contesting a will?

Question

I was married 15 years to my ex-husband , we had one son. My husband told me if I would pay his life insurance premiums every month, he would put our names on the policy as beneficiary. So for 15 years I paid all his insurance premiums. When we separated, He told me the life insurance policy was worth about $100,000 and he was going to take our names off as beneficaries.. He died about a month ago, and his wife has filed a petition to probate his will. The article is addressed to and names my son and all and singulair heirs of said decendent , and to whom it may concern, This is to notify you to file objection , if there is any, to the above referred petition in this court on or before April 2, 2007.My ex-husband also had an insurance policy at the hospital where he worked. I am having so much trouble trying to find any lawyer who will help me. Time is running out. My son deserves his share. Please if anybody can help me, my e-mail address: [e-mail]

Answer 1

She's only filed a petition to probate the will. The only objection at this point would be if you think that's not the latest will, or if you think it was invalid for some reason. You didn't say you've even seen that will, let alone have any objection to it.

At any rate, if that's the stage it's at, they're a long way from dividing the money.

You can go to the probate court and look at the file, and see just what this will she's offered says. There's no reason to hire a lawyer until you know that.

If the will leaves your son out, then you want a lawyer, look under "estate lawyers" in the book, or get a referral from one you know. What you do next depends on how your state laws are. Leaving a son out might render the will totally invalid, or may entitle him to the same share he'd get if the ex died with no will, or may not matter at all to the law. You have to get someone that knows.

Now, if you're concerned with the life insurance policy, you know who you paid for 15 years. Contact them, and ask them if it was still in force, and who the beneficiaries are. It's possible that your ex never changed the beneficiaries, or that he let it lapse.