My dad died when I was 9, my mom gets money for us every month but im 18 now should i be getting inheritance?

Question

My friend brought this to my attention today.

I'm 18 years old as of May 2008 and my dad died January 2000 when I was nine years old.

Shouldn't I have gotten inheritance? My dad was 32 when he died.

I'm not trying to be greedy, my mom is a monster and I'm just trying to get out of her house, I have a job so don't bring that up.

Answer 1

If your parents were still married when he passed then almost certainly no.  Typically when a spouse passes the other spouse inherits all his things.

Sorry to say.  That is not to say that dad didn't have money put aside from life insurance or something to help you pay for school and such, but to expect a big payout, don't get your hopes up.

Answer 2

What did your father's will say?  It's entirely possible that everything was left to your mother and you don't have an inheritance.

What is the source of the monthly funds your mother receives?  It is likely social security being paid to your mother to assist in providing food, shelter, and clothing for you.  

If you are now 18 and no longer in school, those social security payments will stop.  If you go to college, you can get the funds in your name for a few more years.

If the funds your mother receives are from some other suvivor beneft program, you may not be entitle to any of it.

Answer 3

It depends on if he left you anything in the estate.  You may have to get a lawyer to figure this all out if you mother is not going to be cooperative.  She may have been getting social security all these years.  That might end for you since you are now an adult with a job.  You would also be looking for a trust that should be yours at age 18-or later depending on how it was set up.  You need to talk with your mother and probably get a lawyer.

Answer 4

Most likely not, if a lawyer has not yet contacted you.

Although if it is a small amount of money, you may have to contact him.  Find out who the lawyer, law firm, or bank is who handles the money and ask them if you are named as a separate beneficiary.

If I had to make a WAG, I would guess that -- at age 9 -- your mom was likely the only named beneficiary of life insurance proceeds or a trust at the time of death.  In that case, only your mother will benefit unless she changes it by adding your name.

On the other hand, if she is receiving benefits in your name either the trust says "age 21" or it's a really sloppy outfit that administers the money.  

Answer 5

Unless your name was on the will as a direct  heir and benefactor (or some kind of trust fund was set up for you) you're out of luck. She's the spouse, she gets it and that's that.