How would one go about getting royalties(old movies and tv shows) and whatever else from a deceased relative?

Question

A cousin of mine was in a bunch of old western shows and movies. He's been deceased since the 60s so I'm not sure if any of his personal effects would have been held anywhere. However I'm wondering if perhaps there are royalties owed to his estate. Would there be, and as his closest living relative, how would I get anything?

Answer 1

If your cousin died in the 1960s, and you ARE the closest relative, then you already would have been aware of his estate, or personal effects.  Legal heirs are found and notified at the time of a person's death, and are a matter of record.

If he had a valid will, when he died, and left it all to his best friend, then any will takes precedence.  So.. if his estate went to someone else (legally), then that person has those rights, and any rights FROM THERE would go to the friend/ estate/ relatives.

If you really are not sure.. then the route is to verify his date/place of death, and search the probate records for that county, and see what happened to his estate (if there was one).