Ineed to know how to find information regarding my grandmothers estate which has been in probate .?

Question

I would like to write a letter to my family requesting this information a letter stressing to them that I want to know why I have not been updated on any of the probate processs,and that I do not appreciate being left out of this family matter

A good website on how to write letters.

Answer 1

More information is needed:

(1) Did your grandmother die testate or intestate?

(2) Was there a probate or administration actually opened in the probate court?

(3) What state and county? Do you know the names of the personal representative and attorney for the estate?

(4) If there was a will probated, are you mentioned in the estate as having a vested bequest?

My first step in finding out information would be to contact the personal representative. If you are mentioned in the will, he should know and provide you with a copy of the will. If you are an intestate heir, he should be know.

Please be aware that it takes time to administer an estate. I have seen some situations where people will expect to get their money on Friday when grandma died three days ago. It takes time.

Usually a petition for letters of administration in Pennsylvania will list the names and addresses of all beneficiaries. http://dsf.chesco.org/wills/lib/wills/pdf/petition2005.pdf Also, in Pennsylvania, beneficiaries are required to receive a notice of beneficial interest within three months of the decedent's date of death: http://dsf.chesco.org/wills/lib/wills/pdf/certnotice.pdf

There are many things that are done in an estate that do not require notice. However, as a matter of courtesy, the personal representative will often send beneficiaries a copy of the estate inventory and perhaps a copy of the inheritance tax return if the decedent's state of residence requires an inheritance tax return.

Often personal representatives will give notice of a public sale where real estate or items of personal property are being sold in order to give the beneficiaries an opportunity to bid on the land or items of personal property if they wish.

The only other thing that would require notice would be the termination of an estate. Most estates are terminated on the basis of a receipt and release (which should be accompanied by an accounting of the receipts, disbursements, distributions, and capital gains and losses in the estate), or on the basis of an accounting with proposed schedule of distribution presented for review, audit, and confirmation by the court. Local orphans' court rules (probate or surrogate's court rules) would require notice of the filing of the accounting along with a copy, giving the beneficiaries and other parties in interest a certain length of time (usually a month)to file an objection, if they so desire, and stating an approximate date at which time the court would issue a decree affirming the accounting and proposed schedule of distribution.

Answer 2

File a special civil action of intervention in the probate court of the estate of your grandmother praying that you must be notified of the proceedings as an heir to her estate.