My rich Great Aunt died.

[bif]

And left a ton of money to the family. But since my mom (her neice) passed away several years ago, my aunts and uncles decided they'd just keep all the money for themselves. I'm not pissed, but it somehow doesn't seem right.

[C_eh_N_eh_D_eh]

1. It's absolutely not right.

What does it say in the will? Did your aunt have it updated when your mom died?

[bif]

2. I never saw the will.

So I don't know.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

3. God I hate it when people die and it becomes a feeding frenzy...

What is wrong with people!?!?!? Please, people, for the sake of all that is holy, BE SPECIFIC IN YOUR WILL SO YOUR INGRATE FAMILIES DON'T HAVE TO FIGURE THIS SHIT OUT FOR THEMSELVES!!!! :grr:
There have been several deaths in my family over the course of my life, and every time someone dies, it becomes about getting their material possesions instead of about losing a loved one and grieving. People make me sick.
Duckie

[bif]

5. Truthfully, the money means nothing to me.

That's why I'm not going to do anything about it. Seems pretty dumb to get into a fight over money that someone else earned.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

7. Oh, I wasn't talking about you....

I was talking about your greedy aunts and uncles. Damn it was really hard not to curse when saying that. LOL
Duckie

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

4. My condolences

[bif]

8. Thanks. But she ws a bitter old bat that I hadn't seen in years.

She lived a couple hours away and I just couldn't bring myself to go visit her.

[eaprez]

12. but you'd love to have her money????

[bif]

15. The rumor is

That my cousin (who's mom also died) got something like $5000. So to start a family feud over that would be silly. Now if we were talking a mil, I might be willing to stir something up.

[Kadie]

17. I would fight for it, then donate it to my favorite charity.

Condolences.

[On the Road]

6. It Might be Worth Talking with a Lawyer

There should be many clear precedents. Do not simply accept it without seeing the will and understanding whether you have a case.

It's not selfishness on your part. Your great aunt had certain wishes on how her money would be distributed. Those have to be honored. The executor or administrator can make certain decisions, but this may not be one of them.

BTW, if you don't have a lawyer and don't want to spend a ton of money, you may want to sign up with prepaid legal at http://www.prepaidlegal.com/ They're only $16 a month.

And please post again when you find something out.

[candy]

9. Stop whining!

[stellanoir]

10. Wills are part of the public record

if you go to the town/city hall where she died you can find out what the will states. Probate is generally resolved within 3 months.

Condolances.

[GR]

11. This Is Wrong...You Should Get One Full Share....With Any Bros and Sisters

perhaps you could find an ally among them....

[underpants]

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Sorry to hear that bif.

[bleedingheart]

14. Disbursement of money from estates has ruined my family

so I am glad to hear you don't care. It may not seem right but to be honest I have found that those who want the money are typically those who are unable to handle it properly anyways. When my aunt died leaving a large estates her remaining siblings, my dad was dead, divided the estate among themselves and then proceeded to waste every dollar of it. Now none of them has squat...the only solace is that it probably helped fuel the economy in some form or another.

My mother still doesn't speak to her brothers over how they handled the estate of their mother...and it has been 28 years....that is just plain stupid.

[fairfaxvadem]

16. Nobody can "just decide".

Depends on how the will was written. It may stipulate that it only goes to those nieces and nephews that survive her or it may just name them, and your mom's share may go to HER heirs.

Out of curiosity, you should get a copy of the will at the court house to see how the aunts and uncles "just decided".