught up in his life that he forgot to take care of his affairs. She has a right to the photos.

This is a lesson for all of us reading - talk to your parents about their affairs and get yours in order. You can write a will on a sheet of paper and get it notarized and give a few copies to family members. Your father put you all in a bad situation; he married a welfare queen, his choice and now you might just have to live by HIS choices. Those weren't your choices, but his. He loved her for whatever reason and you may have to have to live by that. Sad but true!