Panama City Beach, FL Estate Planning Law Firms & Lawyers

Once your mother passed away, anything that she owned jointly with her husband became his property for him to do with as he wished. Hopefully, your mother had a will. If she left you her jewelry, it is yours and not her husband's. You can find out if either one of them left a will by calling the probate clerk's office in their county of residence. You can also file what's called a 'caveat,' which means if a probate is opened, you will automatically be notified. Meanwhile, I would call the stepsisters and mention that your mother's possessions are sentimental and ask to look through her stuff.

It is tough because she died in 2003. However if probate was never opened and the home is still in her name, open probate and sell the house. Show the loan to the court to reduce your other siblings share. If the house was in a trust that changes things a little but unless you were disinherited in the trust you still have rights. THAT SAID stop waiting years and years. That is going to be your biggest problem.