My mother and my grandfather were not in communication in the years close to his passing. My step grandma and my mom didn't get along at all. I never saw the will, but my grandfather used to tell me all the time that he was going to make sure us boys (my brother and I) were going to live like kings when we had our own families. I wasn't in the loop, so to speak, when he passed away and didn't find out of his death untill well after, more than a year had gone by. I don't know any of the details of his death and my mom will not speak of him or his estate. She inherited the house grandpa had bought for us in 1994 when my parents split on account of abuse issues. We grew up in the house. God bless you grandpa. I haven't been able to reach out to see if my step-grandmother is alive or not. I don't know of how to search for her what happened to them or the estate. How can I begin to uncover the past with no money for private investigators or attorney fees? I don't want the memories to go untold. I want our families to be on the same page and for us to know what happened. If you have any advice I would like to hear it. Thanks for listening.
Do you know anyone local who could call at the address and see if step-GM is living there? Or perhaps the police? It’s an obvious first step!
People talk but do not follow thru. Grandpa may not have made a Will or changed it. He may have had an illness that used up what money he had. If no Will the State determines who inherits. Wife and children are first. Grandkids only come into the picture when the wife and children are deceased.
Look up your Grandfather's obituary on-line. His name, town and state. It may mention what his passed of. If not, see what charities are being mentioned that donations can be sent to in his memory. If its Heart Assoc or Cancer then you pretty much know what he died of.
His wife, do the same thing, put her name in search with town and State and see what comes up. Some info will tell you the address where they live and phone#.
You do not need investigators or lawyers with the internet. Its been ten years and there may not be any info out there.
Would a minor need to sign anything or ???
If you can not find anything it is possible that he had a trust, that doesn't get probated. Anything with a named beneficiary doesn't get probated.
Did your mom get the house upon his passing? She would have been privy to the will or trust as a beneficiary. Unless this was a transfer on death.
It is very common for the wife to get everything. You and your brother may not have been named in his will or trust, so prepare yourself for that outcome.
Were you a minor when grandpa died?