How to Find Out if You Inherited Anything
When a loved one leaves an inheritance for you, the executor of his will should contact you to advise you as to when to expect your money or property. Unfortunately, things don't always proceed as expected and you may need to go in search of your inheritance. If your loved one left a will behind, seeking your inheritance may prove easy. In the absence of a legal will, however, you may face a tougher process.
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Instructions
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Stay in touch with anyone you believe may include you in his will. If your loved one has your current contact information, family members or the executor can use it to contact you after his death.
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Learn the location of probate. Probate is the process through which a court interprets a will.
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Call or visit the court responsible for probate of your loved one's will and request the executor's contact information. The executor has the responsibility of tying up the deceased party's affairs. His legal responsibilities include informing you of your inheritance.
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View a copy of the deceased's will in the court that handled probate. A will stays a private document until its creator dies. Once the creator dies and the will goes through probate, it becomes a public document. As such, you can request to view a copy of it as filed with the appropriate court.
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Speak with a lawyer if your loved one died without a will and you feel entitled to an inheritance. In many states, laws dictate who receives the deceased's assets. In most cases, the deceased's spouse and children are first in line to inherit followed by the next closest relatives.
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Pay an inheritance attorney to search for an unclaimed inheritance on your behalf. Keep in mind, however, that such attorneys typically charge high fees for such services.
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Conduct your own search for your inheritance on unclaimed money websites. Such sites help individuals find money and property to which they are entitled.
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Tips & Warnings
Non-relatives often face a difficult time obtaining assets from a deceased party's estate if he did not create a legal will. Typically, his closest family members have the right to inherit from the deceased's estate. If you are hoping to inherit something of sentimental value to you, speak with the deceased's next of kin. He may agree to give it to you if he does not feel sentimentally attached to it or knows the deceased party wanted you to have it.
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