How to find out about administrator, will and estate?

[jm_spm]

What is the name of your state?My father lived in Minnesota
I live in Illinois.

Few days I got informed that my father died.
I am his first son, from first marriage. He also had second son, and second he divorced.
I did not have any contact with my father for more than 10 years, so I know very little about him. I do not know his last address.

Here is what I know.
- probably there is no will.
- his second son was appointed administrator


Now, I know very little about my rights and responsibilities. i would be very grateful if you could answer my questions.

1) People who informed me about my father told me that they reminded his second wife (because her son is administrator) about my existence. She replied it is good to know, and she will send me the bill for all ceremonies.
I think she has no right to do that. Is this correct?
I am obliged to pay for anything?

2) My fathers family want his ashes to be brought to europe. On the other way, his second wife told them she want him to be buried where he lived , as fast as possible. I think the reason for this is money, but I do not agree with this.
As his family, I also want my father's ashes to be sent to europe.
Who decides about this? How can I contradict if the decision is not what I and father's family want?

3) I think that there is no will left, but I still would like to verify this. Where can I check this? I don't have last address of my father - can I get it somewhere?

4) Father's family suggested that his second ex-wife, and her son (administrator) may try to fraud the estate. I don't know them, so I don't know if I can trust them or not.
I found on the web that for some cases, if there is no will, the court my simplify the procedure, and all things are done by the administrator, with minimal involvement of the court.
How can check the state of this case?

5) I have no idea if my father was poor or rich guy.
Is there any way I can check what he left?

6) Is administrator supposed to contact me, or I should contact him? How do I get his contact info?

7) How long it usually takes to settle all things related to person's death?

Thanks!
JM

 

[seniorjudge]

JETX...what is your recommendation? (seniorjudge wants to know)

1) Is this correct? No
I am obliged to pay for anything? Not unless you sign to be responsible for it.

2)Who decides about this? His wife; she is the next of kin.
How can I contradict if the decision is not what I and father's family want? No.

3) Where can I check this? Go to the courthouse in the county where he died and ask at the probate court.
I don't have last address of my father - can I get it somewhere? JETX has a database recommendation. Maybe he will see this and give it to you.

4) How can check the state of this case? Go to the courthouse in the county where he died and ask at the probate court.

5) Is there any way I can check what he left? Go to the courthouse in the county where he died and ask at the probate court.

6) Is administrator supposed to contact me, or I should contact him? How do I get his contact info? Go to the courthouse in the county where he died and ask at the probate court.

7) How long it usually takes to settle all things related to person's death? There is no way to tell.

 

[jm_spm]

Follow-up

2)Who decides about this?
His wife; she is the next of kin.

Is she next-of-kin even if they divorced?
When he died he had 2 ex-wives, and two sons (and his family).

Aren't my step-brother and I next-of-kin?
And shouldn't his second ex-wife have anything to say, because of the divorce?

5) Is there any way I can check what he left?
Go to the courthouse in the county where he died and ask at the probate court.

Do I have to go there, or is it possible to get all this information by mail/phone/internet?

Thanks!

 

[seniorjudge]

Is she next-of-kin even if they divorced? No.
When he died he had 2 ex-wives, and two sons (and his family). Then his two sons are next of kin.

Aren't my step-brother and I next-of-kin? Yes.
And shouldn't his second ex-wife have anything to say, because of the divorce? Did he leave a will? (I know...you don't know; but you need to know before anyone can answer.)

5) Do I have to go there, or is it possible to get all this information by mail/phone/internet? I do not know. Try.

BTW:
You said he was married: "1) People who informed me about my father told me that they reminded his second wife (because her son is administrator) about my existence."

 

[jm_spm]

Then his two sons are next of kin.

Getting back to the question. Can the other son (administrator) decide without me?

Did he leave a will? (I know...you don't know; but you need to know before anyone can answer.)

Most of my questions are based on assumption that there is no will, that is what I was suggested by father's family.
I wish that the will existed - it would make all things much easier and peaceful...

Thanks!

 

[BelizeBreeze]

At a minimum, you need to discover the facts as soon as possible. Therefore, you need to either go to the location where your father died and check the probate court for a filed protate action which must be filed in order for an administrator to be apointed. If there was a will, it will also be in the probate file.

You can either do this yourself or by hiring a probate attorney to look into the matter for you. but you need to do something now.

 

[seniorjudge]

Getting back to the question. Can the other son (administrator) decide without me?


Most of my questions are based on assumption that there is no will, that is what I was suggested by father's family.
I wish that the will existed - it would make all things much easier and peaceful...

Thanks!

I must point out the unpleasant fact that your father is already buried. To have him exhumed and then cremated and then have his ashes shipped to Europe would be horribly expensive.

 

[jm_spm]

I must point out the unpleasant fact that your father is already buried.

I believe he is not. Otherwise his family wouldn't contact me. They want him cremated and his ashes sent to Europe, and the other son (and ex-wife) probably want to bury him as fast as possible, and take his assets. (at least that is what father's family suggested).

I need to know if I can "legally" influence this decision.
Can the other son decide himself?

 

[seniorjudge]

I believe he is not. Otherwise his family wouldn't contact me. They want him cremated and his ashes sent to Europe, and the other son (and ex-wife) probably want to bury him as fast as possible, and take his assets. (at least that is what father's family suggested).

I need to know if I can "legally" influence this decision.
Can the other son decide himself?

That's right; Minnesota! Winter!

You are right; they are waiting for the spring thaw to bury folks up there.

Then get to Minnesota if you want to have any influence. You and your half-brother need to make a decision.

 

[jm_spm]

That's right; Minnesota! Winter!
You are right; they are waiting for the spring thaw to bury folks up there.
Then get to Minnesota if you want to have any influence. You and your half-brother need to make a decision.

Ha ha ha...

Thanks for other answers though...