My sister was made executor of my grandmother's estate 11 years ago. The money was to go to the grandchildren for college. Her children did not need the money. Mine do. To date she has not done anything and we have no idea where the money is. What can we do?
Thanks for your question and good evening.My sympathy for the dilemma.The grandchildren as legal heirs have rights.They would begin by checking with the probate clerk in the county where grandmother deceased.They can check the probate file and see what has or hasn't been filed.They can contact the judge here about the failure to distribute the funds.They may also need to consider a lawyer here and a lawsuit if necessary.The sister had a fiduciary duty to administer the estate and distribute any assets that were left.They will need to get copies of everything in the probate file and they can provide these to a local probate lawyer.The lawyer can investigate and file suit if necessary.But certainly when you are able to view the file here you can at least see what was listed in the inventory of the estate and then write the judge about the situation.And they may need a lawyer if you uncover wrongdoing on the part of the sister.If the sister has misappropriated funds they may need to pursue it in the courts here to recover their funds and other damages for breach of the fiduciary duty .There certainly would be no legitimate reason for the executor not to distribute any remaining funds and the heirs here may pursue recovery through the courts if necessary.Lawyer referral if they need to pursue this in Arizona where grandmothers probate is filled.
Maricopa County Lawyer Referral Service Phoenix, AZ Phone:(NNN) NNN-NNNN Counties Served: Maricopa
Pima County Bar Association LRS Tucson, AZ Phone:(NNN) NNN-NNNN Counties Served: Pima
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Thanks again for letting me help you.I hope the grandchildren pursue the funds that they are due.
Here is court locator for Arizona for them to locate the probate file.https://www.azcourts.gov/AZCourts/AZCourtsLocator.aspxCheck the county here where she deceased.Many of the counties have some online information.Here is an example..http://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/docket/ProbateCourtCases/caseSearch.asp