Big Spring, TX Estate Planning Law Firms & Lawyers

You can make the claim. The family is going to say the services were gratuitous. There are deadlines for making a claim in an estate, so if you're going to do it, do it soon.

Your attorney should be able to answer all your questions as to your duties. If not, many probate courts have guides on their websites to assist. Go to your local county's probate court's website to see if they have a guide available for download.

I don't think there's a cut-and-dry answer to your question, especially without more information. As the mother of his children, it's saddening that he is being secretive with regard to the trust. If the children are minors, as their legal guardian, you may be able to demand an accounting of the trust on your children's behalf. However, some trusts are written in such a way that the trustee does not have to provide an accounting at the beneficiaries' request. It just depends on the wording of the trust. I think you'll have a particularly difficult time if the trust is a Revocable Trust. If you think action needs to be taken to protect the rights of the children under the trust, then you should contact an attorney in your area to see if you can get some movement.