Inheritence not distributed?

[tpalopoli]

My wife's grandmother died nearly two years ago. Her daughter (my wife's aunt) was named the executor of her estate (we live in MI). We have received a little money here and there over the last two years directly from her aunt, with more to come pending the sale of my wife's grandmother's condo and final settlement of the estate. From what I understand from the attorney handling the estate there were stocks and bonds for my wife and our kids as well as a certain amount of cash (told to my wife a couple months after her grandmother passed away). I have no idea why those stocks and bonds have not been distributed or how long we are supposed to wait for this condo to be sold?

Something just doesn't feel right, but my wife is very hesitant to appear greedy or have much if anything to do with her aunt. I understand but am somewhat caught in the middle…I would hate for us to be strung along for years and end up losing any rights to everything her grandmother wanted for her and our kids. It would make a significant difference in our lives. She has never been close to her aunt at all so there is tension there.

So is it even legally possible for the executor of an estate to settle things without proper distribution as dictated by a will? Is there some way to find out everything going on? I would hate to confront the situation and be completely wrong, adding salt to some open wounds.

I apologize if these questions are naïve, I really have no experience with this sort of thing. Thank you for your time.

Tom

 

[seniorjudge]

Do what you should've done nearly two years ago:

Go to the courthouse where the probate estate is and ask for an entire copy of the file.

Also ask if it is possible to be placed on the service list so you can get notified of anything happening in the case.

This is NOT being greedy: it is being PRUDENT!:angel

 

[calalily]

Can you contact the lawyer who handled the grandmother's estate? Since he's the one who told you about the bonds, stocks, and cash, maybe he can help move things along, or explain why they haven't moved. Maybe the cash has to do with the sale of the condo? Maybe the bonds and stocks are for both your family and the Aunt and the little money you've been getting here and there is interest and dividends? Following Seniorjudge's advice might get you some answers to those questions. Let us know what happens!